How Home Telecom Turned a Vision for Connected Communities Into Reality

Public open Wi-Fi is nothing new—but it’s also nothing to write home about. Across South Carolina’s Tri-County area, people could connect in coffee shops, downtown, and other public areas, but the experience was sluggish, unreliable, and unsecure. That kind of frustrating, inferior Wi-Fi connection didn’t align with Home Telecom’s commitment to quality. As one of the state’s largest independent broadband service providers (BSPs), they knew their subscribers expected more. At home, they enjoyed fast, secure Wi-Fi—so why should they have to settle for less once they stepped outside?

Public Wi-Fi That Feels Like Home  

That simple question sparked a bold idea: What if Home Telecom could extend the in-home Wi-Fi experience across entire communities?  
 

When Home Telecom launched Calix SmartTown®, they did exactly that—delivering fast, secure, seamless connectivity that follows subscribers wherever they go. Whether it’s a festival, the farmers market, or Friday night football, subscribers could now stay connected with the same premium managed Wi-Fi they enjoy at home. 
 

This isn’t your typical public Wi-Fi solution. Home Telecom’s “SmartTown Wi-Fi” is a strategic differentiator, a lifestyle upgrade. A powerful way to elevate the Home Telecom brand and win in fiercely competitive markets, especially as national providers look to move in. 

A Launchpad for Success

The SmartTown Wi-Fi journey kicked off in Nexton, a booming, high-tech community in Summerville. When Home Telecom caught wind that Comcast was moving in, they didn’t wait—they raced ahead to become the first to deliver a premium, outdoor WiFi experience for their subscribers and visitor community.
 

Launching in October 2024, SmartTown Wi-Fi came free with every Home Telecom fiber subscription in Nexton. Visitors could connect via a captive portal and still enjoy safe and secure Wi-Fi connectivity, but only subscribers unlocked the full reimagined community-wide Wi-Fi managed experience that the SmartTown solution delivers. With more than 3,000 access points lit up across the town, an incredible 86 percent of residential subscribers took advantage of the service, far beyond the original 75 percent target. The launch was such a hit, SmartTown Wi-Fi quickly soon became a must-have feature for every new fiber subscriber across Home Telecom’s entire footprint.
 

What began as a test launch turned into a strategy to transform subscriber experiences at scale. By March 2025, SmartTown Wi-Fi had extended to Moncks Corner, just in time to supercharge the town’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Coverage expanded fast to parks, stadiums, and community spaces, turning every gathering into a connected experience.
 

Today, SmartTown Wi-Fi is live in 12 markets across Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. With more than 22,000 active access points and 2 million secure connections to date, it’s clear the community is hooked—four out of every five subscribers are actively using the service. SmartTown isn’t just Wi-Fi—it’s a game-changing service that’s transforming how people live, work, and play.

Built on a Platform That Scales With Demand

At the heart of SmartTown Wi-Fi’s success is a powerful, future-ready foundation. Home Telecom’s network runs on the Calix Broadband Platform and GigaSpire® Wi-Fi systems, giving them the agility to roll out new managed services fast, without the burden of costly infrastructure or operational upgrades. Rolling out SmartTown Wi-Fi was as simple as offering the same SmartHome™ managed services they already provided in the home. This simplicity made it possible to offer SmartTown Wi-Fi free to residential subscribers, fueling rapid adoption and usage from day one.
 

But SmartTown Wi-Fi goes far beyond outdoor access. It’s the backbone of Home Telecom’s bold vision for connected communities. They’re already expanding the platform to support dedicated networks for first responders, seamless connectivity between SmartTown areas, and new deployments in competitive markets across the region.
 

As a founding member of the SmartTown Alliance in South Carolina, Home Telecom is leading the charge in reshaping what community Wi-Fi can be—locally and nationally. They’re helping set the standard for how public networks serve and strengthen entire communities.
 

By extending secure, reliable Wi-Fi beyond the home and into the heart of communities, Home Telecom created a powerful experience that strengthens brand loyalty, attracts new subscribers, and enriches everyday life.
 

They’re not just delivering public Wi-Fi. They’re redefining what it means to be connected—wherever their subscribers go.

Ready to bring community Wi-Fi to your subscribers? Book a consult with a Calix SmartTown expert today to discover how you can elevate subscriber experiences and grow your business.