NetActuate deploys NETINT VPUs for hardware-accelerated C-band to IP migration

Broadcasters are facing a mandatory migration as C-band spectrum is reclaimed for 5G. Replacing passive satellite transponders with active IP networks requires massive decentralized compute for regional re-encoding and distribution. By providing VPU-as-a-service, NetActuate addresses the shifting economics of IP distribution, where hardware acceleration is necessary to match the cost-efficiency of satellite. This move signals a push toward standardized, vendor-neutral infrastructure where providers offer the 'plumbing' (compute and routing) while broadcasters maintain control over their software stacks. Success will be determined by how effectively these edge deployments handle real-time signal failover and high-density encoding at scale.

The transition away from C-band recently intensified following the December 5, 2025, deadline for the FCC's initial 280 MHz spectrum clearing. While the primary repacking was completed ahead of schedule, the industry is now bracing for a second wave of disruptions. Per TV Technology (April 2026), the FCC has scheduled an auction for an additional 100 to 180 MHz of 'Upper C-band' spectrum (3.98-4.2 GHz) to be completed by July 2027. This move effectively removes the 'safe harbor' for broadcasters who previously hoped to remain on satellite by moving to higher frequencies, making IP-based terrestrial distribution the primary long-term architecture.

Major media entities are already executing these large-scale shifts. Per Broadband Breakfast (June 2024), PBS recently selected LTN to manage an IP distribution network for over 330 public television stations, a move explicitly tied to future-proofing against these upcoming C-band auctions. This mirrors steps taken by networks like Fox and Disney, whose executives noted at NAB 2026 that no single technology can replicate satellite's universal reach, necessitating hybrid models that combine fiber and managed IP.

Hardware specifically designed for this load is gaining market traction. NETINT, which won a 2024 Technology and Engineering Emmy for its cloud video accelerators, reported that its VPUs have already encoded over one trillion minutes of video. The integration with NetActuate follows a broader trend of VPU adoption; per Akamai (April 2026), similar hardware-accelerated transcoding units were launched on its cloud platform to reduce the 400-watt power requirements of typical CPU-based encoding down to roughly 17 watts per unit, a critical factor for edge data centers with power constraints.