Vianet Selects DZS Fiber-to-the-Home Solutions to Deliver Powerful Broadband to Rural Ontario

Rhea-AI Summary

DZS (NASDAQ: DZSI) has partnered with Vianet to enhance broadband access in the underserved Township of Carling, Ontario. Utilizing advanced fiber-to-the-home technology, the initiative aims to provide high-speed internet to 240 homes, significantly improving connectivity for rural residents. Funded partly by Canada's Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN), the project began with a 10Gbps GPON fiber link. DZS's reliable solutions are enabling this community to access vital digital services, showcasing a strong commitment to bridging the connectivity gap in rural areas.

Positive

• Partnership with Vianet to expand broadband access in Carling.
• Project facilitates high-speed internet to 240 homes, enhancing connectivity.
• Funding support provided by CENGN for project scalability.
• DZS's technology proven effective in meeting rural broadband challenges.

Negative

• None.

Regional broadband leader leverages resilient, cost-effective DZS fiber access technology to make high-speed connectivity a reality for underserved Canadians in the Township of Carling and beyond

PLANO, Texas, July 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DZS (NASDAQ: DZSI), a global leader in optical and packet-based mobile transport, broadband connectivity and software defined networking solutions, today announced that Vianet, a Sudbury, Ontario-based communications service provider, has selected its fiber-to-the-home technology to bring high-capacity broadband access networks to hundreds of residents of the Township of Carling, a traditionally underserved rural community in northern Ontario, Canada.

“This project marks a major milestone for our subscribers in the Township of Carling area, who are now enjoying faster, more stable and more affordable network connections at a time when robust digital connectivity is of unprecedented importance for rural families,” said Will Gasteiger, President and Founder of Vianet. “At Vianet, our roots are in rural Canada, and helping bring reliable broadband to rural Canadians is our mission. These projects are made possible by our fruitful partnership with DZS, whose technology we have trusted for over 20 years, Canada’s Center of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN), who helped fund the project, the Township of Carling, and the homeowners themselves.”

To bring high speed internet to the Township of Carling, Vianet brought a 10Gbps GPON fiber link to a disused, 280-foot tower in nearby Parry Sound, where it had previously established fiber. Vianet constructed a new tower at the Township of Carling and linked the two via a 1Gbps microwave signal. They brought fiber to subscribers’ premises from there, as dense tree cover prevented linking homes to the tower directly. Current service levels are 50Mbps down/10Mbps up for internet with no data caps. Canada’s Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN) provided 50% of the initial funding due to the project’s unique approach. While the original project scope was 80 homes, it quickly expanded to all 240 homes in the catchment area. Vianet has applied to government funding programs to extend their fiber to a further 89 homes. Vianet is also involved with DZS in multiple other projects serving approximately 25 rural communities that are also already deployed or in the planning phase.

As part of the deployment to the Township of Carling, DZS provided a range of its FTTx solutions, including the DZS Velocity MXK-F219 with GPON OLTs and DZS Helix 2424A1 ONTs. Vianet selected DZS for its experience with comparable deployments, local support, and product scalability, making them competitive for low density deployments.

“DZS has over two decades of experience meeting the needs of underserved and unserved communities in North America, Europe and around the world with flexible, standards-based FTTH technology,” said Jay Hilbert, Executive Vice President of AEMEA Sales at DZS. “As Canada, the US and many other nations take steps to bring high-capacity broadband access networks to rural areas, DZS remains proudly committed to supporting network expansion and upgrade projects through our extensive, multi-gigabit capable broadband access portfolio. We are especially pleased by our joint success with long-time partner Vianet, whose forward-looking approach, technical innovation and unwavering commitment to rural subscribers exemplify what it takes to meet rural broadband challenges.”

In the Township of Carling, as with many rural broadband projects, geography and geology pose special challenges that call for cooperation between the service provider and the municipality. Here, extremely thin soils covering hard bedrock made telephone poles and conventional underground trenches prohibitively expensive. In the spirit of partnership and mutual benefit, the township agreed to allow Vianet to lay their fiber conduit in roadbeds where necessary. This flexibility allowed the project to remain viable.

For new subscribers that Vianet is now reaching in the Township of Carling, stable high-speed connectivity has a tremendous impact on quality of life by giving them access to streaming services, fast data uploads/downloads and other bandwidth-intensive, cloud-based services that many people living in cities have long taken for granted.

“The Township of Carling project demonstrates a cost-effective, innovative approach to bridge the connectivity gap for underserved communities like those in northern Ontario,” said Jean-Charles Fahmy, President & CEO, CENGN, Canada’s Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks, a key project funder. “We at CENGN congratulate Vianet and its community and business partners for their close collaboration in helping to build stronger local economies in their region.”

Developed for service reliability in demanding environments, DZS FTTH infrastructure is enabling Vianet to “close the digital divide” with high-performance, resilient, multi-service solutions that meet rural and underserved communities’ bandwidth, scalability, and cost requirements. Known worldwide for reliable products and responsive service and support, DZS anticipates continued strong demand for its innovative, standards-based portfolio of fiber access solutions.

For more information on Vianet’s work in the Township of Carling, watch this video: https://www.vianet.ca/about/projects/carlingvideo/

And for more information regarding DZS and its fiber access solutions, visit https://dzsi.com/fttx/.

About DZS
DZS Inc. (NSDQ: DZSI) is a global leader in optical and packet-based mobile transport, broadband connectivity and software defined networking solutions. With more than 20 million products in-service and customers and alliance partners spanning more than 100 countries, DZS is helping many of the world’s most advanced and innovative service providers and enterprises leverage the power of 5G, 10 gig fixed broadband, and software-defined networks to deliver cutting-edge services and lead in their markets.

DZS, the DZS logo, and all DZS product names are trademarks of DZS Inc. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective holders. Specifications, products, and/or product names are all subject to change.

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect the beliefs and assumptions of the Company’s management as of the date hereof. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. The Company’s actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, those risk factors contained in the Company’s SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including without limitation, the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and subsequent filings. In addition, additional or unforeseen affects from the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic climate may give rise to or amplify many of these risks. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. DZS undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

For further information see: www.DZSi.com.
DZS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dzs_innovation
DZS on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/DZSi/

About Vianet

Vianet, a full-service telecommunications service provider based in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, has been creating rural broadband possibilities in Ontario and Quebec since 1995. We take pride in our ability to leverage diverse technologies to deliver broadband network access over our own fiber optic and wireless networks, and through strategic partnerships with other carriers. Committed to providing reliable data, voice and television services to underserved communities, Vianet succeeds by focusing on local customer service and expert technical support.

Press Inquiries:
McKenzie Hurst, Thatcher+Co.
Mobile: +1 408.888.6787
Email: mhurst@thatcherandco.com

FAQ

What is the significance of the DZS and Vianet partnership in Carling?

The partnership aims to deliver high-speed broadband access to 240 homes in Carling, significantly improving internet connectivity in a traditionally underserved area.

How much funding did CENGN provide for the Carling broadband project?

CENGN provided 50% of the initial funding for the project, which focuses on expanding broadband access in rural communities.

What technology is DZS providing for the broadband expansion in Carling?

DZS is supplying its fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) technology, including GPON solutions, to enhance connectivity for residents in the Township of Carling.

What are the current internet service levels provided to Carling residents?

Residents are receiving internet service speeds of 50Mbps down and 10Mbps up, with no data caps.

How does the Carling project impact local residents?

The project improves quality of life by providing stable high-speed connectivity, enabling access to streaming services, cloud-based applications, and essential digital resources.