Smithville Leverages the Calix Platform To Launch SmartBiz in Just Two Months To Support Indiana Small Businesses

SAN JOSE, CA—November 8, 2023—Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) today announced that Smithville Communications (Smithville), the largest privately owned broadband service provider (BSP) in Indiana, is rapidly scaling their business offering with Calix SmartBiz™. SmartBiz on the Calix broadband platform enables Smithville to meet the unique broadband needs of small business owners by packaging managed Wi-Fi, network security, and business productivity on top of high-speed internet access. SmartBiz integrates the same platform, workflow, and systems that Smithville already uses for their residential business. As a result, it took Smithville only two months to launch SmartBiz to thousands of local businesses—immediately expanding their current small business market.

Smithville recently won recognition for their commitment to technological innovation that has a transformative impact on their Indiana communities. They were ranked as a Top 100 U.S. broadband provider by Broadband Communities Magazine in 2023. Their strategy harnesses the power of the Calix platform and managed services to deliver exceptional broadband experiences tailored to various subscribers’ unique needs.

SmartBiz is just the latest managed service Smithville leverages on the Calix platform. In April, they created an elevated service tier for residential subscribers, “Wi-Fi+,” which includes ProtectIQ® network-level cybersecurity and ExperienceIQ® advanced home network controls. In July, Smithville launched Arlo Secure with connected video doorbells and cameras as security add-ons for Wi-Fi+ subscribers.

Indiana is home to half a million small businesses that employ more than 1.2 million people. Smithville enhanced their previous fiber-to-the-premises small business offering with SmartBiz to deliver unique broadband services that will assist local small business owners in building success.

Small businesses have long been overlooked for “just right,” cost-effective productivity solutions despite driving the country’s economic engine. SmartBiz goes above and beyond other solutions with out-of-the-box features such as isolated networks (for business equipment, staff, and guests), a brandable customer Wi-Fi portal, and the CommandWorx™ mobile app, which allows small business owners to monitor and manage their networks from anywhere.

“Small businesses deserve access to the same connectivity and productivity tools as their larger counterparts—it’s table stakes,” said Darby McCarty, chief executive officer and chairman at Smithville. “Local businesses are our lifeblood, and we are eager to add value to their businesses. SmartBiz ticks all the boxes regarding features, and it’s adaptable for use across most kinds of businesses. Plus, Smart Start for Managed Services helped us launch successfully by aligning our entire organization from implementation and technical support to sales and marketing.

“Not only are we continuing to differentiate our residential offering from the competition, but now we’re enhancing our small business market and enabling even more small business owners to succeed. Together, there is great potential to deliver helpful new services that benefit the entire community—further cementing a successful future for the Hoosier State, the crossroads of America.”

“Smithville is a testament to the power of the Calix platform as they enable small businesses in the communities they serve to thrive and grow,” said Michael Weening, president and chief executive officer at Calix. “Over our 20-year partnership, Smithville has successfully leveraged the Calix platform to establish a strong foothold in the residential market and is now catalyzing local economic growth with their expanding business offering. It is very inspiring and a privilege to support them as they continue to delight their subscribers in Indiana.”

Learn how BSPs can meet the needs of small businesses by downloading the eBook “How Broadband Service Providers Can Become the Catalyst for Small Business Growth.”

About Calix
This press release contains 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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