Broadband Service Providers Gain Edge with Small Businesses Thanks to Calix's SmartBiz Upgrades

By Greg Tavarez November 18, 2024

Broadband service providers, or BSPs, can't just be speed demons anymore. Sure, fast internet is great, but it's not enough to keep subscribers happy. These days, people want more than just a connection – they want an experience. BSPs need to step up their game and become true broadband experience providers.




Think about it. We use the internet for everything – work, play, learning, staying connected. It's become an essential part of our lives. So, BSPs need to offer more than just basic internet service. They need to cater to the diverse needs of their communities.

It would be nice to have a provider that not only offers blazing-fast internet but also provides digital literacy programs for seniors, affordable internet plans for low-income families and even partnerships with local businesses to boost economic development.

Calix has helped BSPs simplify their operations, subscriber engagement and services; innovate for their consumer, business and municipal subscribers; and grow their value for members, investors and the communities they serve.

Calix’s (News - Alert) SmartBiz solution was built for the Calix Platform that enables BSPs to meet the unique needs of their business customers — not as an adaptation of residential or enterprise services. From coffee shops and banks to lumberyards and marinas, SmartBiz has transformed BSP offerings from basic connectivity to comprehensive, secure, tailored solutions that don’t require IT resources to manage.

Integrated for the Calix Platform, SmartBiz is simple to deploy, manage and scale, helping BSPs differentiate in the underserved small business market. The managed service also supports community growth at a low operating expense.

Recently, Calix announced upgrades to SmartBiz.

One of the key benefits of SmartBiz is its ability to support community growth while keeping operational costs low. With recent enhancements to Calix Engagement Cloud, BSPs can now identify and target specific small businesses within their service area. This powerful tool, combined with customizable marketing assets from the Electronic Content Builder, empowers BSPs to launch effective multi-channel marketing campaigns and drive growth.

Calix has also optimized the Field Service App. This means that field technicians can now use cloud-based insights and guidance to efficiently install Wi-Fi systems. This ensures consistent and efficient installations, regardless of the technician's experience level. By providing small business owners with access to the CommandWorx app, technicians help them better understand and utilize self-service tools, which enhances overall customer engagement.

Calix is also committed to helping BSPs accelerate their small business market growth. Through the Calix Smart Start for SmartBiz program, BSPs can quickly deploy, launch and manage their SmartBiz solution, often within just two months. Calix Success managers provide expert guidance, tailored resources and training to ensure a smooth transition and successful launch.

The long-story-short? By partnering with Calix, BSPs can achieve their small business growth goals faster and more efficiently.

“SmartBiz fills a crucial gap for BSPs serving small businesses, which have traditionally relied on piecemeal residential adaptations or scaled-down enterprise models that don’t fully meet their needs,” said Matt Collins, chief commercial operations officer at Calix. “Today’s platform enhancements let BSPs quickly identify, engage, and onboard more small businesses, accelerating their time to market with SmartBiz.”




Edited by Greg Tavarez
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