Vendor looking for VARs in the Zhone
Networking firm predicts a big year for triple-play solutions and goes on recruitment drive
Networking equipment vendor Zhone Technologies is looking for resellers to help it capitalise on the growing triple-play market. The triple-play market comprises internet, voice and video technology.
Vince Kerr, Zhone’s director for Northern Europe, said: “Our core focus has been working with telcos to provide broadband access and metro optical networking, but we have very strong triple-play solutions. This market is beginning to grow and I think this year it will really take off.”
The main methods of connecting to the internet are through Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), but the very high data rate DSL (VDSL) method is set to take off, according to Zhone.
In December, Zhone launched a high bandwidth solution to coincide with the new VDSL2 standard, which delivers speeds up to 10 times the performance of ADSL.
Zhone’s VDSL2 solutions provide the highest bandwidth available over copper wires and allow carriers to deliver packet voice, data and video services over their existing copper loops, claimed Zhone.
Kerr added: “We have three active resellers in the UK, but would be interested in talking to more. Our products are used in the telco space so potential VARs need experience in the telco market.
“We’re a relatively young company so we’re still evolving our partner programme, but we do offer our resellers attractive margins.”
Rob Bamforth, principal analyst at Quocirca, said: “Zhone is yet another player in the triple-play space. There are a number of companies there and the challenge for them is that over time their products are going to become commoditised. How will they all differentiate themselves? Quad-play is an emerging space – it’s basically everything that triple-play offers but with gaming as well.”