[November 18, 2009] Zhone and Hardy Team for Broadband Services in Rural West Virginia Tweet Nov 19, 2009 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- Zhone Technologies, a provider of network access solutions, announced that Hardy Telecommunications has selected Zhone platforms and SLMS Access Operating System to expand tiered broadband offerings to business and residential customers throughout its rural West Virginia serving area. Hardy will offer Voice over IP (VoIP) and high-speed data services using a combination of Zhone's ADSL2+ and DSL Reach technologies integrated via the SLMS Access Operating System. Known as the Mountain State, West Virginia's topography is characterized by forested mountain ranges and deep valleys, making Zhone's extended reach DSLAM technology critical to Hardy's success in delivering broadband coverage to 99 percent of its serving area, according to the company. Hardy offers service plans with data rates up to and beyond 6 Mbps, well above the national average. "Our experience with Zhone DSLAMs and modems, and the entire Zhone team is consistently outstanding, which made it an easy decision to choose Zhone for our ADSL2+ expansion," said Bobby Armistead, Project and Internet Operations Manager for Hardy Telecommunications. "The products are high value and low-to-no maintenance and that level of reliability is very important to us given the vast geographical challenges and the number of locations we serve." Hardy currently has over 100 Zhone platforms in 35 locations throughout its serving area, Armistead added. "By delivering reliable high-speed data and VoIP with sophisticated call features, Hardy has contributed in a vital way to the quality of life for both businesses and families throughout the area," said Michael Fischer, VP of US sales for Zhone. "Zhone's integrated approach to access networking provides clear visibility and greater network control which has proved invaluable given the considerable provisioning challenges presented by the rural topography." In addition to tiered broadband over copper and wireless services, Hardy plans to offer tiered bandwidth over fiber, VoIP over copper, VoIP over wireless and VoIP over fiber, further leveraging Zhone's any service/any media technology portfolio. ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]