Oberlin Cable Co-Op Launches Bark In Just 5 Weeks With the Calix Broadband Platform To Protect Local Youth Across Their Ohio Community
January 11 2024 - 2:30PM
Business Wire
Oberlin Cable Co-Op prioritizes protecting
community youth and deploys Bark, offering the social media
monitoring tool to parents at a 60 percent discounted rate as part
of their Digital Equity and Inclusion program
Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) today announced that member-owned
Oberlin Cable Co-Op (Oberlin) is promoting digital equity by making
the family-focused social media monitoring tool Bark available at a
60 percent discount in their northern Ohio community. Regardless of
financial means, every family and child deserves access to safe and
secure broadband. Oberlin leverages their investment in the Calix
broadband platform to deliver security-focused managed services
like Bark that differentiate them in competitive broadband markets.
Oberlin has built on a noteworthy track record of collaboration
with local institutions and government, embedding their business
further into the lives of their members. By doing so, the broadband
service provider (BSP) joins a growing number of visionary leaders
within the cable segment who are transforming their value
propositions and making a positive difference for their
communities.
“Bark is all about protecting the minds of our youth and loved
ones,” said Jay Shrewsbury, general manager at Oberlin Cable Co-Op.
“The level of security this managed service offers affects every
household and member within our community in a positive, impactful
way and has become a shared initiative among our local
leaders.”
Bark leverages AI to monitor social media platforms, text
messages, emails, and 30+ apps—and alerts parents and guardians
when a child faces online dangers or alarming content. This gives
families the information they need to intervene and take immediate
action. Since Bark is a fully integrated managed service for the
Calix platform, Oberlin launched it in only five weeks with Calix
Smart Start for Managed Services.
In 2020, the member-owned cooperative launched their Digital
Equity and Inclusive Initiatives program to make affordable,
competitive services available for residents who need wireless
internet access. The program includes access to educational
materials to assist with homework and access to medical,
employment, and other critical resources only available online.
Bark is the latest addition to the program, to protect teens and
tweens in the community from the dire effects of unchecked
cyberbullying and other digital dangers. Oberlin’s Bark offering is
endorsed by both the police chief of Oberlin, Ohio and The City of
Oberlin’s Equity Division.
“It is critical to protect the future of our community from the
risks associated with cyber threats,” continued Shrewsbury.
“Easily, the biggest threat to those young minds comes in the form
of cyberbullying and misinformation circulating around the internet
and going viral on social media. Because of this, Oberlin will
continue to focus on defending the mental health of our children
and students through education and awareness—and, by using Bark
social media monitoring, our community can work together to
overcome this threat.”
Prior to their Bark deployment in November 2023, Oberlin
launched an advanced managed Wi-Fi service to create safer
experiences for their members—bundling home network security with
ProtectIQ® and advanced content and parental controls with
ExperienceIQ®. Both services provide an extra layer of
protection that continues to exceed expectations with high rates of
member satisfaction while also garnering widespread support. Bark
only strengthens those offerings by expanding the help Oberlin
provides their community.
“Network operators traditionally focus on speed and CapEx—an
outdated and failing strategy that will lead to commoditization
when every market has at least two fast broadband providers,” said
Michael Weening, president and chief executive officer at Calix. “A
purpose-driven broadband provider understands that they play a
critical part in helping a community thrive. This mission is
synonymous with Oberlin's goal as a member-owned cooperative: to
improve life in their community. The Calix broadband platform makes
it easy to be purpose-driven. Our $1.2 billion investment and 13
years of innovation enable us to integrate solutions like Bark so
that Oberlin can focus on educating parents on this important tool
to stop cyberbullying and prevent devastating consequences like
depression and suicide. In 2024, it will become even simpler for a
broadband provider to differentiate from the network operator in
their market by improving the lives of residential, business, and
community subscribers. Our deepest thanks to Jay and the Oberlin
team for allowing us to support their success as they improve their
community.”
Schedule a consultation to learn more about Bark on the Calix
broadband platform.
About Calix
Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX)—Broadband service providers of all
sizes leverage the Calix platform and teams to simplify their
business and excite their subscribers to grow the value of their
business and for their communities for generations. The
democratizing power of the platform and portfolio of managed
services enables them to operate efficiently, acquire subscribers,
and deliver exceptional experiences. Calix is dedicated to driving
continuous improvement in partnership with our growing ecosystem to
support the transformation of our customers and their
communities.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are
based upon management’s current expectations and are inherently
uncertain. Forward-looking statements are based upon information
available to us as of the date of this release, and we assume no
obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement
to reflect any event or circumstance after the date of this
release, except as required by law. Actual results and the timing
of events could differ materially from current expectations based
on risks and uncertainties affecting Calix’s business. The reader
is cautioned not to rely on the forward-looking statements
contained in this press release. Additional information on
potential factors that could affect Calix’s results and other risks
and uncertainties are detailed in its quarterly reports on Form
10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and
available at www.sec.gov.
Calix and the Calix logo are trademarks or registered trademarks
of Calix and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A
listing of Calix’s trademarks can be found at
https://www.calix.com/pages/trademarks.html. Third-party trademarks
mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
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Press Inquiries: Zach Burger 669-369-1991
zach.burger@calix.com Investor Inquiries: Jim Fanucchi
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