Alhambra-Grantfork Telephone selects Zhone Technologies’ MXK platform for FTTH, multi-service deployment

Alhambra-Grantfork Telephone Company has selected the MXK Multi-Service Access Node (MSAN) and Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) system from Zhone Technologies Inc. to offer local residences and small businesses IP-based services, beginning this month.

During a five-month trial period that concluded March 2011, the Zhone MXK demonstrated flexibility in facilitating network and service upgrades to a multi-service deployment, including ADSL2+, VDSL, and GPON services off the same MXK, leading to the full-scale deployment currently underway. Once the project is complete, Alhambra-Grantfork Telephone will deliver affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access and VoIP services to its customers via a copper and fiber network.

“Our 1,100-line network addresses residential and business customers and it required an increased density and scale, which Zhone provides with its MXK solution,” says Kevin Osterbur, general manager of Alhambra-Grantfork Telephone. “Not only does the system offer increased bandwidth for our customers, but this upgrade promises additional savings and simpler upgrades in the future. The flexibility to support multiple services from the same MXK system and the availability of the 8-port GPON card were key factors in our decision to choose Zhone for our network build.”

Zhone provides cost efficiency and service differentiation through the MXK, in combination with the zNID GPON Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) that will be installed at the residence and business sites to support individual subscriber service needs.

“We knew Alhambra-Grantfork Telephone needed a multi-service solution support for both DSL and fiber access solution with cost-effective and enhanced flexibility and scale and that was our primary goal with this project. However, because of our commitment to them as a long-term partner, we are also focused on providing the guidance needed to ensure their investment will support seamless network upgrades now and in the future as new customer demands dictate infrastructure expansions,” explains Brian Caskey, chief marketing officer for Zhone. “It’s clear from our recent North American momentum that the ease of use and flexibility of our fiber access solutions are core strengths that appeal to service providers, and we will continue to adapt our solutions to fit the needs of our customers–and their customers.”

The MXK terabit access concentrator provides non-blocking capacity of up to 3,600 100 Mbps GPON subscribers or 360 1G Active Ethernet subscribers.