BEAM, an independent internet and cable provider serving Lee and Russell Counties and the communities of Phenix City and Smiths Station in Alabama, announced it is making gigabit speed internet available to 100% of its service area. For the service upgrade, BEAM is deploying Remote PHY technology through Harmonic’s Cable OS cloud native platform.
Via the upgrade, slated for completion this summer, every home and business on BEAM’s network will experience faster connections for high-bandwidth applications such as video-conferencing and VR. The decision promises to make BEAM more nimble with future implementations, say the partners.
“Using Harmonic’s technology is a strategic play as much as it is a customer experience,” explains Jason Rang, chief technologist for BEAM. “Our investment in Remote PHY will serve as the foundation we build new technology and better bandwidth on.”
The convergence of FTTH PON and BEAM’s coaxial eco-system within Harmonic’s platform will also improve reliability, even as the amount and demands of modern technology increase. By using Harmonic's cloud-native virtualized access platform, the seamless evolution of BEAM’s network is already well underway, added the provider, capable of scaling for FTTH, DOCSIS 4.0 technology and other advanced services like edge cloud.
The upgrade will also bring other benefits, including enhancements to BEAM's power supply system, which after the upgrade will withstand a four-hour loss of power, and modular adaptability to solve the needs of specific neighborhoods, without needing to maintain a one-size-fits-all approach. The partners say the new network will also now support more robust FTTH service without requiring another major network revamp.
Outside Harmonic’s platform, BEAM said it has been busy implementing a state-of-the-art internet core capable of 100 gig speeds over fiber. “As our customers’ needs grow, so we must,” concluded Rang. “We’re answering the call and we’ve been working around the clock these past two years to make it happen.”
Prospective customers can learn more by visiting www.ctvbeam.com.
