Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) says service provider OzarksGo, a telecommunications subsidiary of Ozarks Electric Cooperative, has selected the Calix AXOS E7-2 Intelligent Modular System and GigaCenters. The company thus becomes the first U.S. electric cooperative to deploy NG-PON2, Calix asserts.
In June of 2016, OzarksGo was launched to deliver broadband to the cooperative's Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma members. Since then OzarksGo's services, including all-fiber gigabit internet, television, and telephone, have met with success, Calix says. OzarksGo's multi-year project to bring fiber-based broadband services to Ozarks Electric Cooperative's entire service area, spanning 7,000 miles of electric line and approximately 74,000 meters, continues to progress.
At the time of the construction launch, OzarksGo began to build a GPON network powered by the Calix E7-20, an earlier generation platform. Now with the AXOS E7-2 and next-generation PON, OzarksGo can leverage its current fiber infrastructure investment to supply services over NG-PON2 and GPON, says Calix. OzarksGo's network supports coexistence of both technologies on a single fiber-optic network, enabling it to make use of all NG-PON2 features, including housing smart grid applications on one wavelength and residential services on another by separating different services on various wavelengths. According to Calix, NG-PON2 channel bonding and additional features will further improve OzarksGo's subscriber services by implementing symmetrical broadband speeds of up to 40 Gbps per subscriber.
OzarkGo's decision to deploy the Calix AXOS E7-2 and GigaCenters follows closely on the heels of Giggle Fiber's announcement that it also will use the Calix E7-2 for residential broadband services over GPON (see "Giggle Fiber to deploy Calix AXOS Gfast, GPON technology for fiber-optic network expansion").
"As next-generation fiber standards like NG-PON2 mature, we are seeing that these transformational technologies are not just for large incumbent service providers; they also bring benefits to fiber innovators of all sizes in both suburban and rural communities," said Skip Hirvela, Calix vice president of regional sales. "For service providers like OzarksGo, Calix AXOS systems with NG-PON2 allow them to use one network to cost-effectively deliver the services their subscribers are craving while streamlining their operations. The end result is a win-win for all involved. OzarksGo finds new efficiencies in managing their network, while their subscribers get an unmatched broadband experience."
OzarksGo has plans to provide speeds of up to 40 Gbps with NG-PON2, which will position it for further success, Calix asserts.
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