Red River Telephone to Leverage Calix C7 for Regional Broadband Stimulus Project.

Calix announced that Broadband Stimulus award winner Red River Telephone (Red River) has selected the Calix C7 Multiservice Access Platform (MSAP) and 700GE family of optical network terminals (ONTs) to bring broadband services to rural communities across its service area in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

This Fiber Forward initiative will utilize gigabit passive optical network (GPON) technology to enable ultra high-speed Internet services as well as voice services to subscribers in six counties. Significantly increasing the availability of health, education, and public safety services as well as the quality of life across the region, this initiative will bring some of the most advanced broadband services in North America to 1,272 residences, businesses, and anchor institutions. The $10 million Stimulus award consists of a $4.5 million grant, a $4.5 million loan, and $1 million in private investment, which includes plant engineering, materials, labor, and other costs, including access equipment.

"A project of this scope would take us 10 years or more to complete using just our own general funds, and we knew that the deserving citizens of our region couldn't wait that long," said Jeff Olson, general manager of Red River. "With this initiative, we will be making a strategic investment in the future of our member communities, stimulating economic development and allowing the residents and businesses of our region to keep pace with the demands of a global economy."

The Red River Broadband Stimulus initiative will place approximately 690 route miles of fiber optic cable in the proposed communities, covering an area of 918 square miles. Red River will be leveraging GPON and gigabit Ethernet (GE) technologies delivered via the Calix C7 MSAP and 700GE family of ONTs, part of the industry's broadest portfolio of ONTs.

"By bringing broadband connectivity to this rural region that encompasses three-states, Red River is bringing more than a world class communications network to these communities - they are bringing hope and opportunity," said John Colvin, VP of field operations at Calix. "Without Red River's tireless efforts in securing this award, it would have been, by their own estimates, over a decade before they could have afforded to bring this level of connectivity to the region. Instead, their subscribers will soon enjoy one of the nation's most advanced networks."

Aggregate Calix vendor selections by Broadband Stimulus winners for "last mile" and "middle mile" awards have now reached 36 different projects representing approximately $678 million in Stimulus-related grants, loans, and private investment for plant engineering, materials, labor, and other costs, including access equipment.

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