Corning, Zhone partner for passive optical LAN, DAS systems deployment

Corning (NYSE: GLW) and Zhone Technologies (NASDAQ: ZHNE) have announced a non-exclusive agreement to co-market Corning’s ONE Wireless Platform, an all-fiber access network solution capable of deploying passive optical local area network (POLAN) and cellular distributed antenna systems (DAS) technologies on a common infrastructure. The result will be quicker system installation, a smaller equipment footprint, and lower cost for enterprise companies, say the partners.

“To meet today’s surging bandwidth demands, converged networks are becoming a necessity,” comments James Norrod, president and CEO, Zhone Technologies. “Zhone’s alliance with Corning will enable enterprise customers to have faster, more reliable service on a unified network that is easy to implement and will optimize the network infrastructure.”

The companies note that, in the past, organizations needed to use network access platforms from multiple vendors to build separate information technology and cellular networks. Leveraging Zhone’s POLAN solution, FiberLAN, and Corning’s ONE Wireless Platform, customers can now deploy an integrated fiber network solution that includes both the electronics and passive fiber-optic components in one converged system.

"This agreement capitalizes on Corning’s expertise in optical connectivity and wireless design, and Zhone’s enterprise-ready fiber access solutions,” concludes Stuart Hoiness, senior vice president of enterprise markets for Corning Optical Communications. “We’re bringing together two leading providers of fiber-based solutions to deliver robust bandwidth to the edge of the network, giving customers greater flexibility, more scalability, and freedom from costly ‘rip and replace’ upgrades in the future.”