FONEX and Zhone Provide Purpose-Built FTTH Solution for VT Municipalities

MONTREAL and ROYALTON, VT - FONEX Data Systems, a telecom equipment supplier focused on providing solutions for metro-edge, access and CPE portions of the network, and Zhone Technologies, a provider of IP multi-service access solutions, join forces to bring high-speed bandwidth to ECFiber (the East Central Vermont Community Fiber Network). ECFiber is a group of 24 local municipalities who, in partnership with ValleyNet, a Vermont non-profit organization, is building a high-speed fiber-optic network capable of delivering state-of-the-art Internet and telephone service to homes and businesses in participating towns.

Building a Network that can Scale Up as Funding Becomes Available
FONEX’s winning proposal for ECFiber configures the network for future expansion, re-uses existing outdoor enclosures, assures compatibility with existing VoIP and provides onsite training and local support. The hardware selected for this project includes a purpose-built solution with Zhone, Juniper and LambdaGain equipment, giving ECFiber the flexibility to build a scalable network which can grow in stages, as funding is raised. This solution lowers ECFibers’ CapEx and OpEx and gives the network operator access to a highly-skilled engineering and support team with nearly 25 years of experience.

“Our goal is to provide the right equipment, at the right cost, to meet the technical and operational requirements of both large and small network operators. For this particular project, Zhone’s IP equipment provides the fastest and highest-quality all-IP multi-service solutions for its customers - it was a natural fit for this community network,” stated Pasquale Ricciardi, director, technology & product management at FONEX. The purpose-built FTTH solution contains Zhone's MXK platform, which is a fully redundant, carrier-grade all-IP platform and the industry's first terabit access concentrator.

“FONEX proposed a solution that maintained compatibility with our voice provider’s services and re-used existing infrastructure. Their engineers are very knowledgeable and provided conclusive compatibility data from internal trials. We value FONEX’s continued support and expertise,” states Stan Williams, interim CEO, ECFiber.