Clearfield Introduces FieldSmart ZoneBox for Ceiling and Floor Environments

Designed for Use in Multiple Applications Including Passive Optical LANs to Deliver High Speed Bandwidth to the Desktop

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 6, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clearfield, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLFD), the specialist in fiber management and connectivity platforms for communications providers, today introduced its FieldSmart ZoneBox, a new ceiling/floor mount panel supporting all cable constructions for the inside plant and developed to create a simple network design that reduces time, cost of provisioning and upgrades. Providing access up to 144 fibers in multiple points throughout the network, FieldSmart ZoneBox is ideal for many applications including Passive Optical LAN (POLAN), fiber demarcation, CATV applications, entrance facilities, security systems (CCTV), telecommunications rooms and MDU applications.

"Based on our proven plug-and-play components, this new box is designed to make it easier for those that need to deliver secure high bandwidth services," said Johnny Hill, chief operating officer for Clearfield. "The craft-friendly ZoneBox is ideal for many applications including PON architectures as it can be used as a transition point inside of buildings that can be sub floor mounted, ceiling mounted, or screwed to the wall. When running fiber to the desktop or enterprise network, the ZoneBox is used to break out the distribution cable into dual drops to the desktop."

The FieldSmart ZoneBox's installation design makes it possible to opt for POLANs over traditional Ethernet networks that require tremendous amounts of copper cables and equipment that must be packed in wiring closets. A POLAN, which uses established FTTH GPON technologies, cuts network related floor space costs in half by eliminating the traditional distribution, workgroup switches and cables through the use of passive optics. POLANs thus require less physical space and also reduce or eliminate the cost associated with power, cooling and battery backup. Clearfield's FieldSmart ZoneBox offers a modular plug-and–play optical fiber distribution alternative that results in a future proofed, reliable, robust and cost effective network. 

FieldSmart ZoneBox

The FieldSmart ZoneBox is a small base-box that includes trim kits for ceiling applications that make the box appear that it was born in the ceiling. Adjustable brackets accommodate various floor tile systems. It provides easy scalability from 12 to 144 ports, utilizes Clearfield's Clearview Cassettes, and is preloaded for patch only or patch and splice applications. The ZoneBox features rear access to cassettes and a solid enclosure design to protect slack storage and fiber terminations, providing for quick deployment and intuitive installation and maintenance.  

Clearview Cassettes

Clearfield's patented Clearview Cassette is the building block for Clearfield's FieldSmart fiber management platform. The scalable and modular architecture allows service providers to deploy only the fiber ports required, without sacrificing density or increasing costs.

It is comprised of a system of six parts that fully nest together to support any application. All types of fiber construction can be integrated into the Clearview Blue, Clearview Classic and Clearview xPAK Cassettes. With the Clearview Cassette at its heart, the FieldSmart ZoneBox enables operators to easily scale their networks using the same consistent Clearview Cassette deployment strategy. 

Additional Information and Availability

Clearfield's FieldSmart ZoneBox is GR-326, GR-20 and GR-409 compliant and supports all industry standard singlemode and multimode connectors. Scalable to 144 ports of fiber using Clearview Cassettes, it comes loaded with customers' interface of choice. FieldSmart ZoneBox is now shipping and available from Clearfield or Clearfield's distribution partners. For more information go to: http://www.clearfieldconnection.com/products/boxes/fieldsmart-zonebox.html.

About Clearfield, Inc.

Clearfield, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLFD) designs, manufactures and distributes fiber optic management, protection and delivery products for the communications networks of leading ILECS, CLECs, MSO/cable TV companies and mobile broadband providers. We help service providers solve the Fiber Puzzle, which is how to reduce high costs associated with deploying, managing, protecting and scaling a fiber optic network to deliver the mobile, residential and business services customers want. Based on the patented Clearview™ Cassette, our unique single-architected, modular fiber management platform is designed to lower the cost of broadband deployment and maintenance by consolidating, protecting and distributing incoming and outgoing fiber circuits and enable our customers to scale their operations as their subscriber revenues increase. Headquartered in Plymouth, MN, Clearfield deploys millions of fiber ports each year throughout North America and beyond.

CONTACT: Clearfield PR Contact
         Christy Kemp
         Calysto Communications
         Tel: + 1 404 266 2060 x539
         ckemp@calysto.com

Released October 6, 2014