For a decade, NextLight has been at the forefront of municipal broadband, delivering ultra-fast fiber internet to Longmont, Colorado. With nearly 70% of fiber-enabled homes connected and consistent recognition as one of the fastest ISPs in the U.S. by PC Magazine, NextLight has set a gold standard for publicly owned fiber networks. Now, with growing demand for high-capacity connectivity, the provider is upgrading its backbone infrastructure with Smartoptics’ advanced DWDM solutions and Calix’s Intelligent Access® platform.
NextLight’s latest upgrade enhances its network with seamless 100G and 400G connectivity across its data centers in Longmont, Denver, and Fort Collins. The integration of Smartoptics muxponders and ROADMs with Calix’s AXOS software-defined operating system ensures a scalable, cost-effective expansion. The open networking model of Smartoptics eliminates licensing fees while offering a plug-and-play experience, allowing NextLight’s team to deploy the system in just one day without requiring specialized training.
According to Juan Garcia, Manager of Network Operations and Engineering at the City of Longmont, Smartoptics’ approach to optical networking is not only cost-efficient but also the easiest they’ve ever implemented. The ability to directly communicate with technical experts and receive immediate support has been a game-changer for the municipal ISP.
To further simplify network operations, NextLight has also deployed Smartoptics’ SoSmart software suite, which enables streamlined management of ROADMs and fiber routing. SoSmart Planner provides an intuitive way to model circuits, map fiber paths, and optimize configurations, reducing operational complexity. Looking ahead, NextLight plans to integrate coherent 100G transceivers, enabling cost-efficient IP over DWDM as part of its next phase of expansion.
With a track record of innovation and a commitment to future-proofing its fiber infrastructure, NextLight continues to lead the way in municipal broadband. This upgrade ensures that Longmont residents and businesses remain connected with some of the fastest, most reliable internet speeds available, while setting a benchmark for other cities looking to develop high-performance municipal fiber networks.
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