OAKLAND, Calif. -- Zhone Technologies, Inc. today announcedthat it has acquired assets relating to the AccessNode™ and Universal Edge™(UE) 9000 Digital Loop Carrier (DLC) shelf and UE 9000 Remote access shelfproduct families from Nortel Networks (NYSE/TSE: NT). This includesAccessNode ABM shelf, AccessNode CDS shelf.Built to accommodate a wide variety of loop technologies, AccessNode is amulti-fabric, high-density, integrated access platform designed to deliver afull suite of narrowband and broadband services including POTS, ISDN andCentrex as well as ADSL, G.Lite and VDSL. AccessNode and UE 9000 offerservice providers an evolutionary platform, capable of utilizing existingTDM-based infrastructures while simultaneously supporting DSL and other dataservices. This versatility allows for seamless integration into centraloffices, remote terminal and stand-alone environments. As part of theagreement, Zhone not only acquires assets relating to Nortel Networks accessproducts including AccessNode and UE 9000, but will also assume support forthe existing AccessNode and AccessNode Express installed base.Further, Zhone will be enhancing the AccessNode and UE 9000 platforms withnew software and hardware features and providing customers with a migrationpath to a standards-based next generation converged platform like Zhone’sSingle-Line, Multi-Service (SLMSä) network architecture which is availabletoday.“At Zhone we viewed the most important aspect of this acquisition to be theAccessNode UE 9000 DLC customers. With the acquisition completed,AccessNode UE 9000 DLC customers can be assured of both continued productsupport and future technological enhancements. In addition, by adding theseproducts to our technology arsenal, Zhone immediately establishes aleadership position within the next generation digital loop carrier (NGDLC)market,“ said David Misunas, vice president and general manager for theaccess systems division of Zhone. “DLC’s have become the epicenter of DSLservice deployment and with this acquisition Zhone has penetration in majorcarriers accounts - both domestic and abroad - who have selected theAccessNode and UE 9000 as aggregation platforms. All in all, thisacquisition of technology, engineering and service expertise, furthers ourgoal of becoming the number one equipment provider within the access arena.”Zhone Technologies Inc.