- Telecom and Cable Service Provider in Alaska Chooses Harmonic''s Full-Band Transport System for Bandwidth Expansion -
SCTE Cable-Tec Expo 2009 Booth #11107
Harmonic Inc. (NASDAQ:HLIT) today announced that General Communication, Inc. (GCI), a provider of voice, video and data communication services to residential, commercial and government customers throughout Alaska, has deployed Harmonic''s SUPRALink™ 1550 nm DWDM transmission system and PWRBlazer™ segmentable nodes to expand bandwidth capacity across its network. Cable operators around the world are deploying Harmonic''s SUPRALink technology to cost-effectively increase fiber reach. GCI also utilizes Harmonic''s market-leading NSG™ edgeQAMs for its video-on-demand service.
GCI is transitioning from a centralized broadcast/narrowcast architecture with optical combining at the hubs to a distributed architecture using IP transport and full-band SUPRALink transmitters at the hubs for transport to the nodes. In addition to increasing bandwidth to the home, this approach improves reliability by eliminating single points of failure, simplifies node segmentation, and makes the network easier to troubleshoot.
“Harmonic''s HFC access and digital video solutions enhance the reliability, performance and efficiency of our cable network,” said Dave Smith, Project Manager at GCI. “Over the years, Harmonic has continued to provide innovative solutions for our HFC architecture. The SUPRALink system is a high quality solution that enables us to put in place a scalable, distributed fiber-deep architecture.”
Incorporating patent-pending technology, Harmonic''s SUPRALink solution cost-effectively delivers up to a four-fold increase in fiber reach over 1310 nm systems. SUPRALink is the industry''s first system to support up to eight wavelengths per single fiber over link distances of up to 40 km with optical amplification, for up to 1 GHz of both digital and analog content per wavelength.
“SUPRALink is being deployed by MSOs throughout North America and around the world,” said Sunil Frida, Director of HFC Solutions for Harmonic. “Its unique design increases fiber reach without requiring an increase in the number of fibers, freeing up fiber for commercial services or cell tower backhaul applications. This solution offers a clear savings in capital expenditures, and because it is an all-passive network, it provides a savings in operating costs as well for the cable operator.”
Harmonic''s full range of flexible fiber-based transmission solutions includes 1310 nm and 1550 nm CWDM/DWDM digital transport, scalable nodes and analog/digital return path systems. Using advanced technology that leverages the operator''s existing outside plant and minimizes operating costs, Harmonic''s fiber-deep and FTTH broadband network solutions deliver a wide range of services for leading cable operators around the world.
About GCI
GCI is the largest telecommunications company in Alaska. The company''s cable plant, which provides voice, video, and broadband data services, passes 90 percent of Alaska households. GCI operates Alaska''s most extensive terrestrial/subsea fiber optic network, which connects not only Anchorage but also Fairbanks, and Juneau/Southeast to the lower 48 states with a diversely routed, protected fiber network. The company''s satellite network provides communications services to small towns and villages throughout rural Alaska. GCI is in the process of constructing Alaska''s first truly statewide mobile wireless network, which will seamlessly link urban and rural Alaska for the first time in the state''s history.
A pioneer in bundled services, GCI is the top provider of voice, data, and video services to Alaska consumers with a 70 percent share of the consumer broadband market. GCI is also the leading provider of communications services to enterprise customers, particularly large enterprise customers with complex data networking needs. More information about the company can be found at www.gci.com.
About Harmonic Inc.
Harmonic Inc. is redefining video delivery with the industry''s most powerful solutions for delivering live and on-demand video to TVs, PCs and mobile devices. Harmonic''s 20 years of technical innovation and market leadership enable the company to offer a unique and comprehensive solution portfolio—including encoding, transcoding, content preparation, stream processing, asset management, edge processing, and delivery. Broadcast, cable, Internet, mobile, satellite and telecom service providers around the world choose Harmonic''s IP-based digital video, software, and broadband edge and access solutions. Using these award-winning and industry-leading solutions, operators can reduce costs and differentiate their services by offering consumers a higher quality, personalized multi-screen experience.
Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with R&D, sales and system integration centers worldwide. The company''s customers, including many of the world''s largest communications providers, deliver services in virtually every country. Visit www.harmonicinc.com for more information.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27(A) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21(E) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements related to: expanding bandwidth capacity across GCI''s network, and enabling GCI to put in place a scalable, distributed fiber-deep architecture.
Our expectations and beliefs regarding the capabilities of Harmonic''s SUPRALink™ transmission system and PWRBlazer™ segmentable nodes and the anticipated benefits for GCI may not materialize, and actual results could differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in Harmonic''s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its recent Reports filed on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Harmonic does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements.
EDITOR''S NOTE - Product and company names used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Contacts:
Harmonic
Sarah Lum, +1-408-543-2392 (Media Relations)
sarah.lum@harmonicinc.com
or
StreetConnect
Michael
Newman, +1-408-542-2760 (Investor Relations)
hlit@stct.com
