TMCnews Featured Article


March 28, 2011

Calix C7 Supports Broadband Stimulus Project at Red River Telephone

By Rajani Baburajan, TMCnet Contributor


Calix announced Red River Telephone selected the Calix (News - Alert) C7 Multiservice Access Platform (MSAP) and 700GE family of optional network terminals (ONTs) to offer broadband services to rural communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

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.

The investment in the project is expected to bring the most advanced broadband services in North America to 1,272 residences, businesses, and anchor institutions.

“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, in a statement.

“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,” Olson added.

The Fiber Forward project will leverage gigabit passive optical network (GPON) technology to offer high-speed Internet services and voice services to subscribers in six counties. The project is expected to significantly increase health, education, and public safety services as well as the quality of life across the region.

“By bringing advanced broadband connectivity to this rural region that encompasses three-states, Red River is bringing more than just a world class communications network to these communities - they are bringing hope and opportunity,” said John Colvin, vice president of field operations, at Calix.

Recently, Calix announced that TDS Telecommunications, the nation's eighth-largest wireline communication service provider, is upgrading its widely deployed infrastructure of Calix C7 MSAP in 20 states, to bring advanced broadband services to its residential and business subscribers.


Rajani Baburajan is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Rajani's articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Jamie Epstein