- KBRO will use Harmonic’s fibre-on-demand technology to extend fibre deeper into its network and accelerate multi-gigabit broadband.
- The move builds on the operator’s DOCSIS high-split modernisation and virtualised broadband platform rollout.
What happened
Taiwan’s broadband provider KBRO has announced plans to upgrade its next-generation access network using Harmonic’s fibre-on-demand solution powered by the company’s virtualised cOS broadband platform, according to the company’s press release published on 30 March 2026. <KBRO Leverages Harmonic’s Fiber‑on‑Demand Solution for Network Upgrades>
KBRO, a leading multiple-system operator in Taiwan, is expanding an existing partnership with Harmonic to push fibre deeper into its footprint and deliver multi-gigabit broadband speeds. The deployment complements KBRO’s ongoing DOCSIS high-split modernisation, enabling a hybrid strategy that blends cable and fibre evolution.
The fibre-on-demand architecture allows KBRO to activate advanced fibre services directly from existing Oyster Remote-PHY nodes. By aligning network expansion with demand, the operator aims to avoid redundant infrastructure investment and accelerate the rollout of XGS-PON technology for higher-capacity broadband services.
According to PK Lee, vice-president of engineering at KBRO, the Taiwanese broadband market’s future will be shaped by “fibre-deep innovation and scalable infrastructure”, with the partnership designed to balance improved customer experience and disciplined capital investment.
Harmonic said its cOS platform already supports nearly 41 million customer premises equipment devices worldwide, highlighting its growing role in global fibre modernisation efforts.
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Why it’s important
The upgrade underscores how cable operators are adopting incremental fibre strategies to remain competitive in gigabit markets. Rather than pursuing expensive, nationwide fibre-to-the-home deployments in a single step, demand-driven fibre expansion allows operators to prioritise areas with the strongest revenue potential.
This approach is particularly relevant in densely connected markets such as Taiwan, where competition and high bandwidth expectations are accelerating infrastructure upgrades. From a financial perspective, the model supports more predictable capital expenditure while opening new revenue streams from premium broadband tiers.
For Harmonic, the deal reinforces its push to position virtualised broadband platforms as a bridge between legacy cable and full fibre networks. The company said the KBRO deployment strengthens its presence in Asia-Pacific fibre modernisation initiatives.
As operators globally seek cost-efficient paths to multi-gigabit connectivity, demand-led fibre rollouts are emerging as a pragmatic middle ground between DOCSIS evolution and full fibre transformation.
