More Than a Utility: Here’s How To Reimagine Your Communities With Broadband

Bringing broadband to your city is one of the most complex projects you’ll ever take on. It involves making decisions that will shape how residents live, learn, work, and connect for decades—while also navigating technology choices, funding hurdles, and ongoing operational demands. The right partner should make that journey as seamless as possible.
 

That’s why more municipalities are turning to Calix.
 

Our approach reduces complexity at every stage—so your team can focus on outcomes, not headaches, and keep day-to-day operations low-maintenance while continuously introducing new offerings that strengthen your community for years to come.

The proof is in the results. Across the country, cities like yours see broadband as more than a basic utility—it’s a catalyst for change that fuels growth, innovation, and quality of life. In fact, a 2024 study by the Center on Rural Innovation found that rural counties with high broadband adoption rates experience:

• 213 percent higher business growth
  
  
• 44 percent  greater GDP growth
  
  
• 18 percent  higher per capita income growth

Here's one community showing what’s possible when the right partner brings simplicity, flexibility, and long-term value to every stage of the broadband journey..

Pharr, Texas: Affordable Internet and Digital Services for Everyone

The city of Pharr is the ultimate turnaround story. Historically overlooked in infrastructure expansion, the city faced persistent gaps in connectivity and was ranked the worst-connected city in the U.S. in 2019. Students relied on fast-food Wi-Fi to complete their homework. When the pandemic hit, Pharr fast-tracked a bold plan to build and build and operate its own municipal network—delivering affordable, reliable internet to every resident, regardless of ZIP code.


Through their partnership with Calix, Pharr brought services to their residents that improved quality of life and improved the efficiency of municipal services.  Calix SmartLife™ managed services to deliver tailored digital services that meet the unique needs of both residents and small businesses. For residents, Calix SmartHome™ solutions offer built-in tools for online safety, content filtering, and digital wellness—making home connectivity simple, secure, and seamless. For small businesses, Calix SmartBiz™ capabilities provide secure, high-performance broadband with dedicated networks for staff, customers, and point-of-sale systems, plus cloud-based management and customer engagement tools.
 

Pharr’s award-winning network is transforming every aspect of community life—advancing digital equity, improving education and healthcare access, and expanding economic opportunity. It’s a powerful example of what’s possible when municipalities lead with vision and choose the right partner to bring it to life.

Broadband: The Fourth Utility

Calix is the partner municipalities trust to deliver broadband with the reliability and simplicity people expect from their utilities. Whether you’re designing a new network or expanding digital services for your community, our flexible platform adapts to your goals. From construction to service launch and beyond, we simplify operations, reduce risk, and help you deliver experiences that evolve with your residents’ needs.
 

With SmartLife managed services, you can introduce offerings that are relevant, secure, and easy to manage—whether for families at home or small businesses on Main Street. And with our ecosystem of experts, you’ll move faster and stay focused on what matters most: building a connected future.
 

The result is more than a network; it’s a lasting public asset. Your residents gain access to the connectivity and services they deserve. Your operations stay efficient. And your city builds a digital foundation that will serve generations to come.