Inter Venezuela has initiated a nationwide deployment of XGS-PON mobile backhaul services, powered by Harmonic's virtualized core and fiber access equipment. The initiative aims to provide mobile operators with cost-effective, high-capacity connectivity as the country prepares for denser 5G infrastructure. XGS-PON technology enables high-speed data transfer essential for backhaul, which connects cell towers to the core network.
The timing aligns with Venezuela's accelerating 5G rollout. Movistar Venezuela reported 168 operational 5G stations across 18 cities as of April, according to the SAMENA Council. Telefónica's local unit has also committed $500 million over two years to enhance 4G coverage and initiate 5G deployment once the spectrum auction concludes.
Marco Baptista, CEO of Inter Venezuela, emphasized that the new XGS-PON mobile backhaul service is a strategic step for advancing the country's mobile networks. He stated that Harmonic's fiber system will alleviate congestion for mobile operators and improve speeds for subscribers facing increasing data traffic.
Inter is deploying Harmonic's cOS virtualized core, the Fin 10G SFP+ optical line terminal, and the high-density Pier OLT shelf at cell sites and aggregation nodes. The optical line terminal manages fiber links between the provider's infrastructure and access network endpoints.
Jeffrey Glahn, senior vice president for global sales at Harmonic, praised the agreement as a boost for Inter's forward-thinking approach to mobile backhaul in Latin America. Harmonic's cOS platform currently supports nearly 46 million customer premises equipment devices worldwide.
The announcement follows Harmonic's upward revision of its 2026 broadband revenue target to between $475 million and $495 million. This adjustment came after 43% broadband revenue growth in the first quarter, alongside robust bookings and a record backlog, as noted by CEO Nimrod Ben-Natan. Harmonic shares rose 3.2% to $13.37, giving the company a market capitalization of approximately $1.5 billion.
This deal gives Harmonic a notable Latin American reference point in broadband access, a market where operators weigh price, reliability, product roadmaps, and supplier risk. In its recent annual report, Adtran listed competitors in access and aggregation including Nokia, Calix, Vecima, Harmonic, and Microchip.
However, the rollout faces potential challenges. Harmonic has flagged in securities filings that broadband and telecom budgets are susceptible to cuts or delays, and product launch delays or stronger competition could pose risks. The company did not disclose the contract's dollar value nor which mobile operators plan to use Inter's new backhaul service.
Inter is betting that its fiber-based wholesale service will support Venezuela's 4G improvements and initial 5G moves, offering backhaul without requiring each mobile carrier to build its own links. The commercial challenge lies in converting technical deployment into steady carrier traffic amid constrained capital budgets.
