Oct. 6, 2009 (Business Wire) -- Zhone Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZHNE), a global leader in network access solutions, today announced the addition of 24 new zNID^(TM) models for the industry’s most comprehensive ONT (Optical Network Terminal) portfolio. Zhone’s snap-to-fit approach means less equipment costs, tighter network integration and targeted service differentiation on the full range of FTTx applications, from distinctive corporate business communications to residential triple-play and mobile backhaul. Zhone’s new ONT line includes a powerful suite of automation features to cut installation times and provide ultimate flexibility in the field.

Leveraging fundamental design advancements of the MXK, Zhone’s zNID ONTs are optimized to support the shift to unicast media streams that require enormous amounts of dedicated bandwidth. New ONTs serve a vital role in carrying extreme traffic as managed network elements in FTTx architectures. Just as important, application-specific devices enable maximum service differentiation, helping operators to grow revenue opportunities and lock in competitive advantage.

“Because ONTs represent the majority of electronic equipment costs in FTTx networks, selecting the right customer-premise devices for GPON and Active Ethernet isn’t only essential for sound network design, it can be a make or break decision for network operators,” said Steven Glapa, Zhone’s VP of product management and marketing. “Working with our MXK customers around the world provides us the right mix of practical insight and innovation and ultimately inspires the hard work required to reach the highly competitive position this product line holds.”

Zhone zNIDs cover the full spectrum of operator needs from simple, low-cost devices for entry-level triple-play, to sophisticated models for high-end business services, mobile backhaul and multi-dwelling units.

Highlights include several industry firsts:

• Zhone Auto Provisioning — Zhone zNIDs are the only ONTs with Auto Provisioning to gives technicians greater flexibility in the field while streamlining installs and cutting deployment times.
• Smart OMCI^(TM) — Zhone zNID’s are the only ONTs with Smart OMCI, Zhone’s standard’s based GPON ONT management interface for ease of operations in GPON networks, and superior interoperability in multi-vendor environments.
• Any Port – Any Service — Zhone zNIDs are the only ONTs to take the flexibility of the MSAP model to the CPE.