With SmartTown Alliance, Calix Unites Broadband Providers To Share Network Access and Connect Subscribers Traveling Outside Their Markets

Rhea-AI Summary

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) announced the SmartTown Alliance at Calix ConneXions. This initiative allows subscribers to securely connect to participating broadband service provider (BSP) networks across different regions. Powered by Calix SmartTown on the Calix Broadband Platform, the Alliance unites BSPs to deliver secure online experiences as subscribers travel.

Charter members include Tombigbee Fiber in Mississippi and SCTelcom in Kansas. The Alliance leverages Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint® for streamlined, secure access without repeated authentication. It extends BSPs' value and reach, matching subscribers' lifestyles and strengthening brand loyalty.

SmartTown deployments have nearly quadrupled over the past year across 13 U.S. states, connecting public spaces and events. The Alliance aims to provide consistent broadband experiences for subscribers traveling for work or leisure, even during natural disasters.

Positive

• SmartTown customer growth nearly quadrupled over the past year
• Tombigbee Fiber earned a 92 Net Promoter Score (NPS) after launching SmartTown
• SCTelcom boosted outdoor connectivity by 75% in Attica, Kansas with SmartTown
• SCTelcom increased ARPU by 3% by adding community-wide Wi-Fi to residential services

Negative

• None.

Insights

Technology Analyst

Calix's SmartTown Alliance represents a significant advancement in broadband connectivity, offering a competitive edge to providers. This initiative extends secure Wi-Fi experiences beyond local markets, addressing a important need in today's mobile society. The alliance's ability to provide seamless, secure connectivity across multiple regions without repeated authentication is a notable technological achievement. It leverages Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint®, enhancing user experience and security simultaneously. The platform's efficiency in deployment and operations is particularly impressive, as it utilizes existing infrastructure and processes. This could lead to faster adoption and expansion of the alliance. The potential for increased subscriber retention and ARPU growth, as demonstrated by SCTelcom's 3% increase, indicates positive financial implications for participating BSPs. However, the success of this initiative will largely depend on how quickly and broadly the alliance can expand beyond its charter members.

Market Research Analyst

The SmartTown Alliance initiative by Calix presents a compelling value proposition in the competitive broadband market. It addresses a growing consumer demand for consistent, secure connectivity beyond home networks. This could significantly enhance customer loyalty and potentially reduce churn for participating BSPs. The alliance's ability to differentiate services and extend reach aligns well with evolving subscriber needs, particularly in an increasingly mobile workforce. The rapid growth in SmartTown deployments, nearly quadrupling over the past year, suggests strong market acceptance. Tombigbee Fiber's impressive 92% Net Promoter Score indicates high customer satisfaction, which could translate to word-of-mouth marketing and organic growth for alliance members. The initiative's potential to increase ARPU, as seen with SCTelcom, is a positive indicator for investors. However, the long-term success will depend on the alliance's ability to scale and include a diverse range of BSPs across different regions.

Calix SmartTown Alliance will offer a competitive advantage for broadband providers of all sizes, extending secure Wi-Fi experiences beyond their footprints so subscribers can safely connect to reliable networks as they visit different counties, regions, and states

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today at Calix ConneXions, Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) announced SmartTown® Alliance. With charter members in Mississippi and Kansas, the Alliance will allow subscribers to securely connect to participating broadband service provider (BSP) networks. Powered by Calix SmartTown on the Calix Broadband Platform, the Alliance will expand to unite BSPs of all sizes to deliver secure and content-safe online experiences as subscribers visit other counties, regions, states, and beyond. When subscribers enter a participating BSP’s coverage area, they will automatically and securely connect to a SmartTown Wi-Fi network as if they are home.

Calix customers across 13 U.S. states have successfully deployed SmartTown community-wide Wi-Fi. Momentum continues to increase, with customer growth nearly quadrupling over the past year. These deployments have established independent regions where Calix GigaSpire® and GigaPro® systems power public Wi-Fi hotspots, connecting parks, town squares, high school football fields, and events like rodeos and state fairs. With SmartTown Alliance, subscribers will benefit from safe and secure community-wide Wi-Fi not just from their own BSP but from all Alliance members, starting with Tombigbee Fiber in Mississippi and SCTelcom in Kansas.

“We’ve leveraged Calix innovation to transform broadband in northern Mississippi since our founding in 2019,” said Scott Hendrix, chief executive officer at Tombigbee Fiber and Tombigbee Electric Power Association. “In the past year, we launched SmartTown across our entire footprint, provided broad-ranging access to our customers, free access to first responders, and earned a 92 Net Promoter Score℠ (NPS®). With SmartTown Alliance, we can take the next step to extend our customers' experiences far outside our footprint. Calix has been with us every step, ensuring successful deployment. We’re excited to grow SmartTown Alliance in Mississippi and beyond.”

