Calix SmartHome Evolves So Broadband Providers Can Protect Vulnerable Residential Subscribers From Sophisticated Cyberattacks

Rhea-AI Summary

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) has announced significant updates to its Calix SmartHome™ offering, aimed at helping broadband service providers (BSPs) meet evolving residential subscriber needs with enhanced security and comprehensive services. The updates include:

1. A redesigned CommandIQ® app for easier network management
2. Standard security services: ProtectIQ®, ExperienceIQ®, and new ScamWatchIQ™ for dark web monitoring
3. Premium services like HomeOfficeIQ™ for mobile backup and GamerIQ™ for optimized gaming

These innovations enable BSPs to combat increasing cyberattacks, support remote work, and enhance gaming experiences. The Calix Broadband Platform integration allows for quick service launches with minimal operating expenses, positioning BSPs as experience providers in a market where speed alone is insufficient.

Positive

• Introduction of new security features to combat increasing cyberattacks
• Launch of premium services tailored for specific subscriber needs (remote work, gaming)
• Redesigned CommandIQ app for easier network management and increased brand awareness
• Integration with Calix Broadband Platform for quick service launches with minimal OPEX

Negative

• None.

Insights

Tech Expert

Calix's SmartHome update represents a significant leap in residential cybersecurity and network management. The integration of ProtectIQ, ExperienceIQ and ScamWatchIQ as standard features addresses the growing $10.5 trillion cybersecurity threat projected by 2025. This proactive approach positions Calix's BSP customers to differentiate themselves in a market where speed alone is no longer sufficient.

The redesigned CommandIQ app enhances user experience and brand engagement, potentially increasing customer loyalty and reducing churn. New premium services like HomeOfficeIQ and GamerIQ cater to specific high-value market segments, offering opportunities for BSPs to increase ARPU.

Crucially, Calix's platform allows BSPs to launch these services with minimal OPEX, leveraging real-time insights for efficient deployment. This could lead to faster time-to-market and improved competitive positioning for BSPs adopting the Calix ecosystem.

Cybersecurity Analyst

The introduction of ScamWatchIQ and its premium version, ScamAssist, marks a significant advancement in consumer-level cybersecurity. Dark web monitoring and identity theft protection services are typically offered by specialized security firms, so their inclusion in a broadband service package is innovative and adds substantial value.

The 24/7 monitoring and support for identity theft issues, including assistance with credit freezes and fraud alerts, addresses a critical need as cyber threats escalate. This proactive approach to cybersecurity could significantly reduce the impact of identity theft and financial fraud for subscribers.

However, the effectiveness of these services will depend on the quality of the dark web monitoring and the expertise of the support team. BSPs will need to ensure they can deliver on these promises to maintain credibility and customer trust in an increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape.

New Calix SmartHome offerings include advanced security features with powerful standard and premium options, enabling customers to combat escalating digital threats while delivering enhanced experiences for remote work, gaming, and more

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) announced significant updates to Calix SmartHome™ that will help broadband service providers (BSPs) meet every home internet need with enhanced security and comprehensive offerings. Unveiled at Calix ConneXions, these SmartHome innovations make it easier for BSPs to support the growing demands of residential subscribers, seamlessly handling online work, play, and more—all on one network. The redesigned Calix CommandIQ^® app lets subscribers manage advanced network settings, ensuring a smooth experience for everyone in the home. Critical security services—ProtectIQ^® network-level cybersecurity, ExperienceIQ^® advanced content controls, and new ScamWatchIQ™ for dark web identity monitoring—will come standard in SmartHome. These offerings will help BSPs defend subscribers from increasing cyberattacks projected to cost $10.5 trillion by 2025. Additionally, new premium SmartHome managed services will allow BSPs to further tailor offerings for unique subscriber needs like HomeOfficeIQ for mobile backup or GamerIQ™ for optimized gaming performance.

SmartHome transforms BSPs into experience providers, enabling them to succeed in a market where speed alone is insufficient. Because SmartHome is integrated with the Calix Broadband Platform, BSPs can leverage real-time insights to quickly launch new services with minimal operating expense (OPEX). This enables them to deliver exceptional experiences that enrich family time, support growing remote work careers, and power thrilling online entertainment. Premium managed services like anti-cyberbullying monitoring and property protection with connected cameras will further set Calix customers apart while addressing the growing responsibility to safeguard their subscribers. In 2024, cyber threats from state-affiliated, criminal, and ideologically motivated actors have escalated, increasingly targeting U.S. residents.

With the evolution of SmartHome on the Calix Platform, BSPs have the tools to create safe, value-based broadband offerings that address every residential need, thanks to:

• New dark web protection with 24/7 monitoring and claim support. ScamWatchIQ is a standard SmartHome managed service for dark web monitoring that alerts subscribers of threats and provides actionable response tips—easily managed in CommandIQ. Calix customers can also deploy a premium version, ScamAssist^®, for deeper identity scam resolution services and 24/7/365 access to identity theft professionals. ScamAssist specialists help subscribers file claims, place fraud alerts, and initiate credit freezes with agencies. Both ScamWatchIQ and ScamAssist safeguard subscribers’ identities by monitoring far beyond what is accessible through traditional search engines.

