Norvado Teams With Zhone to Expand FTTH Network

OAKLAND, CA — Norvado (formerly Chequamegon Communications), a Wisconsin telco, is expanding the fiber-to-the-home network it began building in 2009, using GPON technology on Zhone Technologies' MXK platform. This deployment will deliver affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access, VoIP and video services to 30 percent of Norvado’s customer base in four rural counties. The new buildout is funded primarily by a broadband stimulus grant and loan.

“Zhone’s MXK multiservice access platform and its complementary offerings combine to deliver outstanding IP video, voice and broadband data to our customers,” says Jeff Lee, plant manager for Norvado. “We chose Zhone’s MXK platform to pair with our already-established bonded ADSL and XDSL networks, for the increased density, scale and performance. Zhone offers a proven multiservice solution designed around IP transmission. Its ability to deliver any card, any slot and any service supporting any access technology is precisely what we needed to address our expansion needs.”

To date, Zhone has deployed more than 3,000 of its MXK platforms with more than 150 service providers globally. Total subscriber capacity supported by these deployments now exceeds 20 million.