Harmonic and CommScope Combine Product Offerings for Cable FTTH Solution

Harmonic’s Forward Path Transmitters and Return Path Receivers Combined with CommScope’s BrightPath System; Leverages Existing HFC Architecture –

Philadelphia - SCTE Cable-Tec Expo Booth #1753 . - Harmonic Inc. (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced that it has worked with CommScope, Inc. to assure compatibility of products to provide cable operators with an integrated high speed fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) solution. Harmonic’s MAXLink™ forward path transmitters and return path receivers combined with CommScope’s BrightPath system enable cable operators to implement a cost-effective RF over glass (RFOG) architecture for greenfield type deployments. Integrated with the existing headend infrastructure and consumer premise equipment (CPE), this solution is a prudent use of capital and reduces traditional operating expenditures while dramatically increasing available bandwidth to the home. The new solution also allows cable operators to offer a competitive solution to telco-based FTTH architectures with a true all-fiber cable solution.

CommScope’s BrightPath system is a simple and cost effective fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) alternative to the existing telco passive optical network (PON) designs and is designed to meet the specific needs of cable operators. The strength of the architecture is that it can be applied as needed within the HFC network, leaving the operator’s current headend equipment model intact. Analog and digital services for video, voice and data match existing protocols in both the forward and reverse path.

Harmonic’s MAXLink™ family of transmitters and high-power optical amplifiers is designed for 1550 nm-based network applications. The MAXLink system provides a cost-effective solution for a variety of applications and architectures, including long-haul transport and fiber-dense architectures. The forward path is used in conjunction with the widely deployed high-gain return receivers at the headend.

“In today’s highly competitive environment, the ability for cable operators to have a solution available to be able to respond to the telco architecture is crucial. This solution does not require a ‘fork-lift’ of the typically capital intensive cable headend equipment,” said Sunil Frida, Director of HFC Solutions for Harmonic Inc. “Harmonic’s forward and return path systems combined with CommScope’s unique BrightPath architecture enables MSOs to more easily deploy a cost effective FTTH architecture in a greenfield environment. As a result, operators can now cost-effectively provision significantly higher service capacity for video, voice and data to the home.”

“We are pleased to have a global technology leader, such as Harmonic, supporting the BrightPath solution with their MAXLink transmitters,” said Carl Meyerhoefer, vice president, Marketing and New Business Development, CommScope Broadband division. “Harmonic’s MAXLink offering coupled with BrightPath provides cable operators with a unique and cost effective FTTH solution from long-standing and reputable providers to the cable industry. CommScope continues to provide solutions to make our customers more competitive.”

A display of Harmonic’s MAXLink products combined with CommScope’s BrightPath solution can be seen at Harmonic’s booth #1753 at the upcoming SCTE Cable-Tec Expo in Philadelphia from June 25-27.