• More personalized experiences for remote workers and gamers. HomeOfficeIQ™ provides mobile backup for work-from-home subscribers, keeping essential devices connected during service outages or weather disruptions to enhance the remote work experience. Subscribers can link their Calix GigaSpire^® system to personal mobile hotspots and choose which SSID networks to back up. For gamers, GamerIQ offers a “hardcore gamer” setting that can be activated with a single click through CommandIQ, enabling easy prioritization of gaming systems.

• A faster app experience for easier network management and increased brand awareness. Calix is reimagining the CommandIQ app as part of its SmartHome evolution, delivering a more intuitive, customizable experience for subscribers. The redesigned app, fully customizable with the BSP’s brand, is integrated into every SmartHome package and features an enhanced home screen with quick-access tiles, carousels, and easy navigation. Subscribers can seamlessly manage Wi-Fi, monitor network activity, and access billing and service updates. The upgrade also provides fast access to new managed services like identity and social media monitoring while enabling BSPs to embed custom links and offers—boosting engagement and brand interaction.

“The expanded SmartHome managed services portfolio will enable us to better serve our customers with critical services to help them be safe and have a better online experience,” said Marcus Bott, vice president of operations at Rally Networks. “Since these services are integrated with the Calix Platform, our team can easily launch them while keeping OPEX low. This enables us to swiftly implement new services that protect all our residential subscribers from rising cyber threats while empowering remote workers, supporting students, providing families with peace of mind, and keeping gamers engaged with seamless and safe connectivity.”

Calix customers can access Calix Success for support deploying SmartHome managed services. The Success team offers help with everything from network design and optimization (Success Delivery) to tailored guidance for launching new services and reducing time to revenue (Success Guidance). Customers also benefit from 24/7 support for network and service availability (Success Support) and access to top-tier training and certification (Success Education).

“Community-focused broadband service providers now have the opportunity to protect even the most vulnerable subscribers, like the elderly, who are frequently targeted by sophisticated cyberattacks,” said Michael Weening, president and chief executive officer at Calix. “With the latest SmartHome enhancements, we’ve listened to our customers and made it simpler for them to meet their growing responsibility to protect residential subscribers from increasing security threats. After investing over a decade and more than $1 billion into our platform, Calix customers remain agile and can quickly incorporate new innovations to meet evolving household broadband needs—all backed by advanced security. This is the future of residential broadband, and Calix customers are leading the way.”

SmartHome is part of the Calix SmartLife™ portfolio of purpose-built managed services, enabling BSPs to quickly and seamlessly deliver tailored Wi-Fi services for different subscriber segments using the same cloud-enabled broadband platform. The portfolio also includes SmartTown^® (community), SmartBiz™ (small business), and SmartMDU™ (multi-dwelling units).

Calix ConneXions attendees can stop by the SmartHome booth at the Wynn in Las Vegas, October 14 and 15.

Discover how SmartHome managed services and the Calix Broadband Platform drive residential market growth for BSPs.

About Calix

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX)—Calix is a platform, cloud, and managed services company. Broadband service providers leverage Calix’s broadband platform, cloud, and managed services to simplify their operations, subscriber engagement, and services; innovate for their consumer, business, and municipal subscribers; and grow their value for members, investors, and the communities they serve.

Our end-to-end platform and managed services democratize the use of data—enabling our customers of any size to operate efficiently, acquire subscribers, and deliver exceptional experiences. Calix is dedicated to driving continuous improvement in partnership with our growing ecosystem to support the transformation of our customers and their communities.

This press release contains 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.

Calix and the Calix logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Calix and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Calix’s trademarks can be found at https://www.calix.com/legal/trademarks.html. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

ScamAssist is a registered trademark of Generali Global Assistance, Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241014749504/en/

Press Inquiries:

Alison Crisci

919-353-4323

alison.crisci@calix.com

Investor Inquiries:

Nancy Fazioli

investorrelations@calix.com

Source: Calix, Inc.

FAQ

What new security features does Calix SmartHome offer?

Calix SmartHome now includes ProtectIQ network-level cybersecurity, ExperienceIQ advanced content controls, and new ScamWatchIQ for dark web identity monitoring as standard features. A premium version, ScamAssist, offers deeper identity scam resolution services.

How does Calix SmartHome support remote workers?

Calix SmartHome offers HomeOfficeIQ, which provides mobile backup for work-from-home subscribers. It keeps essential devices connected during service outages or weather disruptions, enhancing the remote work experience.

What improvements have been made to the CommandIQ app for CALX?

The CommandIQ app has been redesigned with a more intuitive, customizable experience. It features an enhanced home screen with quick-access tiles, carousels, and easy navigation for managing Wi-Fi, monitoring network activity, and accessing billing and service updates.

How does Calix SmartHome cater to gamers?

Calix SmartHome includes GamerIQ, which offers a 'hardcore gamer' setting that can be activated with a single click through the CommandIQ app. This enables easy prioritization of gaming systems for optimized performance.