QCOL adopts Zhone Technologies FTTx network access system to deliver FTTH triple-play network

QCOL adopts Zhone Technologies FTTx network access system to deliver FTTH triple-play network
QCOL, a western Pennsylvania-based Internet services and triple-play provider, will deploy MXK from FTTx network access systems provider Zhone Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:ZHNE) as its primary Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) access platform for a new fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network it is building to deliver triple-play services to customers. Zhone’s MXK system will equip QCOL to deliver affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet access, VoIP, and video services to more than 2,000 subscribers across Fayette County, Penn.; Garrett County, Md., and Preston County, W.V., beginning August 2011. The system capabilities of Zhone’s MXK platform enable up to one gigabit (1GB) capacity in the home and the ability to support the extreme bandwidth demands generated by multiple high-definition television (HDTV) screens, high-definition digital video recorder (HD-DVR) content, and video streaming within the home. Its scalability and flexibility help future-proof the network for more advanced service rollout, while reducing recurring operating expenses (OPEX) and any adverse customer impact from rollout of these next-generation services, says a company representative. “The residential and business customers we serve are demanding increasing amounts of bandwidth. We sought a solution to address not only current but future bandwidth requirements,” explains Brian Frazee and Doug Friend, owners of QCOL. “We selected Zhone for the impressive density offered by 8-port GPON cards, along with the MXK’s superior scale, effective network management capabilities, and system flexibility to support multiples services in the same chassis. We were extremely intrigued by the cost savings anticipated for us and our customers.” With QCOL delivering radio-frequency (RF) video over fiber and the MXK’s ability to support the same via either Passive Optical Network (PON) or point-to-point Active Ethernet, the MXK was a fit for this project. QCOL is also deploying Zhone’s zNID Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) for the end points.