Jazztel Video-over-DSL Service Leverages the Power of Harmonic’s Video Headend Solutions

August 17, 2006 - Harmonic has announced that Jazztel PLC, a telecommunications service provider in Spain, has implemented a comprehensive Harmonic-based digital headend, including the DiviCom® Electra™ 5000 MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) encoder, for its IP-based Jazztelia TV service.

Initiated in March 2006, the country-wide rollout includes standard definition broadcast television channels delivered via Jazztel's ADSL2+ network. This deployment underscores the significant lead that Harmonic believes they have established in the European IPTV market, with DiviCom encoders powering more channels for European telcos than any other brand.

Increasingly, operators such as Jazztel are taking advantage of local loop unbundling to implement a competitive broadband service by co-locating DSLAMs at the incumbent telecom provider's central offices. Founded in 1998, Jazztel now operates a comprehensive network of DSLAMs, overlaying an area encompassing nearly 60 percent of Spain's lines, which is connected to an extensive fiber network. By owning the access and metro interconnect, Jazztel can deliver more bandwidth to the home. This advanced infrastructure makes it possible for Jazztel to offer a full range of IP-based voice, data and video services which has attracted more than 250,000 residential and business customers.

As the demand for more services continues to accelerate, IPTV operators must find ways to maximize the efficiency of their networks in addition to creating an attractive service offering. An IP-centric network enables telco operators, like Jazztel, to more easily provision highly personalized, interactive TV services. Harmonic's DiviCom Electra 5000 multi-service encoders, which are at the core of the Jazztel service, include a native IP interface and provide superior MPEG-4 AVC video quality at low bit-rates, facilitating the delivery of future value-added capabilities.

"Jazztel's long-term vision is focused on continually expanding the range of compelling and competitive telecommunications and entertainment services available to the consumer, and to make these state-of-the-art services a reality today," said Antonio Rodriguez, Network Engineering Manager at Jazztel. "The ability to deliver a differentiated, high quality television experience alongside our voice and data solutions was a key consideration in selecting our video headend provider. Harmonic, with its unique systems and expertise, allowed us to dramatically accelerate our time to market. The integrated solution for content acquisition, efficient video compression, scrambling and service management meets our needs today and easily scales to accommodate substantial growth in the future."

"As emerging IPTV providers deploy services that compete with existing cable, satellite and terrestrial television, it is clearly not enough to offer a 'me too' service to attract subscribers," said Thierry Fautier, Director of Telco and IPTV Solutions for Harmonic Inc. "Harmonic’s industry-leading digital video solutions, like the DiviCom Electra 5000 multi-service encoder, enable Jazztel to incorporate advanced features that create a differentiated and dynamic experience, setting itself apart as a pace-setting competitive provider of triple play services. With more encoders installed at top tier telcos than any other brand, Harmonic is leading the way in enabling IP-based video with highly flexible, scalable solutions that support a range of services delivered to multiple devices via wired and wireless networks."