Harmonic takes on the MDU broadband challenge with new node

When it comes to deploying broadband to multi-dwelling units, Harmonic thinks it has just what operators need to save time and money on multi-gigabit connectivity. The vendor unveiled SeaStar, an optical node that can deliver speeds “exceeding 8 Gbps downstream and 1.5 Gbps upstream​” to up to 16 MDUs. SeaStar is connected via fiber to mini nodes installed at each individual building, those nodes connect directly to the MDU’s existing coax cabling, and voilà. The mini nodes notably work up to five kilometers away from a centralized point, Harmonic said, which can help operators avoid issues such as limited bandwidth or optical beat interference, which refers to a kind of signal degradation that happens when two or more optical transmitters with closely spaced wavelengths transmit simultaneously. SeaStar is notable because improving infrastructure with minimal disruption is a challenge, especially prevalent in older apartment buildings that have thick walls or may have been built without suitable wiring.