West Kentucky and Tennessee Telecommunications Cooperative (WK&T), a big winner of broadband stimulus cash, plans to use Calix B6 Ethernet Service Access Nodes (ESANs) and the 700GE family of optical network terminals (ONTs) for its Fiber Forward initiative across western Kentucky and Tennessee.

WK&T’s award consists of a $62 million grant and a $62 million loan to be used for plant engineering; materials; labor; and other costs, including access equipment. It’s one of the largest "last mile" broadband stimulus awards and the largest single award focused on wireline services.

When completed, the WK&T project reportedly will provide this rural region with an advanced broadband infrastructure capable of delivering service speeds as fast as 1 Gbps to its subscribers.

According to the carrier, “This deployment will be one of the nation’s largest Active Ethernet deployments, bringing advanced IPTV services, extremely fast data services, and high-quality voice services to 21,000 homes and 99 critical community institutions such as schools, libraries and public buildings across a nine-county service area.”

Adds Trevor Bonnstetter, CEO at WK&T, "We are looking at this project as a strategic investment in the future of our communities, stimulating economic development and providing the residents and businesses in our service area the foundation for long-term economic growth.”

WK&T will deploy the B6 ESANs with Calix’s ONT portfolio, including the Calix 716GE and 760GX families of ONTs, to deliver broadband access across its targeted service area. The project is estimated to create 160 new jobs in the region over the next three years, and significant anticipated long-term economic stimulus.

This deal is the 55th Calix has signed that involves stimulus dollars.

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