SES AMERICOM Adds Harmonic’s Advanced Scrambling Technology to IP-PRIME IPTV Distribution Platform

ProStream™ 1000 with ProCipher™ AES Scrambling and Bulk Descrambling Technology Simplifies Distribution of Hundreds of Programs Simultaneously

IP-PRIME to Be Showcased at TelcoTV, Booth #220

PRINCETON, N.J. AND SUNNYVALE, CALIF. — OCTOBER 24, 2006 — SES AMERICOM, an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges: SESG), and Harmonic Inc. (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced the integration of Harmonic’s latest video encryption technology with SES AMERICOM’s IP-PRIME™ IPTV distribution service. The new Harmonic ProStream™ 1000 with ProCipher™ AES scrambling and bulk descrambling technology is a key component of IP-PRIME, which enables large and small telephone company operators and broadband service providers across the U.S. to securely, easily and cost-effectively deliver a full lineup of top quality programming to consumers.

For IPTV operators seeking to accelerate their time-to-market and reduce risk, IP-PRIME offers a fully-managed solution, which includes the origination of more than 200 channels and reliable Harmonic ProCipher encryption, delivered from the SES AMERICOM IPTV Broadcast Center in Vernon Valley, New Jersey and then seamlessly transported to the headend at the telco’s central office and ultimately to consumer homes. The IP-PRIME drop-off solution enables telcos to take over the programming signal once it arrives at the operator’s video headend.

“Secure transmission of video content over the IPTV network is a critical requirement for telcos deploying video services,” said Alan Young, Chief Technology Officer for SES AMERICOM. “With Harmonic’s versatile ProStream 1000 scrambling and bulk descrambling technology, we are able to offer telcos a highly reliable way to transport and distribute hundreds of channels. The ProStream’s integrated scrambling, descrambling and re-multiplexing capabilities give SES AMERICOM and the telco operators using the IP-PRIME service more flexibility and a simpler way to deliver secure video to the consumer.”

“SES AMERICOM’s IP-PRIME service with the ProStream encryption is the world’s first implementation of this unique encryption technology within a single 1-RU system,” said Nimrod Ben-Natan, Vice President of Solutions and Strategy for Harmonic Inc. “SES AMERICOM has played an important role in helping Harmonic to define the requirements for the AES bulk decryption technology implemented in this project. At Harmonic, we are committed to working closely with our customers to develop and deploy creative and technically advanced solutions that meet their business and technology needs. In this case, the unique ProStream solution with ProCipher AES encryption not only reduces cost and complexity in the IP-PRIME network, it also streamlines the encryption and delivery of aggregated video services.”

The IP-based ProCipher technology provides a unique, scalable and high performance AES encryption solution, with the capability to support bulk descrambling of up to 128 services in one rack unit. Harmonic’s ProStream 1000 is the industry’s first solution that can be easily scaled and configured to provide a wide range of digital video stream processing functions—including multiplexing, scrambling, bulk descrambling, re-encoding and SFN over IP—within an integrated system. In addition to simplifying operations, its compact design saves considerable capital expenditure and facilities space required for traditional receiver/decoder solutions.

About IP-PRIME
The fully-managed IP-PRIME solution brings together the world’s leading IPTV components and technology partners—including Globecomm, Harmonic, NDS, Scientific-Atlanta and Siemens—creating an end-to-end service with encoding, middleware, scrambling/descrambling, content protection, conditional access, service management and integration services. More than 30 television programmers and networks representing more than 120 channels to date have signed IP-PRIME transport agreements, marking the programming community’s overwhelming approval of the secure IPTV service. Currently, providing beta trial service to telcos of all sizes throughout the country, IP-PRIME is set for commercial deployment later this year. The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), which supports rural utilities offering services to millions of U.S. households, is in the advanced stages of end-to-end IP-PRIME field trials in three states, while BellSouth has been testing the IP-PRIME headend solution for nearly a year.

About AMC-9
IP-PRIME is delivered via SES AMERICOM’s AMC-9 satellite, which is ideally suited for delivering critical services with its high power C-Band payload and high service availability across the US. SES AMERICOM’s industry-leading record of reliability enables the innovator to provide the carrier class service that telcos expect. AMC-9 is one of more than 40 satellites in the SES GLOBAL fleet.



About SES AMERICOM
The largest supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES AMERICOM is recognized as a pioneer of global satellite communications services. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the launch of its first satellite, the company today operates a fleet of 18 spacecraft in orbital positions predominantly providing service throughout the Americas. As a member of the SES GLOBAL family, SES AMERICOM is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region of the world via a fleet of 44 satellites. In addition, AMERICOM Government Services, a wholly owned subsidiary, is dedicated to providing satellite-based communications solutions to both civilian and defense agencies of the U.S. government. With its combined operations, SES AMERICOM serves broadcasters, cable programmers, aeronautical and maritime communications integrators, Internet service providers, mobile communications networks, government agencies, educational institutions, carriers and secure global data networks with efficient communication and content distribution solutions.

About Harmonic Inc.
Harmonic Inc. is a leading provider of digital video, broadband optical networking and IP delivery systems to cable, satellite, telecom and broadcast network operators. Harmonic’s open standards-based solutions for the headend through the last mile enable customers to develop new revenue sources and a competitive advantage by offering powerful interactive video, voice and data services such as video-on-demand, high definition digital television, telephony and Internet access.
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.

This press release contains 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 the integration of Harmonic’s latest video encryption technology with SES AMERICOM’S IP-PRIME IPTV distribution service.

Our expectations and beliefs regarding the capabilities of ProStream 1000 and the benefits of the IP-PRIME service 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.

Contact Information

Monica Morgan

SES AMERICOM

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