Calix Conducts Twenty Millionth FCC Broadband Performance Test With the Most Scalable, Trustworthy, and Simple Solution for Compliance in the US

Rhea-AI Summary

Calix has successfully completed over 20 million tests for its Broadband Performance Testing solution, with one million dedicated to speed tests. This solution aids broadband service providers in complying with FCC testing requirements, critical for securing federal funding. A notable collaboration with Wittenberg Telephone Company led to a 20% enhancement in broadband performance test outcomes. Calix's service includes the Calix Support Cloud and GigaSpire systems, facilitating seamless testing and reporting. The company maintains a market lead in FCC testing solutions, further strengthening its industry position.

Positive

• Completed over 20 million tests, improving broadband performance compliance.
• Successfully enhanced testing outcomes by 20% for Wittenberg Telephone.
• Maintains a market lead in FCC performance testing services.

Negative

• None.

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) today announced that it has completed more than 20 million tests—one million for speed—with its comprehensive Broadband Performance Testing solution, comprised of Calix Support Cloud (CSC), GigaSpire® BLAST and GigaCenter systems, and the Broadband Performance Testing Service. This combination of offerings is the most scalable in the industry, enabling broadband service providers (BSPs) to efficiently identify, analyze, and rectify network issues that impact broadband performance testing, allowing their teams to remain compliant with intricate Federal Communications Commission (FCC) testing requirements.

United States federal funding for broadband deployment projects, which reached more than $4.5 billion in 2020, requires compliance with rigorous speed and latency performance standards set out by the FCC. Applicants must successfully complete this testing or risk losing up to 25 percent of their monthly funding from the program. To make its testing process painless and efficient, Wisconsin-based Wittenberg Telephone Company / Cirrinity engaged closely with the Calix Professional Services team. Calix helped Wittenberg uncover provisioning issues and test-server problems—and ended up improving broadband performance tests by up to 20 percent.

“Through the Calix Performance Testing Service, we were able to cut through the noise of hundreds of thousands of tests and pinpoint the issues that were dragging down our test results, and we immediately saw a huge improvement,” said Scott Nyman, general manager and CEO, Wittenberg Telephone Company. “Moreover, the detailed, customized reporting and analysis provided by Calix has allowed us to proactively resolve issues with our broadband subscribers. The experience with Calix has been overwhelmingly positive—the FCC testing process is quite complex and time-consuming, and Calix has been with us every step of the way to ensure that we are positioned to meet our FCC obligations and deliver the performance that our subscribers expect.”

The broadband performance testing solution from Calix includes:

• Calix Support Cloud: This highly scalable cloud-based test controller eliminates the complexities of setting up tests and collecting and providing the results per FCC requirements.
• GigaSpire BLAST Systems: In addition to powering the Ultimate Wi-Fi 6 experience for subscribers, GigaSpire BLAST systems double as an unobtrusive test client for FCC broadband testing applications, enabling BSPs to automatically and transparently perform the required speed and latency tests needed for FCC reporting purposes.
• Broadband Performance Testing Service: This Calix professional service is designed to help BSPs establish a workable broadband testing framework. Calix experts consult with BSP operations teams to set up testing endpoints, train them on CSC and GigaSpire BLAST test clients, and help them run the required pre-tests. A key element of the service, Calix generates actionable reports every month and reviews the analysis with the service provider to identify and resolve issues that could impact overall results. Finally, Calix regularly shares best practices through exclusive webinars covering the latest industry developments on testing and the regulatory process.

Van Buren Telephone Company, which serves the southeast Iowa region, turned to Calix when its previous performance testing solution did not meet expectations.

“We were rapidly approaching the April 7th pre-test reporting deadline and needed to find a new testing solution to ensure that we were adhering to FCC performance standards or possibly risk losing funding,” said Monte Hagge, general manager of Van Buren Telephone. “With a robust, tightly integrated testing solution, Calix came highly recommended by other service providers. Working with Calix Professional Services, we moved from install to actually conducting tests in just over two weeks, which is absolutely phenomenal. More importantly, not only did the Calix solution address our immediate, urgent requirement for performance testing, it has positioned us to begin offering managed Wi-Fi services to our subscribers in the future.”

Pre-testing reporting deadlines currently loom for participants in the Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM I), A-CAM I Revised, Alaska Plan, and Rural Broadband Experiment programs. Combined with the USDA ReConnect and state funds, this series of government programs accounted for a $4.5 billion budget in 2020.

“Calix was first to market with our FCC testing service two years ago, and we have extended that market lead as we gained deep operational experience supporting our customers through the FCC broadband performance testing process, starting with the broadband providers that had to complete the USAC pre-tests in January 2020,” said Martha Galley, senior VP of customer engagement at Calix. “Our solution makes testing simple and painless. Calix customers have run 20 million speed and latency tests—nearly half of them in the last 30 days. This tremendous figure underscores just how scalable and field-proven the Calix solution is and reinforces the integral role that our services team plays in helping customers navigate and successfully complete the FCC testing process.”

Learn more about Calix Broadband Performance Testing—schedule a consult today or watch the replay of our webinar, “Overcome Performance Testing Challenges,” featuring Wittenberg Telephone.

About Calix

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) – Calix cloud and software platforms enable service providers of all types and sizes to innovate and transform. Our customers utilize the real-time data and insights from Calix platforms to simplify their businesses and deliver experiences that excite their subscribers. The resulting growth in subscriber acquisition, loyalty and revenue creates more value for their businesses and communities. This is the Calix mission; to enable communications service providers of all sizes to simplify, excite and grow.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are based upon management's current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this release, and we assume no obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement to reflect any event or circumstance after the date of this release, except as required by law. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from current expectations based on risks and uncertainties affecting Calix’s business. The reader is cautioned not to rely on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Additional information on potential factors that could affect Calix's results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210401005232/en/

FAQ

What recent achievement did Calix (CALX) announce regarding broadband testing?

Calix announced it has completed over 20 million tests with its Broadband Performance Testing solution, enhancing compliance for service providers.

How has Calix's testing solution benefited Wittenberg Telephone Company?

Wittenberg Telephone Company experienced up to a 20% improvement in broadband performance test results after engaging with Calix.

What is the significance of the FCC compliance for broadband service providers?

Compliance with FCC standards is crucial for service providers to secure federal funding, which can be reduced by up to 25% if testing is not completed successfully.

How does Calix support broadband service providers in testing?

Calix provides a scalable solution through its Support Cloud and GigaSpire systems, ensuring seamless testing and reporting to meet FCC requirements.

What market advantage does Calix hold in broadband performance testing?

Calix is recognized as the first to market with FCC testing services and has extended its lead through operational experience and successful customer support.