Korean operator SK Broadband has deployed Harmonic's solution for broadcast IPTV -- which bypasses cable-modem termination systems -- representing the largest deployment to date of cable IPTV, according to the companies.
SK Broadband, previously Hanaro Telecom, serves approximately 6 million subscribers. The new IPTV service, delivered via DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems, was initially offered to subscribers in the Seoul area and now is being expanding to other provinces.
Harmonic's Direct-2-Edge solution encompasses its NSG 9000 universal edge QAMs, along with control software. The approach uses a bypass architecture, meaning IPTV video streams aren't sent through a CMTS; instead, the video is delivered through the edge QAMs to IPTV set-top boxes, PCs or other devices in the home.
With the IPTV-over-cable approach, SK Broadband now can deliver a uniform broadcast IPTV service across its cable, DSL, and fiber-based access networks, according to the companies.
In addition, SK Broadband is using Harmonic's NSG 9000 edge QAMs to deliver ultra-high-speed Internet access of up to 150 Mbps to the home.
Harmonic demonstrated its IPTV-over-cable solution two years ago at a CableLabs' conference, where attendees voted it the "best new idea that is most likely to succeed."
Another Korean cable company, LG Powercom, is using BigBand Networks' video IP solution, vIP Pass, to deliver video to PCs and IPTV set-tops. That solution, which also uses a CMTS bypass architecture, includes BigBand's video-control plane technology, modular universal edge QAM platforms and video management and performance software.
