OAKLAND, Calif. -- Zhone Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZHNE), a global pioneer in FTTx network access solutions, today announced that it has further expanded its next-generation broadband access solutions portfolio to provide advanced last-mile connectivity to its customers globally. Zhone's new fiber-to-the-node (FTTN), fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC), fiber-to-the-building (FTTB) and fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) solutions will be offered as part of the new Zhone FiberHome brand and provide high-speed Copper to the Premise (CTTP)and wire-speed Ethernet to the Premise (ETTP) connectivity to global voice, data, and video service providers.

Today, there is unprecedented global demand for bandwidth-intensive applications that require advanced broadband connectivity, especially for those services that accommodate consumer communication and entertainment needs and enhance business productivity. With the creation of the Zhone FiberHome portfolio, operators will gain new solutions to help mitigate the challenges they currently face with last mile broadband access and connectivity. Specifically, operators in all global regions will be able to utilize Zhone access solutions to extend their fiber and copper reach and deliver multi-play services to residential and business customers in otherwise challenging and expensive service areas, including rural locations and multi-dwelling units (MDUs).

As Zhone chief marketing officer Brian Caskey explains, "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."

After the recent addition of two very-high-bit rate digital subscriber line (VDSL2) cards to its flagship MXK intelligent multi-service access node (MSAN), Zhone now empowers service providers to offer up to 100Mbps symmetrical throughput on copper last mile. To best leverage these new capabilities, Zhone is introducing several new last-mile solutions that add FTTN, FTTC, FTTB and FTTP connectivity - as well as provide support for operators' CTTP applications - to Zhone's existing FTTH offerings.

The solutions delivered in the initial phase of the Zhone FiberHome rollout will provide VDSL2 and Active Ethernet connectivity in the last mile in a 1U form factor to extend network reach and deliver cost-efficiency benefits that exceed those of competitive solutions. Zhone's high-speed CTTP solution is based on VDSL2 30a and will enable up to 100Mbps symmetrical connectivity in areas where fiber is cost prohibitive. In these cases, as an end-to-end solution, Zhone will offer VDSL2 CPE and Central Office (CO) products to provide high-speed, long reach and low cost solutions for multi-tenant and multi-dwelling units (MxUs), remote terminals and CO deployments. In the cases where fiber can be extended cost-effectively, Zhone FiberHome will provide Active Ethernet connectivity to enable wire-speed ETTP connectivity.

Zhone Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: ZHNE)