Nextlink Internet taps Nokia for multi-gig broadband in 12 states

Oct. 10, 2022

The initiative will see Nextlink Internet expand into six new states as well as expand its reach in the six states it currently serves, with a goal of connecting 200,000 homes and businesses.

Stephen Hardy

Nokia says it will supply XGS-PON technology to Nextlink Internet as the rurally focused broadband service provider expands its fiber to the premises (FTTP) footprint. The initiative will see Nextlink Internet expand into six new states as well as expand its reach in the six states it currently serves, with a goal of connecting 200,000 homes and businesses.

The XGS-PON roll out will see Nextlink enter Texas, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Wyoming, and Louisiana. In addition, the company plans to expand into unserved and underserved areas in the states in which it currently operates, a list that includes Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, and South Dakota.

Nextlink will use Nokia’s ONT Easy Start SaaS (software as a service; see “Nokia offers SaaS options for its Fixed Networks platforms”) for service provisioning along with WiFi Beacon residential gateways, which will power outdoor optical network terminals (ONTs) over CAT5/6 with POE+ to eliminate the need for localized power.

“We are on a mission to connect rural America with excellent service,” declared Nextlink CEO Bill Baker. “Nokia’s technology and systems help us do just that. The communities that Nextlink serves can rest easy, knowing that their communications networks are ready for today and generations to come.”

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About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.