OAKLAND, Calif. -- Zhone Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZHNE), a global leader in multi-service access solutions, announced today that Etisalat, the leading integrated service provider in the Middle East, has selected Zhone’s new MXK (TM) intelligent terabit access concentrator for its major FTTx network expansion.

Side by side with solutions provided by two other major suppliers, Etisalat will deploy Zhone’s MXK Intelligent Terabit Access Concentrator with zNID(TM) optical network terminals to business and residential customers in a major network expansion throughout the United Arab Emirates. Etisalat’s plans include GPON installations to provide broadband and a full suite of consumer voice and enhanced video services to its residential subscribers. The company will also use GPON on the MXK platform to provide a suite of sophisticated services, including advanced call processing and ultra high-speed data, to businesses throughout the region.

“Zhone’s FTTx solution gives us unprecedented scaleable bandwidth, robust network control and the ability to serve more customers with greater efficiency,” said Mr. Saleem Al Marzooqi, Senior Vice President/Network Development for Etisalat. “Our rigorous and extensive side-by-side lab trials proved the MXK’s superior performance — and its well-designed architecture makes it among the top future-proof platforms on the market.”

Zhone Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: ZHNE)