Scalable, temperature-hardened platform delivers high-bandwidth connectivity from edge to core—without costly infrastructure upgrades
Plano, Texas, May 7, 2026 – Zhone Technologies, Inc. (“Zhone” or the “Company”), a global leader in access and optical edge infrastructure and cloud-edge software, today announced the SABER-6400—a compact, modular 2RU coherent optical platform purpose-built for metro and edge transport. The platform delivers fiber services at up to 800 Gbps per wavelength and supports multi-degree CDC Flex ROADM functionality.
Building on the success of the award-winning SABER-4400, the SABER-6400 advances optical edge deployments with a customer-first, open approach—eliminating vendor lock-in while enabling long-term scalability in even the most demanding environments.
Designed for flexibility, the SABER-6400 features six hot-swappable modules in a 2RU chassis, supporting a wide range of configurations. It extends Zhone’s industry-leading portfolio of environmentally hardened DWDM solutions, operating from -40°C to +65°C and delivering 10G to 800G+ mixed bandwidth circuits over distances up to 120 km without amplification. Both AC and DC fully redundant power options are available.
The platform scales up to 4.8 Tbps per shelf and supports a stackable virtual chassis with a single management interface—equipping service providers to meet growing demands across optical transport applications, including middle mile networks, utilities and electric cooperatives, enterprise services, data centers, and railway backbone infrastructure.
As bandwidth demand shifts toward the network edge and middle mile, service providers face increasing challenges in delivering high-capacity transport in remote, space-constrained, and environmentally harsh locations. Zhone’s hardened optical platforms address these requirements directly, enabling deployment without costly site upgrades such as cooling systems, shelters, or new infrastructure.
“Trends across middle mile networks, enterprise connectivity, utilities taking greater control of their infrastructure, and the continued transition to XGS-PON are accelerating bandwidth demand at the optical edge,” said Scott Agnew, Chief Product Officer at Zhone. “These environments—often remote and challenging—now require the ability to transport hundreds of gigabits of data. The SABER platform is purpose-built for this shift, bringing high-capacity coherent optics closer to the subscriber while significantly improving deployment economics.”
By enabling coherent optics in compact, hardened platforms, Zhone allows service providers to extend high-bandwidth, long-reach connectivity to the edge—quickly, cost-effectively, and at scale.
The SABER platform supports a wide range of modules, including coherent transponders and muxponders, CDC Flex-Grid ROADMs, optical cross-connects, add/drop modules, EDFAs, Raman amplifiers, and path protection—ensuring flexibility to adapt to evolving network demands while future-proofing infrastructure.
Key Differentiators of the SABER Platform:
- Environmentally hardened: Operates from -40°C to +65°C, eliminating the need for additional cooling systems
- High capacity, Compact & long reach: Supports 10G–800G+ circuits up to 120 km without amplification within a 300mm depth rack environment
- BackBone-ready ROADM capabilities: Extends CDC Flex-Grid functionality from the core all the way to the edge
- Scalable architecture: Up to 3.2 Tbps per 1RU Shelf and up to 4.8 Tbps per 2RU shelf
- Optimized for broadband and future 50G PON:Ideal for fiber expansion, backhaul, and enterprise connectivity
“With deep experience supporting global deployments of 10G+ PON and middle-mile networks, we recognized early that rising capacity demands and edge deployment challenges would converge,” added Agnew. “The SABER platform redefines how coherent optics are deployed—delivering the performance, flexibility, and economics service providers need today and into the future.”
For more information, visit: https://zhone.com/optical-edge/
About Zhone Technologies, Inc.
Zhone Technologies, Inc. is a leading global provider of fiber optic broadband solutions and cloud software services. Zhone Technologies, Inc. aims to accelerate the growth of the FTTx and cloud software markets by leveraging over 25 years of technology innovation. The Company is headquartered in Plano, Texas, and serves a global customer base with a focus on innovative, high-performance solutions. The shareholder base of the Company brings with it over 25 years of experience in the international telecom industry and other leading industries, operational expertise, financial stability and a continued track record for advancing innovation.
Press Contact: For more information about Zhone Technologies, Inc., please visit www.zhone.com or contact John Higgins at 469-581-9204, Email: john.higgins@zhone.com.