Harmonic Upgrades, Wins Deal

PHILADELPHIA -- Harmonic Inc. (Nasdaq:HLIT - News) has enhanced its NMX Digital Service Manager(TM) to provide visual monitoring capabilities for cable operators using Harmonic's industry leading VOD platform. Harmonic's NMX now communicates directly with Narrowcast Services Gateway(TM) (NSG) edge devices to deliver real time information for evaluating the status of the network equipment. The system also provides 24/7 usage reporting, enabling operators to view their network loads by service group -- a set of subscribers sharing the same segment of an HFC network for VOD services -- and time of day. Using NMX, operators can diagnose and resolve network problems faster as well as optimize resource allocation according to the subscriber capacity requirements of a service group.

"The NMX Digital Service Manager allows operators to make informed decisions about how they segment their networks, allocate their resources and market to their subscribers," said Dr. Yaron Simler, President of Harmonic's Convergent Systems Division. "When VOD customers are denied access because of an oversubscribed service group, all they know is that they did not get their movie. The better a network is managed, the less likely that will happen. At the end of the day, satisfied subscribers are the best way to increase revenue."

In a separate release:

Harmonic Inc. (Nasdaq:HLIT - News) today announced that Insight Communications (Nasdaq:ICCI - News) has deployed Harmonic's video-on-demand (VOD) systems to upgrade and expand its existing service. The industry leading solution, based on the Narrowcast Services Gateway(TM) (NSG) smart edge device and Gigabit Ethernet transport, enabled a seamless migration from a proprietary platform to a highly scalable open standards-based environment. Harmonic's proven systems approach made it possible for Insight's initial upgrade, as well as future service expansions, to be accomplished while providing complete continuity of service.

An early provider of VOD services in the United States, Insight has continuously invested to maintain a state-of-the-art network to support the delivery of advanced services -- including video, voice and data bundles -- in mid-sized communities. Now, with approximately 1.4 million customers -- and nearly 80% of its Insight Digital customers VOD-enabled--Insight determined that continued growth required a migration to a scalable, standards-based environment.

"VOD is an integral part of our strategy, both in the short and long term, providing a critical competitive advantage and substantial revenue potential. After assessing our initial experience with on-demand services, we found an IP-based network is essential to maintaining the quality and value our customers have come to expect. It also better enables us to scale our services as needed," said Patrick Forde, Vice President, New Technology Integration, Insight Communications. "Harmonic was the clear choice for our service upgrade and expansion as a result of their commitment to open standards and the broad industry acceptance of their VOD delivery solution."

Harmonic Inc.

Insight Communications Co. Inc.