South Central Connect expands GPON FTTH coverage via Calix Intelligent Access EDGE

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) says that South Central Connect, a wholly owned subsidiary of the South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative (SCAEC), has upgraded its GPON fiber to the home (FTTH) network with Calix’s Intelligent Access EDGE. By using the AXOS platform element, South Central Connect will be able to reach more subscribers via its FTTH infrastructure, the broadband technology provider asserts.

South Central Connect was founded in December 2016 and began FTTH network construction in October 2017 using Calix’s E7-2 Intelligent Modular System managed by the company’s EXA operating system. The deployment initially targeted the 10,000 members of the co-op. However, due to an increase in demand and an opportunity to serve more customers, the broadband services provider switched to Intelligent Access EDGE, part of Calix’s more recent AXOS platform. Use of Intelligent Access EDGE reduces the number of elements needed to provision subscribers, manage services, and maintain networks, says Calix, thus enabling South Central Connect to as much as double or triple its customer count by offering services outside of its co-op area.

“As a local electric cooperative, our mission is deeply personal, so providing broadband was a once in a lifetime opportunity to serve our communities, neighbors, friends, and families,” corroborated Marty Allen, broadband manager for South Central Connect. “However, as we began our network rollout, we saw immediately that the demand for broadband would also be an immense growth opportunity for our business. Extending broadband services into surrounding communities is critical and enables all of us to benefit from infrastructure that attracts new businesses and enables schools. The transition has been amazing, and I am really looking forward to the next 4-5 years. Broadband is saving rural America.”

Co-op broadband infrastructure specialists Conexion and the Calix Professional Services team have assisted in the deployment of the new capabilities, which also includes Calix’s Services Management Connector (SMx).

“Even as we transition from stay at home to reopening parts of the economy, this global health crisis has fundamentally changed the way we do business,” said Mark Dressler, senior vice president of global sales for Calix. “The need for reliable broadband has never been more important, and South Central Connect is a fantastic example of an electric cooperative stepping up to deliver for its community, even looking beyond its traditional membership.”

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