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When Emergencies Strike Local Broadband Providers Deliver a Communications Lifeline for Their Communities With Calix SmartTown

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Calix customers continue to step up for their communities, delivering transformative value with SmartTown and the Calix Platform. Tombigbee Fiber expands secure connectivity to 80 new public spaces in Mississippi, and MGW enhances disaster recovery in Virginia for communities hit hard by hurricanes.

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) recognizes local broadband experience providers (BXPs) for leveraging Calix SmartTown® and the Calix Broadband Platform to deliver critical connectivity to communities, subscribers, and first responders. Increasingly, Calix customers are transforming into BXPs—service providers that have grown and evolved beyond the basic utility mindset to meet every broadband need in their communities. By doing so, BXPs increase their ability to respond swiftly when natural disasters and emergencies occur. At the same time, they are proving that connectivity is not just about technology—it is about people, safety, and growing stronger, resilient communities.

"From the beginning, our vision for Tombigbee Fiber has been to set a new standard for broadband excellence right here in northern Mississippi," said Scott Hendrix, chief executive officer of Tombigbee Fiber and Tombigbee Electric Power Association (TEPA). "SmartTown has been instrumental in turning that vision into reality—elevating connectivity across our communities while enhancing education, job opportunities, and public safety. When first responders need a reliable, high-speed connection in a critical moment, we deliver."

Calix customers continue to deliver significant value to their subscribers and communities with SmartTown and the unmatched efficiency of the Calix Platform. In Mississippi, Tombigbee is expanding free, community Wi-Fi to 80 volunteer fire departments, community centers, libraries, and parks—including 15 new locations in Tupelo. Tombigbee plans to complete the expansion in only three months thanks to support from the Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM) grant. This grant focuses on connecting unserved and underserved areas while promoting economic development, education, and telemedicine.

In Virginia, MGW is securely connecting parks, fields, city centers, and side streets with SmartTown, improving how residents work, play, learn, and communicate. Following successful deployments in towns like Draper and Pulaski, MGW leveraged their existing network to quickly deploy outdoor Wi-Fi after Hurricane Helene, ensuring a swift and effective disaster response. Looking ahead, MGW plans to expand SmartTown to eight more towns in 2025, including Deerfield and Staunton.