DASAN Zhone Solutions

What DASAN Zhone Solutions does

DASAN Zhone Solutions (DZS Inc., operating as Zhone) is a global telecommunications equipment vendor that designs, manufactures, and sells broadband access, optical transport, and cloud orchestration solutions for communications service providers, cable operators, mobile network operators, WISPs, municipalities, and electric co-ops across more than 50 countries. The company's product portfolio is organized around four strategic layers: the Access Edge (anchored by the DZS Velocity OLT platform supporting GPON, XGS-PON, 25G-PON, and 50G-PON, plus the DZS XCelerate system-on-a-card line cards and DZS Helix ONT/gateway family); the Connected Edge (Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 gateways, Fixed Wireless Access, and Fiber Extension); the Optical Edge (DZS Saber environmentally hardened coherent optical transport platform delivering 100-400 Gbps per wavelength without climate control); and Zhone Xtreme/DZS Cloud (vendor-neutral network orchestration and AI-driven WiFi experience management software). DZS serves over 200 active customers including marquee operators such as Telstra, Orange, Rakuten Mobile, Telus, Virgin Media O2, and NBN.

The business operates a hybrid revenue model combining hardware sales (OLTs, ONTs, optical transport, WiFi gateways) with subscription-based cloud software (DZS Xtreme, DZS Cloud, DZS Xperience) and professional services. Go-to-market is predominantly direct enterprise field sales supplemented by a global channel partner ecosystem, with quote-based pricing for service providers. DZS grew through a series of acquisitions (Optelian in January 2021, RIFT Inc. in March 2021, ASSIA assets for $25M in May 2022, and NetComm Wireless in June 2024) and raised $56M via a January 2021 share offering. The company underwent a 2023 financial restatement due to supply chain challenges, divested its Wi-Fi and service assurance business for $34M in October 2024, and ultimately filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2025. MNSi (Managed Network Systems, Inc., a Canadian fiber ISP backed by the Zekelman family) announced its intention to acquire substantially all DZS assets and re-establish the Zhone brand under a new corporate entity headquartered in Plano, Texas.

Name

DASAN Zhone Solutions

Legal name

DZS Inc.

Website

https://zhone.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

DASAN Zhone Solutions (DZS/Zhone) designs and sells broadband access (GPON/XGS-PON OLTs/ONTs), optical transport, and cloud orchestration software to communications service providers, MNOs, and enterprises across 50+ countries. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2025, with MNSi announcing an asset acquisition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Broadband Network Equipment

NAICS

Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411), Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing (33421), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)

SIC

Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

WDM Line Systems (ROADM/OADM/Amplifiers) (HDAFADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Edge Orchestration & Management Platforms (Provisioning, Fleet Mgmt) (HDABAOAF), Service Provider OSS/NMS (Carrier Network Management) (HDAFAGAL), NaaS Connectivity Services (On-Demand VPN, SD-WAN-as-a-Service, Bandwidth-on-Demand) (HDAIAIAH), Edge Networking & SD-WAN Integration (SASE/SD-WAN Edge On-ramps) (HDABAGAJ)

Keywords

• Broadband access equipment
• Optical transport solutions
• Fiber access networks
• Network orchestration software
• 5G mobile xHaul

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Broadband Access & Transport Hardware: Sale of fiber access OLTs, ONTs, optical network terminals, WiFi gateways, fixed wireless access equipment, and coherent optical transport platforms to service providers and enterprises.
2. Cloud Software & Orchestration: Subscription and license fees for DZS Xtreme, DZS Cloud E2EO, DZS Xperience, and DZS CloudCheck software platforms for network automation, service assurance, and WiFi experience management.
3. Professional Services: Network design, architecture, project management, consulting, and managed SaaS delivery services alongside product deployments.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DASAN Zhone Solutions (DZS/Zhone) designs, manufactures, and sells broadband network edge equipment and cloud orchestration software for communications service providers and enterprises. Its portfolio spans the Access Edge (GPON/XGS-PON/50G-PON OLTs, ONTs, WiFi gateways), the Optical Edge (environmentally hardened coherent optical transport platforms), the Connected Edge (FWA, fiber extension, WiFi), and DZS Cloud / DZS Xtreme software for vendor-neutral network orchestration, automation, and AI-driven subscriber experience management.

