SK Broadband Taps Harmonic for Commercial Launch of Cable IPTV to Date

Harmonic Inc. said that SK Broadband Inc., a Korean integrated telecommunications company, has deployed Harmonic's Direct-2-Edge (D2E) solution - encompassing Harmonic's NSG 9000 universal edgeQAMs and D2E control software - for the world's largest commercial launch of cable IPTV to date.

The deployment enables SK Broadband to provide a uniform broadcast IPTV service across its cable, xDSL, and FTTx access networks, providing substantial operational efficiencies and advantages. Subscribers can also receive uninterrupted, high-speed Internet access of up to 150 Mbps to the home, powered by Harmonic's NSG 9000 using a modular CMTS (M-CMTS) architecture and delivered to a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem.

Harmonic's D2E solution addresses the significant challenges associated with delivering DOCSIS-based video content over traditional M-CMTS architectures. By eliminating the expensive routing of video streams through the CMTS, Harmonic's "by-pass" approach provides an estimated 70 percent infrastructure cost savings. SK Broadband, previously Hanaro Telecom, serves approximately 6 million subscribers. The new IPTV service was initially offered to subscribers in the Seoul area and now is rapidly expanding to other provinces.

"Harmonic has a longstanding track record of technology excellence, and they were the optimal choice for this project," said Chan Woong Park, Senior Vice President of the Network Technology Division at SK Broadband. "The support Harmonic provided SK Broadband was outstanding, and their solutions are seamlessly integrated with third-party modems and set-top-boxes. Harmonic's solutions provide SK Broadband with numerous technical advantages and tremendous flexibility while enabling the rapid rollout of our cable IPTV service."

"SK Broadband's next-generation IP network enables exciting new service offerings while enhancing revenue opportunities," said Gil Katz, Senior Director of Cable Solutions at Harmonic Inc. "A clear industry leader, SK Broadband was Korea's first telco to launch video-on-demand with their innovative Broad&TV service, and they were one of the world's first operators to deploy a wideband DOCSIS 3.0 data service. Harmonic's Direct-2-Edge solution provides the technical foundation for this innovative deployment, and we continue to develop game-changing solutions that enable our customers to achieve the full potential of IP video delivery over cable networks."

Winner of the CableLabs Innovation and CSI Product of the Year awards, Harmonic's Direct-2-Edge solution determines the optimal flow of video and data traffic, sending video streams directly to IPTV set-top-boxes, personal computers, or other IP devices. Harmonic's highly flexible solutions integrate seamlessly with existing M-CMTS architectures used for data delivery, providing significant cost and time to market advantages. D2E is optimally suited for hybrid operators deploying a uniform IPTV service across varied access networks and greenfield operators transitioning to all-IP transmission.

Harmonic Inc. is a provider of versatile and high performance video solutions that enable service providers to efficiently deliver the next generation of broadcast and on-demand services including high definition, video-on-demand, network personal video recording and time-shifted TV.

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