Zhone Introduces New VoiceFLEX Gateway Module for Scalable Circuit to

Zhone Introduces New VoiceFLEX Gateway Module for Scalable Circuit to Packet Voice Migration

    Business Editors/High-Tech Editors

    OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 20, 2005--

Next-Generation Access Architecture Allows Cost-Effective Migration from Legacy TDM Voice to VoIP over Common Hardware and Management
    Zhone Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ZHNE), the first company dedicated to building total-delivery solutions for voice, data and video content services worldwide, today announced the availability of its new VoiceFLEX(TM) Voice Gateway module for its Multi-Access Line Concentrator (MALC(TM)) products. With this new feature set, the MALC enables a full array of voice, data and video services over efficient circuit or packet-based networks with TDM support for both GR-303 and V5.2, ATM support for AAL2 and ELCP, as well as Voice over IP (VoIP) support for both SIP and MGCP standards-based service implementations -- all in a single platform.
    With the introduction of VoiceFLEX, Zhone's MALC can be deployed both as a remote loop carrier (RT) or Central Office Terminal (COT). As a COT, the MALC is able to aggregate traffic from multiple loop carriers and provide direct host connectivity using native GR-303 and V5.2 signaling. As a COT, the MALC with VoiceFLEX Gateway dramatically reduces the required number of expensive interface groups on the switch, providing unrivalled capacity for over 52,000 subscribers in a single 19 inch chassis measuring just 7 rack units in height.
    VoiceFLEX allows carriers to maintain their existing voice infrastructure while enabling a seamless transition to a multi-service end-to-end IP network. The MALC with VoiceFLEX can be configured to deliver a range of narrowband and broadband services for residential and business subscribers including: traditional TDM POTS, Specials, T1/E1, DSL, Ethernet, and PON. With the Zhone MALC, carriers can now migrate to VoIP without impacting current services, and can readily deliver new services over existing lines.
    "Zhone's MALC was created to provide carriers with a flexible and scalable cost-effective platform for their entire access network," said Jeanette Symons, CTO and Vice President, Engineering for Zhone. "By leveraging existing trunking and line facilities, while providing carrier-class VoIP support, Zhone's MALC and VoiceFLEX Gateway allows carriers to migrate to VoIP at their own pace, with no disruption to existing subscribers and no wasted investment."
    The Zhone MALC can be deployed as a traditional DLC, and then, without any additional hardware, carriers can migrate their trunking and switching facilities to IP without impacting subscribers. And since the MALC is modular, carriers can elect to deploy only the access lines and trunking interfaces they need. Trunking options range from nxDS1 to OC-12/OC-48 to 10BaseT, Gigabit Ethernet and Resilient Packet Ring over Gigabit Ethernet, with the flexibility to add both lines and trunking capacity on an as-needed basis.
    In serving areas with legacy TDM switches, the MALC allows TDM voice traffic to be carried over either GR-303 or V5.2 TDM trunks or over AAL2 ATM uplinks. The Zhone MALC also allows the carrier to cut over to IP on a circuit-by-circuit or location-by-location basis through simple software selection and without the need for incremental hardware.
    The Zhone MALC includes advanced data and video capabilities, including full IGMP v2 multicast switching for video, VLAN support, and IP termination at the RT, with a high-performance non-blocking backplane. The MALC and VoiceFLEX have been tested for interoperability with solutions from the industry's leading feature/application server manufacturers.
    As with the balance of Zhone's products, network management for the MALC and VoiceFLEX Gateway is facilitated using Zhone's graphical ZMS and ZMS-LT Management Systems. ZMS and ZMS-LT provide end-to-end management of voice, data and video services to enable simplified service provisioning. ZMS supports comprehensive Fault management, Configuration, Provisioning and Security (FCAPS) using an open interface for OSS Integration. ZMS has been OSMINE-Certified and is scalable to support multiple locations and millions of subscribers.

    About Zhone Technologies, Inc. (Zhone)

    Zhone (Nasdaq:ZHNE) designs and manufactures network equipment for network operators worldwide. Zhone's products allow network operators to deliver a rich array of voice, data, video, and entertainment services over their existing networks while simultaneously retooling for converged packet based voice (VoIP) and video (IPTV) over copper or fiber access lines.
    Zhone's advanced networking solutions include the Single Line Multi-Service architecture (SLMS(TM)), Multi-Access Line Concentrator (MALC(TM)), Raptor(TM) ATM/IP DSLAMs, FiberSLAM(TM) Optical Line Terminal, Zhone Residential Gateways (ZRG(TM)), GigaMux(TM) Optical Transport Systems and Zhone Management System (ZMS(TM)). With over one million subscriber interfaces shipped and deployments at over 300 carriers including among some of the world's largest networks, Zhone has enabled network operators to reinvent their businesses.

    Zhone, the Zhone logo, and all Zhone product names are trademarks of Zhone Technologies, Inc. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective holders. Specifications, products, and/or product names are all subject to change without notice. Copyright (C) 2005 Zhone Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

For more information, please visit www.zhone.com.

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CONTACT: Zhone Technologies, Inc. Investors, 510-777-7013 investor-relations@zhone.com Jessica Mullens, 510-777-7020 (Media) jmullens@zhone.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE NETWORKING INTERNET E-COMMERCE PRODUCT SOURCE: Zhone Technologies, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005