Zhone Technologies increases FTTx traction in Nordics with FIKAS broadband AS fiber project

FIKAS Broadband AS (FIKAS), a community access television (CATV) and fiber operator in Norway, is deploying the MXK multi-service access node (MSAN) system from Zhone Technologies Inc., a provider of FTTx network access tools, in the Nordics.

The MXK is serving as the groundwork of FIKAS’s fiber build out in the Hammerfest region of Norway, which will provide local consumers and businesses in northern Norway access to high-speed IP-based services over fiber. The region’s challenging terrain and climate conditions have hindered service delivery in the past.  

“Given our region’s tough atmospheric conditions of Arctic cold temperatures, strong winds and high humidity, FIKAS requires a highly reliable and weather-resistant access infrastructure solution,” explains Espen Hansen, CEO of FIKAS. “Zhone’s MXK platform is ideal for these conditions, as well as our bandwidth needs. It provides an extensively redundant, temperature-hardened and scalable solution in our customer communities and we’re excited to have Zhone as a trusted partner that helps us achieve high-quality deployments in a cost-efficient manner.”

The MXK enables FIKAS to build and transition a fiber network with zero downtime of existing services, a key factor in FIKAS’s decision to deploy with Zhone, says a representative. Specifically, the MXK’s high-capacity design provides legacy and advanced service support and maximum service differentiation while ensuring system redundancy and high reliability.

“As noted by FIKAS, the MXK aligns well with the unique needs for their network and their customers, especially given its demand for high reliability, fast uptime and impressive redundancy features,” says Brian Caskey, chief marketing officer of Zhone. “Despite the challenges posed by the climatic conditions in the northern parts of Norway, Zhone is committed to providing FIKAS with an extremely reliable and high performance advanced broadband access network. The consequences of interrupted service are critical; consumers expect continuous delivery of their voice, video and data. FIKAS is a key customer for Zhone as it continues to expand its presence in the Nordics and other parts of Western Europe.”

Zhone’s MXK platform is a fully redundant, carrier-grade all-IP platform and the industry’s first terabit access concentrator. Featuring industry-leading density, scalability and switching capacity, the MXK provides non-blocking capacity of up to 3,600 100 Mbps  GPON subscribers or 360 1G Active Ethernet subscribers. In addition, the MXK’s ability to support forActive Ethernet and GPON on the same system enables FIKAS to configure its networks with maximum flexibility and efficiency. Zhone’s future-proof MXK platform also offers FIKAS multi-access points at highly efficient capacities and costs and enables the utility to seamlessly and cost-effectively integrate additional broadband technologies such as10G GPONas consumer demand dictate in the future and technologies evolve to support higher bandwidth.

LOS Bynett and Tussa Kraft in the Nordic region also announced in late 2010 that they are using the MXK to expand their fiber networks and deliver advanced triple-play services.