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Multimedia Polska S.A., with over 625,000 subscribers, is one of the leading service providers in Poland and among the most innovative. It was the first Polish operator to launch digital television services for its broadband DSL subscribers (IPTV); the first to introduce high definition television (HDTV); and one of the first to offer triple play (cable television, voice over IP, and broadband Internet) in a single package. Multimedia is the only Polish cable operator providing the same portfolio of integrated services to its nationwide subscriber base using both cable and DSL networks. This unique, stateof- the-art architecture provides greater reach, flexibility, and a competitive advantage in deploying advanced services.
 

Multimedia's continuing success relies on expanding its service offerings to generate new revenue streams and successfully compete with other service providers. Those include Telekomunikacja Polska (TP), which offers IPTV to its over 10 million DSL subscribers, UPC Poland with 1 million subscribers, and direct-to-home broadcaster "N" which is providing push VOD.
 

VOD would be a natural addition to Multimedia's portfolio, providing a unique, valueadded service that would differentiate it in the marketplace. Offering free VOD content to digital subscribers would drive new subscribers to the premium service and generate added revenue. But deploying VOD posed significant challenges for Multimedia. Due to its diversified set of offerings and hybrid cable/IPTV infrastructure, Multimedia managed a complex ecosystem of vendors, which raised numerous interoperability concerns when adding VOD.
 

Further complicating the introduction of VOD was the operator's large, widely distributed system covering many regional sites spread across Poland. Would the IP network infrastructure support the new offering? And finally, how would Multimedia dynamically manage its video assets to ensure optimal distribution to its subscribers?
 

Multimedia Polska had an existing relationship with Harmonic when it began the search for a VOD solution. Satisfied with Harmonic's optical networking products, it evaluated the Harmonic VOD solution consisting of StreamLinerÆ video servers and the ArmadaÆ intelligent asset manager. StreamLiner is a highly scalable, flexible, and reliable video server system that runs on off-the-shelf hardware. Armada is the world's most advanced content delivery system that takes advantage of advanced algorithms for dynamic and real-time distribution of content based on ever-changing consumer behavior in various serving areas.
 

The ability to create a VOD system in a combined cable and IPTV environment, working with a diverse partner ecosystem, were important factors in the selection of the Harmonic on-demand solution. "Harmonic was uniquely able to support the needs of our hybrid network architecture, simultaneously supporting sessions for our cable and IPTV customers," says Bartlomiej Kasinski, VOD Project Manager for Multimedia.

The Harmonic solution also effectively addressed content distribution. Armada supports cost- and revenue-optimized storage and streaming capacity by automatically allocating content to the most optimal server in real time to ensure assets are available for viewer demand. Armada's intelligent design optimizes content distribution based on considerations such as the network topology and user-driven business rules. Assets are moved as needed between StreamLiner nodes and within the various medium storage of the nodes (RAM, SAS/SCSI, SATA storage) to optimally meet the requirements of the ever changing demand curve in a given service area.
 

As the amount of on-demand content continues to grow, the ability to handle requests for popular content, as well as niche content, becomes more critical. This is even more significant as the amount of subscribers and content could overwhelm Multimedia's backbone network. Armada manages the content distribution and ensures content is distributed in an optimal manner, not only to meet subscriber requests, but also to minimize usage of the network backbone. This is achieved through advanced multicast networking technologies and algorithms. "TheStreamLiner servers are scalable and easy to manage," says Kasinski, "and we are impressed with the ability of the Armada software to dynamically manage our MPEG-4 and MPEG-2 video assets for optimal distribution to users."
 

Multimedia also praised Harmonic for its strong technical support and know-how. Harmonic provided installation, on-site support, and training services throughout the project, ensuring a smooth deployment.
 

Trialed in September 2007 and commercially launched in October, the initial phase allows 6350 simultaneous VOD streams delivering broadcast playout, VOD, and subscription VOD. The second phase, planned for the first half of 2008, will offer time-shifted TV for ten channels, while the final phase will deliver nPVR for 30 channels.
 

Initially deployed in six cities, VOD service will be expanded to all regions served by Multimedia by the end of 2008. The Operator expects that VOD will be used by more than 50 percent of digital subscribers, creating greater demand for the service, boosting overall revenues, and positively impacting customer satisfaction. "As Multimedia's VOD service offering expands, the architecture can easily grow with it to support more assets, users, and services," says Kasinski.
 

Harmonic Inc. is a leading provider of versatile and high-performance video solutions that enable service providers to efficiently deliver the next generation of broadcast and ondemand services including high definition, video-on-demand, network personal video recording, and time-shifted TV. Cable, satellite, broadcast, and telecom service providers can increase revenues and lower operational expenditures by using Harmonic's digital video, broadcast optical access and software solutions to offer consumers the compelling and personalized viewing experience that is driving the business models of the future.