Operation IFAST Unites Calix Customers and Local Law Enforcement in the Fight Against Human Trafficking

CALX, news, filings) today announced that longtime customer <a href=\"https://www.cltel.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CLtel</a> and nonprofit <a href=\"https://guardiangroup.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Guardian Group</a> have reached a milestone in the fight against human trafficking with the launch of the <a href=\"https://www.ntca.org/member-services/ifast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IFAST Toolkit</a> at <a href=\"https://www.ntca.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NTCA’s RTIME 2025</a> conference. A key resource of <a href=\"https://guardiangroup.org/operation-ifast/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Operation IFAST</a>— founded by Chris Lovell (CLtel) and Andrea Perry (Guardian Group)—the toolkit trains broadband field technicians to recognize and report signs of human trafficking during onsite visits. It<b> </b>equips broadband service providers (BSPs) with streamlined training and resources from Guardian Group to empower local law enforcement, spread awareness, and raise funds. With BSP technicians entering homes and businesses every day, they are uniquely positioned to identify red flags and make a difference. Unveiled to 2,600 broadband leaders at RTIME, the toolkit launch marks a significant step in expanding Operation IFAST into a nationwide movement.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>An estimated 24,000 adults and children fell victim to human trafficking in the United States in 2024, according to the <a href=\"https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">U.S. Department of State</a>. Today, more than 60 BSPs across 17 states have joined Operation IFAST, including Calix customers like <a href=\"https://www.alliancecom.net/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alliance Communications</a>, <a href=\"https://www.htcinc.net/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Horry Telephone Cooperative</a> (HTC), and <a href=\"https://www.ykc.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">YK Communications</a>. With Calix recently integrating Operation IFAST materials into <a href=\"/content/calix-com/us/en/home/services/education.html\">Calix University</a>, the program now reaches thousands more broadband professionals nationwide.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>“From the moment I met Andrea and the Guardian Group team, I knew the broadband industry could do more to help the fight against human trafficking,” said Lovell. “In just three years, we’ve built incredible momentum, and, with the IFAST Toolkit, I’m confident we’ll soon have trained technicians in every state. Broadband service providers are uniquely positioned to spot signs of human trafficking and report them quickly because of their close community interactions and relationships with local law enforcement. The impact is already clear—early adopters have identified red flags they once missed, and field technicians have embraced the training with pride and responsibility.”</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>In addition to training staff to recognize and report signs of human trafficking within their communities, the IFAST framework also encourages BSPs to take further action. This includes connecting local law enforcement with free resources and support from Guardian Group. It also calls on BSPs to help raise awareness and generate funds to support anti-trafficking efforts.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>“Operation IFAST training opened my eyes to trafficking red flags I hadn’t recognized, even after decades in law enforcement and extensive training,” said Mason City, Iowa, Police Chief Jeff Brinkley. “This work is highly specialized, and many departments lack the resources for effective intelligence gathering. That’s why partnering with Operation IFAST and leveraging Guardian Group’s expertise is so valuable. Their open-source intelligence helps law enforcement act, and now broadband service providers—deeply connected to their communities—are stepping up as part of the solution. When field technicians and police officers work together, we expand trained eyes in the field and enhance public safety.” &nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>“Our local BSP customers do more than provide broadband; they invest in the future of their communities,” said John Durocher, chief customer officer at Calix. “Chris, Andrea, and the entire Operation IFAST team embody the industry at its best—collaborating with nonprofits, partnering with law enforcement, and training field technicians to observe, report, and potentially save lives. There is no greater mission. Calix is honored to stand alongside CLtel, Guardian Group, and the BSPs leading this charge. By incorporating the IFAST Toolkit into Calix University, we can equip even more BSPs with the necessary training, empowering field technicians across U.S. communities to help combat human trafficking. We call on all broadband providers to take action now—every moment matters in this critical fight.”</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Operation IFAST has grown rapidly in fewer than three years, thanks to the joint efforts of BSPs and the Guardian Group to raise funds that expand the impact of the initiative. Local BSPs can get involved with <a href=\"https://guardiangroup.org/operation-ifast/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Operation IFAST</a> today to help protect their community from human trafficking.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p><b>Calix Legal Disclaimer<br>\r\n </b>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&nbsp;www.sec.gov.</p>\r\n<p>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 <a href=\"/content/calix-com/us/en/home/legal/trademarks.html\">https://www.calix.com/pages/trademarks.html</a>. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.</p>\r\n"}}">

