At a conference this week, broadband platform and managed services provider Calix introduced a new way for broadband service providers to extend secure Wi-Fi beyond their footprints, called SmartTown Alliance.
Calix is uniting disparate providers via SmartTown Alliance, which allows providers to share network access and connect subscribers as they travel outside of their markets into different counties, regions, or states. SmartTown Alliance will be available to subscribers of Alliance members using Calix SmartHome managed services.
SmartTown Alliance — which is powered by Calix SmartTown on the Calix Broadband Platform — is meant to give broadband service providers a competitive advantage in residential offerings, Calix said in the announcement. The Alliance provides a secure experience for subscribers via an extensive, authenticated Wi-Fi network.
Unlike public Wi-Fi, this “community-wide Wi-Fi” created through the Alliance doesn’t require repeated authentication. It streamlines secure access to hotspots by using Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint.
Once a user accesses the Wi-Fi network offered at a location, the Passpoint-enabled device will automatically connect upon subsequent visits, eliminating splash pages or sign-in screens. Once connected in this manner, subscribers can roam seamlessly across Alliance member networks without interruption.
The Alliance has charter members, Tombigbee Fiber in Mississippi and SCTelcom in Kansas. Calix said it will expand the Alliance to include broadband service providers of all sizes.
Subscribers will gain Wi-Fi connectivity not only from their own broadband service provider, but from all Alliance members. When a subscriber enters a participating provider’s coverage area, they will automatically and securely connect to a SmartTown Wi-Fi network as if they are home.
Calix customers in 13 U.S. states have deployed SmartTown Wi-Fi, according to this week’s announcement. Because SmartTown leverages the Calix Platform, providers can deploy it with minimal additional training.
“We transformed daily life in Kansas by deploying SmartTown, boosting outdoor connectivity by 75% in Attica alone,” said Carla Shearer, chief executive officer and general manager of SCTelcom, headquartered in Medicine Lodge, Kansas. “With SmartTown, we also provide secure connectivity for educators during school evacuations in areas with limited cell coverage. Adding community-wide Wi-Fi to our residential services increased ARPU by 3%.
“SmartTown Alliance will expand this value, offering seamless, secure Wi-Fi for subscribers beyond our footprint. Calix has been crucial in driving this growth and helping us stand out in a competitive market,” Shearer said.
SmartTown and SmartHome are part of the Calix SmartLife portfolio, which includes SmartBiz for small business and SmartMDU for multi-dwelling units. The latter was also announced this week.