Product overview

Zhone (DASAN Zhone Solutions / DZS) is a global leader of Network Edge, Home/Enterprise Connectivity, and Cloud Software solutions that enable broadband everywhere. The company's portfolio is organized around four strategic edge layers — Access Edge, Connected Edge, Optical Edge, and Zhone Xtreme (cloud orchestration) — supported by a comprehensive suite of professional services. The Access Edge is anchored by the DZS Velocity OLT platform (V6, V16) and DZS XCelerate line cards supporting GPON, XGS-PON, 25G-PON, and 50G-PON, with subscriber premises termination via the DZS Helix ONT/Gateway family (including Wi-Fi 6/7 and EasyMesh). The Connected Edge extends gigabit services to the home via Wi-Fi gateways, extenders, Fixed Wireless Access (AurusLINK), and Fiber Extension solutions. The Optical Edge is defined by the DZS Saber coherent optics platform (Saber-6400, Saber-4400, Saber-2200), delivering hardened 100–400 Gbps transport at the network edge without climate control. The cloud software layer — DZS Cloud — encompasses DZS Xtreme for vendor-neutral end-to-end orchestration and automation, DZS Xperience for AI-driven WiFi experience management, and DZS CloudCheck for subscriber-facing WiFi diagnostics and self-service. Copper Access and Traditional Systems round out support for legacy migrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zhone Xtreme: End-to-end vendor-neutral network orchestration platform for automation and management of connectivity services.
• DZS Velocity
• DZS Saber
• DZS Helix
• DZS Cloud
• DZS Xperience
• DZS XCelerate
• DZS FiberLAN
• DZS CloudCheck

Products and services

• DZS Velocity (Access Edge) Fiber access optical line terminal (OLT) platform supporting GPON, XGS-PON, 50G PON, and beyond for multi-gigabit broadband service delivery. Targets communications service providers.
• DZS Helix (Optical Network Terminals) Family of Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) and residential/small business gateways that terminate fiber at the subscriber premises, including GPON, XGS-PON, 10G PON variants with WiFi 6 and EasyMesh, managed via DZS Cloud.
• DZS Saber (Optical Transport) Environmentally hardened coherent optical aggregation router family for the optical edge and middle mile. Saber-6400, Saber-4400, and Saber-2200 deliver 100-400 Gbps per wavelength, operate from -40°C to +65°C without air conditioning, and scale to over 1 Tbps per shelf.
• DZS Xtreme (SDN & Orchestration) Vendor-neutral, end-to-end network orchestration and automation platform spanning access, transport, and 5G slices across multi-vendor network elements, network functions, and cloud infrastructure. Uses no-/low-code practices and a single-pane-of-glass approach.
• DZS Cloud (Cloud Software Platform)
• DZS Velocity V6 Fiber access system recognized for record-breaking performance capabilities, supporting high-density multi-gigabit GPON and XGS-PON deployments.
• DZS Velocity V16
• Professional Services
• Zhone Academy
• Support Plans

