Dickey Rural Networks subsidiary growing rapidly with the Intelligent Access EDGE and the unique platform that enables lightning fast turn up to deliver an unmatched subscriber experience 83 percent faster than industry averages

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) today announced that Dickey Rural Networks (DRN) and its wholly-owned subsidiary ReadiTech have become the first broadband service provider (BSP) to deliver 10G PON services to subscribers in rural communities along the North Dakota-South Dakota border. The aggressive cooperative, which acquired 19 exchanges to build its original footprint, is a technology pioneer that was the first in the state—and among the first in the nation—to cover its entire 5,000-square mile territory with fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) in 2012. Now, as it continues its expansion to the nearby communities of Mapleton, Casselton, and Horace, the cooperative is upgrading its network to XGS-PON with the Intelligent Access EDGE. As DRN’s expansion under the ReadiTech brand reaches more populated areas, the rural BSP is positioning itself to surpass competitors by capitalizing on its symmetrical 10G service with an unbeatable subscriber experience.

ReadiTech is overbuilding the existing DRN FTTH network with XGS-PON, leveraging 10-Gigabit symmetrical service capabilities to match the best wire speeds available in the state while simplifying network operations to increase efficiency and shed costs. The rural cooperative is delivering the unmatched service directly to subscribers with the AXOS® E7-2 Intelligent Modular System, a uniquely scalable XGS-PON aggregation solution that was recently recognized as a 2021 Lightwave Innovation Review high-score recipient in the category of FTTx Systems. Furthermore, the AXOS Services Management Connector (SMx) enables ReadiTech’s network operations and field teams to seamlessly turn up and provision new services for subscribers in seconds, rather than hours, operational efficiency that delivers significant savings. In addition, Calix Intelligent Access EDGE customers are seeing end-to-end integration be completed in weeks—an 83 percent improvement over industry standard integration times. Through the use of the AXOS Diagnostics Toolbox, ReadiTech now has easy line-of-sight capabilities into its access network, providing a streamlined approach to troubleshoot and proactively address network-related issues simply and quickly.

As it continues its expansion beyond the DRN cooperative footprint, ReadiTech is now positioning itself to deliver the Ultimate Wi-Fi experience to subscribers with the Calix Revenue EDGE. Built on powerful Wi-Fi 6 connectivity with GigaSpire® BLAST system and the Experience Innovation Platform, backed by the subscriber insights of Calix Support Cloud, and delivering fully-managed security and parental controls with the EDGE Suites, this unmatched solution positions ReadiTech to surpass competitive offerings, continue to excite its subscribers, capitalize on its access network investment and grow.

“We have always prided ourselves on delivering the best technology available to keep our subscribers connected, wherever they reside,” said Kent Schimke, CEO and general manager for DRN. “As one of the first service providers to take fiber broadband all the way into the home in 2012, we pioneered the delivery of symmetrical bandwidth in this region. Now, we are ramping the service up to 10G, ensuring we remain well ahead of subscriber demand and already anticipating our next step of delivering an unmatched experience that capitalizes on our network investment. Calix has been a phenomenal partner since the beginning and will continue to be important to our success going forward.”

The DRN cooperative began more than 70 years ago, making it the oldest in the state of North Dakota. It has evolved continuously, maintaining its status as an innovator—especially with respect to fiber broadband service, which it first took into member homes in 2012. Since then, it has added capacity to its backbone network and, under the ReadiTech brand, is set to expand beyond its nearly 8,000-member cooperative footprint to bring unmatched 10G fiber broadband services to other communities in North Dakota and across its southern border into South Dakota.

“A longtime Calix customer, Dickey Rural has set itself up for sustainable growth by investing heavily in its access network, ensuring it can deliver fast, reliable, and future-proof fiber broadband service to its subscribers,” said Mark Dressler, senior VP of global sales for Calix. “Now, as this current rollout accelerates and Dickey Rural expands under the ReadiTech brand, it can reach new communities with fast and Always On connectivity while at the same time, fend off new competition by delivering an exciting subscriber experience with the Revenue EDGE.”

Learn more about the Intelligent Access EDGE solution to simplify business, excite subscribers and grow value. Register for the May 19 webinar, “10G Fiber Networks For The Future: Top Considerations From The Experts.”

About Calix

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) – Calix cloud and software platforms enable service providers of all types and sizes to innovate and transform. Our customers utilize the real-time data and insights from Calix platforms to simplify their businesses and deliver experiences that excite their subscribers. The resulting growth in subscriber acquisition, loyalty, and revenue creates more value for their businesses and communities. This is the Calix mission; to enable broadband service providers of all sizes to simplify, excite, and grow.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are based upon management's current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this release, and we assume no obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement to reflect any event or circumstance after the date of this release, except as required by law. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from current expectations based on risks and uncertainties affecting Calix’s business. The reader is cautioned not to rely on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Additional information on potential factors that could affect Calix's results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov.

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