SAN JOSE, CA—March 25, 2025—Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) today announced that longtime customer CLtelopens in a new tab and nonprofit Guardian Groupopens in a new tab have reached a milestone in the fight against human trafficking with the launch of the IFAST Toolkitopens in a new tab at NTCA’s RTIME 2025opens in a new tab conference. A key resource of Operation IFASTopens in a new tab— founded by Chris Lovell (CLtel) and Andrea Perry (Guardian Group)—the toolkit trains broadband field technicians to recognize and report signs of human trafficking during onsite visits. It equips broadband service providers (BSPs) with streamlined training and resources from Guardian Group to empower local law enforcement, spread awareness, and raise funds. With BSP technicians entering homes and businesses every day, they are uniquely positioned to identify red flags and make a difference. Unveiled to 2,600 broadband leaders at RTIME, the toolkit launch marks a significant step in expanding Operation IFAST into a nationwide movement.

An estimated 24,000 adults and children fell victim to human trafficking in the United States in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Stateopens in a new tab. Today, more than 60 BSPs across 17 states have joined Operation IFAST, including Calix customers like Alliance Communicationsopens in a new tab, Horry Telephone Cooperativeopens in a new tab (HTC), and YK Communicationsopens in a new tab. With Calix recently integrating Operation IFAST materials into Calix University, the program now reaches thousands more broadband professionals nationwide.

“From the moment I met Andrea and the Guardian Group team, I knew the broadband industry could do more to help the fight against human trafficking,” said Lovell. “In just three years, we’ve built incredible momentum, and, with the IFAST Toolkit, I’m confident we’ll soon have trained technicians in every state. Broadband service providers are uniquely positioned to spot signs of human trafficking and report them quickly because of their close community interactions and relationships with local law enforcement. The impact is already clear—early adopters have identified red flags they once missed, and field technicians have embraced the training with pride and responsibility.”

In addition to training staff to recognize and report signs of human trafficking within their communities, the IFAST framework also encourages BSPs to take further action. This includes connecting local law enforcement with free resources and support from Guardian Group. It also calls on BSPs to help raise awareness and generate funds to support anti-trafficking efforts.

“Operation IFAST training opened my eyes to trafficking red flags I hadn’t recognized, even after decades in law enforcement and extensive training,” said Mason City, Iowa, Police Chief Jeff Brinkley. “This work is highly specialized, and many departments lack the resources for effective intelligence gathering. That’s why partnering with Operation IFAST and leveraging Guardian Group’s expertise is so valuable. Their open-source intelligence helps law enforcement act, and now broadband service providers—deeply connected to their communities—are stepping up as part of the solution. When field technicians and police officers work together, we expand trained eyes in the field and enhance public safety.”

“Our local BSP customers do more than provide broadband; they invest in the future of their communities,” said John Durocher, chief customer officer at Calix. “Chris, Andrea, and the entire Operation IFAST team embody the industry at its best—collaborating with nonprofits, partnering with law enforcement, and training field technicians to observe, report, and potentially save lives. There is no greater mission. Calix is honored to stand alongside CLtel, Guardian Group, and the BSPs leading this charge. By incorporating the IFAST Toolkit into Calix University, we can equip even more BSPs with the necessary training, empowering field technicians across U.S. communities to help combat human trafficking. We call on all broadband providers to take action now—every moment matters in this critical fight.”

Operation IFAST has grown rapidly in fewer than three years, thanks to the joint efforts of BSPs and the Guardian Group to raise funds that expand the impact of the initiative. Local BSPs can get involved with Operation IFASTopens in a new tab today to help protect their community from human trafficking.

Calix Legal Disclaimer
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.