Zhone launches Zhone FiberHome brand of FTTX gear

Zhone launches Zhone FiberHome brand of FTTX gear
Zhone Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZHNE) has unveiled new fiber-to-the-node (FTTN), fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC), fiber-to-the-building (FTTB), and fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) products as well as a new brand name, Zhone FiberHome.Despite the name (which is not to be confused with FiberHome, the Chinese platform vendor), Zhone FiberHome will include copper-based technology as well as fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) equipment.“We’re seeing service providers start to aggressively lay new fiber networks. However, in specific instances, new fiber networks can become cost prohibitive and the ability to use deployed copper to provide advanced multi-play services becomes imperative,” Zhone chief marketing officer Brian Caskey explains.The first products within the initial phase of the Zhone FiberHome rollout will provide VDSL2 and Active Ethernet connectivity in the last mile in a 1U form factor. The VDSL2 product is based on VDSL2 30a and will enable up to 100 Mbps of symmetrical connectivity, the company asserts. “Zhone has become a worldwide leader in the FTTH space in the past year thanks to the strong success of its MXK Terabit Access Concentrator platform – which supports not only GPON and Active Ethernet but also ultra-high-speed copper connectivity – and Zhone is well-positioned to generate additional customer and market traction on the strength of its new FiberHome solution set,” said Erik M. Keith, principal analyst for fixed access infrastructure at market research firm Current Analysis. “Zhone’s FiberHome solution provides operators with cost-effective technologies that enable incremental revenue generation from their network investments – whether a fiber overlay or enhanced utilization of existing copper. Finally, the FiberHome portfolio delivers the much-needed extended network/serving area reach that is critical for advanced triple-play applications – most notably, high bandwidth video services – and early reviews of the FiberHome portfolio indicate that Zhone’s customers will find success in doing so.”