SmartTown Alliance helps BSPs stand out by enhancing their residential broadband offerings through the ability to:

• Provide a secure experience via an extensive, authenticated Wi-Fi network. Unlike open public Wi-Fi, SmartTown Alliance enables BSPs to offer secure connectivity without requiring repeated authentication. SmartTown uses Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint®, an industry standard that streamlines secure access to hotspots, eliminating splash pages or sign-in screens. Once connected, subscribers can roam seamlessly across Alliance member networks without interruption.
• Extend their value and reach to match their subscribers’ lifestyles. Joining the Alliance allows BSPs to differentiate their services with consistent, secure Wi-Fi experiences. This Alliance will expand BSPs' reach and further enable them to meet evolving subscriber needs, strengthening brand loyalty. The SmartTown Alliance will be available to subscribers of Alliance members using Calix SmartHome™ managed services, extending the home broadband experience to the towns, regions, and states they visit.
• Run incredibly efficient operations while deploying expanded Wi-Fi experiences. Since SmartTown leverages the Calix Platform, BSPs can deploy it with minimal additional training, using the same workflows and processes already in place for residential and business services. With all Alliance members on the same platform, authentication is streamlined, ensuring uniform quality, security, and simplified troubleshooting—key benefits of the Calix Platform.

Calix customers deploying SmartTown have access to Calix Success. The Success team offers help with everything from network design and optimization (Success Delivery) to tailored guidance that reduces time-to-revenue for new service launches (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).

“We transformed daily life in Kansas by deploying SmartTown, boosting outdoor connectivity by 75 percent in Attica alone,” said Carla Shearer, chief executive officer and general manager at SCTelcom. “With SmartTown, we also provide secure connectivity for educators during school evacuations in areas with limited cell coverage. Adding community-wide Wi-Fi to our residential services increased ARPU by 3 percent. SmartTown Alliance will expand this value, offering seamless, secure Wi-Fi for subscribers beyond our footprint. Calix has been crucial in driving this growth and helping us stand out in a competitive market.”

“SmartTown Alliance will allow our customers to deliver a consistent broadband experience for subscribers as they visit family, travel for work, and more,” said Matt Collins, chief commercial operations officer at Calix. “Since its launch, SmartTown has enabled broadband service providers to deliver exceptional value, powering Wi-Fi that reaches across entire communities. Our customers connect public spaces, ensure students can access reliable connectivity beyond school grounds, and power Wi-Fi at local events like football games and rodeos. SmartTown also enables dedicated, secure networks for groups like first responders and municipal employees. The Alliance will extend this value beyond a single provider's network, even allowing individuals displaced by natural disasters to connect in other communities if they lose service at home. Thank you to charter members Tombigbee Fiber and SCTelcom for blazing a new path to create even more value for their subscribers and communities.”

SmartTown and SmartHome are 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 SmartBiz™ (small business), and SmartMDU™ (multi-dwelling units).

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

Discover SmartTown on the Calix Broadband Platform.

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.

Net Promoter®, NPS®, NPS Prism®, and the NPS-related emoticons are registered trademarks of Bain & Company, Inc., Satmetrix Systems, Inc., and Fred Reichheld. Net Promoter Score℠ and Net Promoter System℠ are service marks of Bain & Company, Inc., Satmetrix Systems, Inc., and Fred Reichheld.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241014232228/en/

Press Inquiries:

Alison Crisci

919-353-4323

alison.crisci@calix.com

Investor Inquiries:

Nancy Fazioli

investorrelations@calix.com

Source: Calix, Inc.

FAQ

What is the Calix SmartTown Alliance announced at Calix ConneXions?

The Calix SmartTown Alliance is an initiative that allows subscribers to securely connect to participating broadband service provider networks across different regions, powered by Calix SmartTown on the Calix Broadband Platform.

Who are the charter members of the Calix SmartTown Alliance (CALX)?

The charter members of the Calix SmartTown Alliance are Tombigbee Fiber in Mississippi and SCTelcom in Kansas.

How does the Calix SmartTown Alliance (CALX) benefit subscribers?

The Calix SmartTown Alliance benefits subscribers by providing secure, seamless Wi-Fi connectivity across participating networks without repeated authentication, extending their home broadband experience to other regions they visit.

What technology does the Calix SmartTown Alliance (CALX) use for secure connectivity?

The Calix SmartTown Alliance uses Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint®, an industry standard that streamlines secure access to hotspots without requiring splash pages or sign-in screens.