Conexon Leads Transformational Excellence in the Broadband Industry, Wins 2021 Calix Partner Impact Award

Missouri-based broadband solutions provider honored for contributions in connecting rural America and closing the digital divide

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) today announced that Conexon was named the winner of the 2021 Calix Partner Impact award at Calix ConneXions 2021 in Las Vegas. This award recognizes a partner whose accomplishments throughout the year have had a substantial positive impact on shared customers and/or the broader industry. An Elite Partner in the Calix Partner Community, Conexon has played a pioneering role in helping electric cooperatives transform their businesses to become broadband providers and connect underserved communities across the United States.

“We are deeply honored to receive this recognition from Calix,” said Randy Klindt, founding partner at Conexon. “Conexon’s goal is for every home and business across rural America to have access to reliable, affordable, world-class, high-speed internet delivered through fiber networks. Electric cooperatives across the country are making a brighter future possible for millions. We are proud to be working with Calix to make this vision a reality.”

Formed in 2015 to support rural electric cooperatives with end-to-end fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) solutions, Conexon is widely viewed as the gold standard for rural electric co-op fiber networks. Conexon was selected as the winner of the Calix Partner Impact award for their many contributions that have transformed the rural broadband landscape.

• Leadership in the RDOF program and associated grant process. Conexon’s Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium (RECC) was awarded more than $1.1 billion in the FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction to deploy FTTH networks in rural communities across 22 states. The RECC was the RDOF’s largest bidding consortium, winning more states, locations, and funding awards than any other consortium.
• Creation of Conexon Connect to make high-speed broadband even more accessible. Conexon has moved beyond its core consulting and advisory capabilities with the launch of Conexon Connect, its internet service provider (ISP) created to operate and manage FTTH networks for cooperatives and investors. Conexon Connect is partnering directly with electric cooperatives to build a 100 percent fiber network to serve all homes and businesses in the co-op's territories, providing access to life-changing broadband services.
• Comprehensive marketing services and solutions to fuel customer success. Conexon offers turnkey marketing solutions and services to help customers effectively market their FTTH networks and drive adoption of broadband services. To date, Conexon’s marketing reach is more than 800,000 homes and businesses.

“Conexon has been instrumental in extending the reach of critical broadband services to rural communities that would otherwise be left behind, helping to close the digital divide,” said Skip Hirvela, vice president of regional sales partners at Calix. “Backed by innovative solutions and services, they have had a tremendous impact in empowering electric cooperatives and helping them transform their business to take advantage of this huge growth opportunity. We are proud to partner with Conexon and delighted to present them the 2021 Calix Partner Impact award.”

Register for the ConneXions 2021 Learning Experience, which takes place virtually November 16-18 at Calix.com.

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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