Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) released the names of 12 additional communications companies that have selected elements of the company’s Unified Access portfolio for broadband stimulus projects. Combined, the dozen companies received approximately $153 million in funds from the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) – although not all of this money is headed in the company’s direction, Calix points out.
The projects will use either FTTH or FTTN-enabled DSL to deliver broadband services to unserved and underserved areas in 11 states.
For example, Wilkes Telephone and Electric Company of Washington, GA, which use more than $48 million in loans and grants to build a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network across Lincoln, Taliaferro, and Wilkes counties. The network will leverage the GPON abilities of the Calix E7-2 Ethernet Service Access Platform (ESAP) and the 700GE family of optical network terminals (ONTs). Wilkes hopes to reach more than 7,000 residents, 800 businesses, and 52 anchor institutions with the new infrastructure.
"Here in rural Georgia, it is thrilling to be one of the few companies that can bring truly advanced broadband services to our subscribers via our fiber access network, which was made possible through our broadband stimulus award," said George Dyson, general manager at Wilkes Telephone and Electric. "From the very beginning of the stimulus application process, we knew Calix would be a trusted partner in our fiber project. After working together since 2006, we were confident in the team and the complete Calix solutions portfolio to help support us through this ambitious effort, which will make a huge impact in our local communities and economy."
The other 11 newly announced broadband stimulus customers include:
- Darien Telephone Co. which will use its $447,000 BIP combined grant and loan award to bring fiber-enabled broadband to Sapelo Island off the coast of Georgia.
- F&B Communications will leverage a $3.2 million BIP award to bring data, video, and voice services to rural customers in the Iowa communities of Bennett, Lowden, and Delmar.
- Gervais Telephone Co. has already completed its network, funded via a $628,000 BIP award. The network connects two communities with fiber access technologies, including schools and fire departments in northern Oregon.
- Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska will use a $764,000 BIP grant to build a fiber access infrastructure to the Iowa tribe's federally recognized lands in Kansas.
- Montana Opticom will use a $64.1 million BIP award, split evenly between a loan and a grant, to reach more than 11,900 residences, businesses, and anchor institutions throughout Gallatin County in southwest Montana with fiber-fed broadband services.
- Northern Arkansas Telephone Co. will deploy both fiber and copper technologies to serve Marion and Boone counties in rural, north central Arkansas.
- Ponderosa Telephone Co. will deploy a fiber access infrastructure across a 31-square mile area in north central California, which will enable telemedicine and education applications.
- San Carlos Apache Telephone Utility will construct a new fiber access network with a $10.4 million BIP grant and loan award to deliver broadband and emergency services to five communities, anchor institutions, and tower sites within San Carlos Apache's federally recognized lands in Arizona.
- Shawnee Telephone Co. will lead the Southern Illinois Sustainable Broadband Transformation project with its $7.4 million BIP grant and loan award as well as an additional $1 million in outside investment. The project will bring broadband services to over 1,200 households, 400 businesses, and 35 schools and anchor institutions in the area.
- Stoneham Cooperative Telephone Corp., whose $1.9 million BIP award comprises a grant, loan, and private investment, will build a fiber access network to serve the Colorado counties of Weld, Logan, and Morgan.
- Thacker-Grisby Telephone Co. will target residents, businesses, and anchor institutions in Breathitt County, KY, with a advanced fiber access network funded by a $7.4 million BIP grant and loan award.
"Since the broadband stimulus program was announced, we have been committed to helping our customers through every step of the process, from drafting applications through rolling out networks and turning up services," said John Colvin, senior vice president of North American sales and marketing at Calix. "With 87 announced stimulus projects underway across the country, we remain focused on assisting our customers with their network and community transformations. The real winners, however, are the over 2.7 million citizens and businesses of the mostly remote and rural areas that will be served by these advanced broadband networks."
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