German WISI Group takes over majority in Inca Networks

WISI Group, a German provider of broadband reception and distribution technologies, has acquired the majority stake in Inca Networks, a Canadian provider of multiscreen video delivery solutions.

Following the strategic move of which financial details have not been disclosed, both companies now want to work together on the global development and delivery of linear IP video and over-the-top (OTT) multiscreen solutions, including project focus on HEVC video compression and transcoding, network DVR, confidence monitoring and personalised ad insertion.

“We are very pleased to announce this partnership with WISI,” Jeff Campbell, CEO of Inca Networks, said in Vancouver. “With WISI, we have found a partner with the history, scale and worldwide presence, to make Inca a truly global player in intelligent video delivery. This relationship will allow us to accelerate our growth, serve an increasingly diverse international client base and deliver comprehensive and innovative new solutions to our customers around the world.”

WISI will become the exclusive distributor for Inca’s video transcoding and multiscreen products in Europe, Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle East while Inca Networks will become the exclusive North American partner for WISI’s modular RF/IP platforms, Chameleon and Tangram as well as the Optopus FTTH product range.

“As the cable TV business evolves from RF to a more IP-centric model, this investment in Inca solidifies WISI’s position as a leader at the crossroads of next generation video,” said Axel Sihn, CEO of WISI Group. “The reception, processing and transmission capabilities of the WISI products, combined with Inca’s powerful VidiOS software and linear and multiscreen hardware will enable video operators to deploy complete systems to meet the demands of today’s highly mobile and technology-savvy video consumer.”

Inca products are now available globally via existing WISI sales channels. WISI products are now in field trials with a number of North American operators and are available via existing Inca sales channels.

Harmonic and WISI Communications partner

Harmonic and WISI Communications have announced a partnership that provides cable operators with next-generation cable access solutions.

Under the joint collaboration, Harmonic and WISI will develop products that allow operators to keep pace with ever-evolving business and industry requirements such as CCAP, DOCSIS 3.1 and Distributed Access Architecture with digital fiber transport. Through their cable access solutions, Harmonic and WISI offer the service provider, hospitality, enterprise and MDU markets a flexible, scalable network architecture that optimises the delivery of video, data and voice services, while lowering capital and operating expenses.

“This collaboration is a win-win situation for Harmonic, WISI and the cable industry,” said Nimrod Ben-Natan, senior vice president and general manager, cable edge business, Harmonic.

“WISI has a powerful presence in the EMEA region that will help Harmonic penetrate new markets, and Harmonic has years of cable edge expertise and strong brand recognition in edgeQAM technologies, enabling WISI to expand internationally. Not only will this partnership lead to significant growth for both companies, it enables us to provide the industry with a new class of cable access solutions at a low total cost of ownership, bringing a wide range of benefits to cable operators.”

“The cable world has changed rapidly over the last decade, with operators delivering high-speed Internet as well as fixed and mobile telephony offerings alongside video, including on-demand and time-shift services. In order to address fluctuations in traffic growth, operators need cable access solutions that provide maximum scalability and flexibility,” said Axel Sihn, CEO, WISI.

“Partnering with Harmonic, a market leader in cable edge technologies, we are able to offer operators a complete cable access solution and the easiest path to addressing the cable industry’s evolving needs, such as CCAP and DOCSIS 3.1. This enables them to launch services faster and cheaper, resulting in increased revenue growth.”

Harmonic and WISI Communications partner

Harmonic and WISI Communications have announced a partnership that provides cable operators with next-generation cable access solutions.

Under the joint collaboration, Harmonic and WISI will develop products that allow operators to keep pace with ever-evolving business and industry requirements such as CCAP, DOCSIS 3.1 and Distributed Access Architecture with digital fiber transport. Through their cable access solutions, Harmonic and WISI offer the service provider, hospitality, enterprise and MDU markets a flexible, scalable network architecture that optimises the delivery of video, data and voice services, while lowering capital and operating expenses.

“This collaboration is a win-win situation for Harmonic, WISI and the cable industry,” said Nimrod Ben-Natan, senior vice president and general manager, cable edge business, Harmonic.

“WISI has a powerful presence in the EMEA region that will help Harmonic penetrate new markets, and Harmonic has years of cable edge expertise and strong brand recognition in edgeQAM technologies, enabling WISI to expand internationally. Not only will this partnership lead to significant growth for both companies, it enables us to provide the industry with a new class of cable access solutions at a low total cost of ownership, bringing a wide range of benefits to cable operators.”

“The cable world has changed rapidly over the last decade, with operators delivering high-speed Internet as well as fixed and mobile telephony offerings alongside video, including on-demand and time-shift services. In order to address fluctuations in traffic growth, operators need cable access solutions that provide maximum scalability and flexibility,” said Axel Sihn, CEO, WISI.

“Partnering with Harmonic, a market leader in cable edge technologies, we are able to offer operators a complete cable access solution and the easiest path to addressing the cable industry’s evolving needs, such as CCAP and DOCSIS 3.1. This enables them to launch services faster and cheaper, resulting in increased revenue growth.”