Harmonic Released New Hardware and Software for Broadband
The company introduced tools to improve network efficiency by repurposing existing wiring and unifying data streams.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Harmonic has released a suite of hardware and software platforms, including the Jetty switch and Oyster+ PON platform, designed to boost broadband efficiency. These tools, announced at the TechExpo26 event in Atlanta, aim to shift provider focus toward service quality.
Why it matters
Broadband providers are increasingly prioritizing the total number of homes served over simple network reach to enhance user experience. These new tools provide the infrastructure to unify data management and extend connectivity without requiring total re-wiring of buildings.
The suite includes the SeaStar Optical Node, which delivers services by utilizing existing in-building coax wiring, and the cOS SensAI software platform, which uses a vendor-agnostic fabric to unify network data. These solutions represent a transition toward integrating varied hardware.
The players
Harmonic
A technology provider specializing in broadband access solutions, video delivery, and software-based cloud infrastructure for cable and fiber networks.
The details
The SeaStar Optical Node acts as an interface that allows operators to leverage current coaxial cable infrastructure for modern broadband delivery, reducing the need for new fiber runs. The cOS SensAI software functions as a data orchestration layer, creating a vendor-agnostic fabric—a unified communication network that supports hardware from multiple manufacturers—to monitor and improve network efficiency across disparate systems.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: Product details were published during the TechExpo26 event in Atlanta.
The Tech Race
Broadband providers are currently pivoting from high-level infrastructure goals to the optimization of existing capacity to ensure service quality. Harmonic's release targets this transition by providing the necessary software and hardware layers to manage these complex networks.
Subscribers may eventually see more stable internet speeds and faster connection deployment as providers adopt these tools to utilize existing in-building wiring. The practical effect depends on individual internet service providers integrating these platforms into their regional networks.
The takeaway
These tools signal a broader industry move toward vendor-agnostic software control to manage complex broadband hardware. Operators should monitor the integration of the cOS SensAI platform within their existing infrastructure stacks to assess potential gains in network throughput.
Further reading
For more background on network infrastructure upgrades, see the latest developments in Telecommunications.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lightwave.
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