Pend Oreille PUD Chooses Zhone for Broadband Stimulus Project

OAKLAND, CA — The Pend Oreille County Public Utility District (POPUD), a public utility service provider in the northeastern corner of Washington State, has selected Zhone Technologies' MXK platform for its fiber-to-the-home expansion. The Community Network System, a division of POPUD, is a wholesale broadband provider for businesses in this rural county of Washington state. After operating a small pilot FTTH program, CNS is now building out a fiber network to support triple-play services to many of the homes and business in this rural community.

To support the buildout, Pend Oreille County applied for – and won – a stimulus grant with help from an overwhelming response from residents and businesses alike. Zhone equipment is also being used in broadband stimulus projects for Consolidated Communications, the Clarksville Department of Electricity, Grand River Mutual Telephone and Green Hills Telephone Corporation.

“With our $34 million stimulus grant, we chose to work with Zhone and utilize its innovative technology to achieve the performance requirements necessary to address the needs of our newly upgraded network,” says Joe Onley, manager at the Community Network System. “Zhone’s platform and complementary offerings are expected to competently deliver outstanding IP video, voice and broadband data to our customers, including residents and businesses such as schools, doctor offices and local government institutions. Zhone’s product flexibility and collaborative approach were critical factors in our decision as well.”

“The passion and dedication of Pend Oreille PUD customers for this rural broadband stimulus project demonstrates the importance of fiber to the future of communities both in the U.S. and internationally,” says Brian Caskey, chief marketing officer for Zhone.