Harmonic Introduces Cable Industry's Highest Performing Broadcast Transmission System.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

BroadBand Plus 2002

Booth #3020

ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2002

MAXLink(TM) Plus Patented Technology Extends Range,

Increases Quality and Reduces Costs

Harmonic Inc. (Nasdaq:HLIT) today introduced MAXLink(TM) Plus, its third generation 1550 nm broadcast transmitter, which delivers breakthrough RF transport performance. The MAXLink Plus system utilizes new Harmonic-patented technology to transmit high quality signals over much longer distances and increase the channel carrying capacity of cable and other broadcast networks. As a result, operators can implement a more cost-effective and flexible broadcast network infrastructure without purchasing multiple racks of proprietary baseband digital transmission equipment.

The MAXLink Plus product line includes a 1550 nm broadcast transmitter and an optional receiver that is fully optimized for its companion Harmonic transmitter. The new Harmonic-patented technology increases the CNR (Carrier to Noise Ratio) up to 6 dB, giving MAXLink Plus the best 1550 nm performance in the industry. This improvement in CNR either extends the network reach while maintaining existing performance levels or increases the performance of an existing network link. This is extremely important to operators as they constantly seek ways to scale their network to support more subscribers as well as reduce capital equipment and operating costs. Both the transmitter and receiver have a new compact standalone one-rack unit (1RU) form factor that further reduces space requirements.

"MAXLink Plus brings together Harmonic's deep expertise and technical leadership in optical transmitters and broadcast network architectures to deliver the best 1550 nm performance in the market," said Patrick Harshman, president of Harmonic's Broadband Access Networks Division. "The MAXLink Plus exemplifies Harmonic's long-time commitment to lowering the cost of implementing, managing and maintaining large-scale cable networks without compromising quality. MAXLink Plus provides all the benefits and quality of digital transport but with superior economics."

The MAXLink Plus system supports a variety of network architectures in traditional hybrid fiber coax (HFC) environments, including long-distance supertrunking and 1550-to-the node distribution. For example, the MAXLink Plus transmitter and receiver pair can interconnect a super headend with regional headends at distances exceeding 200 kilometers. This approach enables operators to realize significant economic and operational benefits by centralizing services -- and the related equipment -- while efficiently serving the widest possible subscriber base. Until now this was most often accomplished using more complicated and expensive proprietary digital transport systems. A MAXLink Plus transmitter can also be deployed without a receiver to render compelling performance improvements in 1550-to-the-node and 1550/1310 architectures.

Enabling New Broadcast Video Services

Ideally suited for transporting analog and digital video, MAXLink Plus supports emerging applications such as a video overlay for pure fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployments. Delivering broadcast video via an independent wavelength optimizes bandwidth utilization and reduces the equipment requirements. The extended performance of the MAXLink Plus minimizes the need for equipment such as optical amplifiers, which represent a major share of the network's cost.

The new MAXLink Plus system complements Harmonic's broad line of HFC and pure fiber transport systems for access networks. Harmonic also provides an extensive range of scalable forward and return path transmission systems based on digital and analog WDM (Wave Division Multiplexing) technology, 1310 nm short-haul transmission systems, scalable and segmentable nodes, as well as environmentally hardened Ethernet switches for fiber-to-the-business applications.

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) is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif. 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.

This press release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, features, relative performance and anticipated benefits to customers, of the third generation MAXLink Plus, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In addition, actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors set forth in documents that Harmonic files with the SEC, including reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q.

Note to Editors: Product and company names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.