Quantifiable outcome

• 67% reduction in truck rolls, 51% reduction in support calls, $150 average savings on installation costs
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers30 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• TelstraflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 August 2024Telstra, DZS, and Ericsson pioneered multi-slice network capability, demonstrating advanced 5G network slicing capabilities in a live network environment.
• NetComm WirelesscoreTechnology or Integration · 10 June 2024DZS expanded global reach by acquiring Australia's NetComm Wireless in June 2024, broadening its fixed wireless access and broadband access technology portfolio for international markets.
• OrangeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2023DZS and Orange partnered to deploy advanced new fiber technologies across Europe. The partnership includes a fiber pilot in Poland with widescale deployment planned across Orange's European footprint. The collaboration focuses on bringing next-generation FTTP/XGS-PON technologies to European markets.
• TalkTalkflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 January 2023DZS expanded its partnership with TalkTalk for broadband consumer experience management including WiFi management. DZS Cloud EDGE software solutions are deployed to help TalkTalk deliver superior subscriber experience. The partnership won the 2023 Leading Lights Award for Outstanding Home Network Intelligence Use Case.
• Google Cloud / Linux Foundation (Nephio)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 April 2022DZS backed the creation of Nephio, launched by Google Cloud and The Linux Foundation, to advance open, cloud-native, carrier-grade network automation and simplification of network functions virtualization.
• TELUScoreTechnology or Integration · 16 March 2021TELUS chose DZS Cloud for network service orchestration, slice management, and software automation, integrating DZS solutions into TELUS's service delivery infrastructure.
• ASSIAcoreTechnology or Integration · 4 March 2021DZS acquired ASSIA's assets in May 2022 for $25 million to expand its cloud software and subscriber experience management capabilities, strengthening the DZS Cloud software portfolio with ASSIA's service assurance and subscriber experience management technology.
• RIFT, Inc.coreTechnology or Integration · 4 March 2021DZS acquired RIFT, Inc. on March 4, 2021, rebranding RIFT.ware Orchestration to DZS Cloud E2EO. RIFT.ware became the platform basis for DZS Cloud E2EO, with 5G Slice Management and NFV Orchestration as feature packs within the DZS Cloud portfolio.
• Rakuten MobileflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDZS was one of the first global suppliers to create a packet-based mobile xHaul solution for Rakuten Mobile's groundbreaking O-RAN network, which scaled to over 6 million subscribers in Japan. DZS received Asian Telecom Award 2022 for work with Rakuten Mobile.
• EricssoncoreTechnology or IntegrationDZS partnered with Ericsson in multi-slice network capability demonstrations with Telstra. DZS solutions integrate with Ericsson's 5G/O-RAN ecosystem for mobile xHaul transport.
• OpteliancoreTechnology or IntegrationDZS acquired Optelian in January 2021 to expand its mobile transport capabilities, enhancing DZS's optical transport product portfolio for 5G and mobile xHaul applications.
• ETSIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDZS participated in the 6th NFV&MEC Remote API Plugtest 2021 organized by ETSI, testing DZS Cloud E2EO APIs against ETSI SOL003 and SOL005 standards for NFV interoperability and compliance.
• AndorixminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDZS and Andorix partnered to modernize legacy buildings with smart building connectivity solutions, combining DZS's fiber and WiFi technology with Andorix's real estate technology platform.
• INDATELminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorINDATEL is a nationwide network of 700+ rural independent telecommunications providers. DZS delivered a keynote presentation at the INDATEL Business Symposium on bandwidth edge transport challenges, targeting rural service providers for RDOF and BEAD programs.
• Rabalon and Redbird HardwareminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRabalon and Redbird Hardware partnered with DZS to deliver gigabit fiber broadband solutions in the Azerbaijan market.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Ciena: Ciena is a broad incumbent in coherent optical transport (WaveLogic), ROADMs, and network management for tier-1 carriers and DCI. DZS Saber's hardened 100-400G coherent edge platform competes against Ciena's Waveserver and 6500 family at the network edge and middle-mile aggregation layer.
• Cisco: Cisco is a broad incumbent in optical networking (NCS 2000/4000), routing, and service provider SDN/orchestration (NSO, Crosswork). Competes with DZS across optical transport, mobile xHaul (5G/O-RAN integration), and network automation for tier-1 service providers.
• Nokia: Nokia is a broad incumbent in fiber access (Lightspan/MF-2/AF-8), optical transport (1830 PSS), and network orchestration (NetGuard) for tier-1 service providers. While DZS typically wins secondary or Tier-2/Tier-3 slots, Nokia competes for the same fiber access and 5G transport RFPs from large operators like Orange and Telstra.
• Huawei: Huawei is the dominant global incumbent in GPON/XGS-PON OLTs, ONTs, optical transport, and 5G xHaul. Outside of U.S. RDOF/BEAD (where Buy America restrictions exclude Huawei), Huawei competes with DZS across EMEA, APAC, and emerging markets for both broadband access and mobile transport deals.

Direct peers

• Calix: Calix is a direct peer in fiber access systems (OLTs, ONTs) and cloud-based subscriber experience management for broadband service providers. Both companies target Tier-2/Tier-3 telcos, WISPs, electric co-ops, and municipalities with GPON/XGS-PON equipment and managed WiFi/orchestration software — competing head-to-head for the same RDOF/BEAD-funded deployments.
• Casa Systems: Casa Systems is a direct peer in broadband access (CCAP, 10G PON OLTs/ONTs), fixed wireless, and 5G core/xHaul — competing for similar Tier-2/Tier-3 and emerging-market service provider customers. Casa was the prior owner of NetComm Wireless, which DZS acquired in June 2024, indicating direct overlap in product portfolios and channels.
• ADTRAN: ADTRAN is a direct peer selling GPON/XGS-PON fiber access platforms, ONTs, Wi-Fi gateways, and orchestration software to Tier-2/Tier-3 service providers globally. The two companies compete directly for broadband stimulus-funded fiber rollouts in North America and Europe and have overlapping customer bases among Tier-2 telcos and cable operators.

Emerging players

• Ribbon Communications: Ribbon Communications (formerly GENBAND) provides IP/optical networking and session border control for service providers — overlapping with DZS in mobile xHaul, optical transport, and service provider orchestration. Notably, DZS CEO Charlie Vogt is a former CEO of GENBAND, indicating closely linked industry circles and product overlap.
• Infinera (now part of Nokia): Infinera (now part of Nokia) competes in coherent optical transport with ICE-series platforms and is a direct overlap to DZS Saber in 100-400G edge transport. Participated in joint 5G xHaul demonstrations with DZS and Calnex.
• Harmonic: Harmonic provides virtualized cable access (CableOS), fiber access OLTs, and optical transport platforms for cable operators and broadband service providers — competing with DZS in DOCSIS/PON convergence, optical edge aggregation, and broadband access for Tier-2/3 operators and cable operators globally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/zhonetech
• Facebookfacebook.com/DZSInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zhone-technologies

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A10 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DASAN Zhone Solutions