Electric co-ops choose Calix for broadband service networks

Access network technology supplier Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) says it has supplied systems to the Illinois Electric Cooperative and Missouri's Barry Electric Cooperative and Callaway Electric Cooperative to enable the three service providers to add fiber-enabled broadband offerings to their portfolios.

Illinois Electric Cooperative, which serves 10 central Illinois counties, will use Calix Compass Consumer Connect Plus software, 844G GigaCenter, and E7-2 Modular Access System to help power IllinoisNet.com. The co-op will offer triple-play services over a fiber-optic network to more than 2200 members in the communities of Winchester and Bluffs. With sign-ups exceeding expectations, Illinois Electric is considering expanding its footprint, Calix reports.

"Much like electricity revolutionized rural America in the 1940s, we expect fiber to once again transform our communities," said Sean Middleton, manager of engineering at IllinoisNet.com. "This technology will allow our members, both businesses and consumers, to communicate in ways they have never been able to in the past. Through our work with Calix, as well as our triple-play partners Co-Mo Connect and Big River Telephone, we look forward to bringing world class broadband to our fiber-enabled communities."

Meanwhile, Barry Electric Cooperative is deploying a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network through its GoBEC subsidiary in five communities in Barry and McDonald counties in southwest Missouri. The five-year project launched last month and aims to connect all of Barry Electric's 6,700 members. The FTTP deployment began in the county seat of Cassville; as it expands, the fiber-optic network is expected to include 1100 route miles of fiber.

GoBEC will offer video and Internet services at rates up to 1 Gbps. The company will leverage Calix Compass Consumer Connect Plus software, 844G GigaCenters, and E7 systems as well.

In the third deployment, Callaway Electric Service Co., LLC, a subsidiary of Callaway Electric Cooperative, has partnered with Kingdom Technologies Solutions, a subsidiary of Kingdom Telephone Cooperative, to form Callabyte Technology, LLC. The new venture will offer triple-play services, including gigabit broadband, to members in Callaway County, MO. Callabyte will begin with a pilot project, then expand its fiber network. Callaway Electric Cooperative will build the mainline infrastructure, and Kingdom Technologies Solutions will manage the customer connections.

Callabyte expects to bring subscribers online throughout 2016. The fiber network will include Calix Compass Consumer Connect Plus software, 844G GigaCenters, and the E7-20 Terabit Access System.

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