SK Broadband has deployed Harmonic’s Direct-2-Edge 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 landmark 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 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.

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.