- NextLight surpasses small business signup goals in Longmont, Colorado, with the rapid launch of Calix SmartBiz.
- SmartBiz enhanced local economic growth by providing secure, managed indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi to support over 40 vendors at events.
- The collaboration with Calix continues to position Longmont as a strategic business hub and innovation center.
In an impressive feat of rapid deployment, NextLight, a municipally-owned broadband service provider, has surpassed its small business signup goals in Longmont, Colorado, by implementing the Calix (CALX, Financial) SmartBiz solution. This initiative, launched in October, has successfully delivered secure, efficient Wi-Fi services to businesses and events, marking Longmont as a burgeoning strategic business hub.
SmartBiz, integrated with the Calix Broadband Platform, has facilitated swift deployment and management for broadband service providers. The service's success is evident in NextLight's achievement of 80% of its first-year subscriber goal within just 60 days, aiming to double its outreach by the end of the year. Businesses ranging from coffee shops and law offices to manufacturers and nonprofits have been among the early adopters of this service.
Highlighting its outdoor capabilities, SmartBiz played a crucial role in the UIAA 2025 World Ice Climbing Cup, hosted by the Longmont Climbing Collective. The event saw participation from nearly 100 elite athletes from 14 countries and thousands of spectators. SmartBiz ensured seamless connectivity for transactions, vendor support, and live streaming, thus enhancing the event experience.
Michael Weening, CEO of Calix, praised NextLight's efforts, stating, "What NextLight is doing for Longmont is remarkable," emphasizing the potential of this model to transform communities by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. NextLight's partnership with Calix reflects a commitment to community-driven broadband solutions that empower local businesses and attract global events. As NextLight explores further service expansion, its collaboration with Calix continues to set a benchmark for small business productivity and community enrichment.
