Advanced Television

Com Hem powers data and VoD services with Harmonic EdgeQAM

December 5, 2012

Harmonic, the a specialist in video delivery infrastructure, has announced that Com Hem, a Swedish provider of pay-TV, high-speed broadband, and fixed-telephony services, has selected Harmonic’s NSG 9000 HectoQAM solution as its service edgeQAM to increase the speed of its data services and add a comprehensive new multiscreen services also based on TiVo technology. Leveraging the highly scalable nature of the HectoQAM, Com Hem can now cost-effectively deliver superior-quality VoD content as well as high-speed data services to approximately 1.8 million households, all from a single, unified edgeQAM platform.

“The capability to support data, VoD, and multiscreen services is key, as today’s subscribers expect a high-quality multimedia experience on any connected device,” said Jens Persson, R&D manager, Com Hem. “The scalability and flexibility offered by Harmonic’s edgeQAM solutions enable Com Hem to efficiently deliver a wide range of compelling services, including traditional TV, VoD, and over-the-top content and applications optimized for every screen.”

The HectoQAM solution features a scalable, modular design with hot-swappable RF-QAM modules that enable easy expansion of service groups. These modules more than quadruple the QAM capacity for existing service groups, without any rewiring or disruption to operations. Using the edgeQAM Mass Configuration Tool (MCT), Com Hem can simultaneously configure multiple HectoQAM systems and easily perform firmware upgrades as business needs evolve. The MCT functionality also provides remote configuration as well as backup and restoration for multiple devices, simplifying the cable provider’s overall operations.

Featuring a high-density, 2-RU chassis, the HectoQAM performs PID filtering, multiplexing, scrambling, QAM modulation, and RF amplification, delivering up to 25 Gbps of cable TV services including high-speed Internet, VoD, switched digital video, and video broadcast. Utilising DOCSIS 3.0 and modular CMTS standards for downstream data transmission, the HectoQAM solution enables Com Hem to provide subscribers with faster data and Internet services, additional channel bundles, and new VoD services on any IP-connected device, while lowering power consumption and operating expenses for the cable provider.

“Relying on the innovative technology behind Harmonic’s edge and access solutions, Com Hem is able to cost-effectively offer the Swedish market an exclusive video experience,” said Thomas Henriksen, director of sales for North Europe at Harmonic. “Harmonic’s NSG 9000 HectoQAM solution reliably supports Com Hem’s high-speed Internet and video services from a compact, high-density design that reduces capital and operational expenses while maintaining excellent video quality.”

Harmonic leads the industry in edgeQAM deployments with more than 2 million QAMs shipped to cable service providers worldwide, powering premium services for more than an estimated 70 million cable subscribers.

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