Charter Communications Selects Harmonic's New Gateway to Deliver HDTV Programming
Broadcast Network Gateway Enables Charter to Provide Premium Programming to Customers
SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 5, 2002--Harmonic Inc. (Nasdaq:HLIT - News) today announced that Charter Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:CHTR - News) has selected the new Broadcast Network Gateway(TM)(BNG) to access and distribute high-definition (HD) programming. By deploying BNG systems in its cable headend facilities, Charter is able to give Charter Digital Cable®customers in five markets the ultimate viewing experience with premium HD programming.
"The adoption of digital television is accelerating and, in particular, considerable attention is focused on high-definition services. Consumers are finally able to enjoy the superior color, picture and audio quality available with HD programming," said John Pietri, Charter Senior Vice President of Engineering. "Harmonic's Broadcast Network Gateway is a highly integrated, flexible and efficient solution for delivering premium HD content now available from pay TV and major broadcast television networks."
"In an increasingly competitive world, broadband service providers are looking to new options such as high-definition digital television and video-on-demand to improve differentiation and increase revenue," said Dr. Yaron Simler, President of Harmonic's Convergent Systems Division. "The Broadcast Network Gateway enables Charter to efficiently add HD television to their portfolio of services. This represents another example of Harmonic's commitment to enhancing our customers competitiveness with value-added services that can effectively drive subscriber retention."
Charter Deploys HD Digital Turnaround Powered by Broadcast Network Gateways
The HD digital turnaround solution accesses HD content available from either satellite or over-the-air broadcasts and then distributes this content over a cable network. A key advantage of the Harmonic gateway is the integration of multiplexing and QAM modulation functionalities in a single compact unit. The BNG protects the video quality of the source HD programming by passing through incoming HD streams.
Charter's Initial HD Markets
Charter Communications announced on May 29 that it had launched its Charter High Definition Service to the following five markets: Alhambra/Pasadena and Glendale/Burbank, California; University Park/Highland Park, Texas; Miami Beach, Florida; and Birmingham, Alabama. Charter expects to bring HD service to more areas throughout this year.
The Broadcast Network Gateway Family
Announced at the National Association of Broadcasters Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, the BNG 6000 series is a powerful building block that can increase the functionality, flexibility and scalability of cable broadcast networks around the world. The all-in-one, single rack unit (RU) gateway serves applications requiring digital turnaround, multiplexing, modulation and upconversion. ASI or Gigabit Ethernet inputs support a wide range of architectures.
About Charter Communications Inc.
Charter Communications, A Wired World Company(TM), is among the nation's largest broadband communications companies, currently serving more than 6.8 million customers in 40 states. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband services to the home, including cable television on an advanced digital video programming platform marketed under the Charter Digital Cable® brand and high-speed Internet access via Charter Pipeline®. Commercial high-speed data, video and Internet solutions are provided under the Charter Business Networks brand. Advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media brand. A Fortune 500 and Nasdaq 100 Company, Charter was the 2001 recipient of the Outstanding Corporate Growth Award from the Association for Corporate Growth, the 2001 R.E. "Ted" Turner Innovator of the Year Award from the Southern Cable Telecommunications Association, and the 2001 Fast 50 Award for Growth from the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association. More information about Charter can be found at www.charter.com.
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 - News) 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. |
