Arrowhead Electric to offer GPON FTTH with Calix E7

Arrowhead Electric Cooperative, Inc. will deploy the EXA Powered Calix E7 Ethernet Service Access Platform (ESAP) and the Calix 700GE family of optical network terminals (ONTs) in a GPON rollout funded by the broadband stimulus program, Calix Inc. (NYSE: CALX) says. The co-op plans to offer video, voice, and broadband speeds of up to 100 Mbps to underserved and unserved residences, businesses, and anchor institutions of Cook County in northeastern Minnesota via FTTH.

"It had become increasingly clear to the residents and businesses of Cook County that our tourism industry could suffer if we couldn't offer adequate broadband widely," said Joe Buttweiler, director of member services at Arrowhead Electric. "With this broadband stimulus award, we are bringing one of the nation's most advanced communications infrastructures to our region. Broadband services have become a necessity for the well-being of our county, and we're excited to have the opportunity to work with Calix to bring a reliable, resilient, and future-ready fiber access network to the residents of Cook County."

Arrowhead Electric received more than $16.7 million in awarded funds for the total project. The funding includes an $11.3 million grant, a $4.8 million loan, and $600,000 in matching funds. The co-op also arranged additional local sales tax grant funding in an amount up to $4 million from Cook County.

The new GPON broadband infrastructure is expected to serve approximately 11,363 people, 138 businesses, and 63 community institutions in Cook County. More than 1,100 households and businesses have already pre-registered to join the priority waiting list for the service, Calix reports.

"The combination of Arrowhead Electric and Cook County has emerged as a premier example of what a strong public/private partnership can achieve," said John Colvin, senior vice president of North American field sales and marketing at Calix. "Each party brought a unique set of skills and resources to the table, and the result was an awarded stimulus project that we expect will be truly transformative to the region."

For more information on FTTx/access network equipment, visit the Lightwave Buyers Guide.