August 23, 2012- Calix announced the acquisition of gigabyte passive optical network (GPON) fiber access assets from Ericsson. According to the Calix press release, “This partnership, built on a clear alignment of corporate strategy and direction, allows Ericsson to fully leverage its strengths in wireless and end-to-end services while relying on Calix to provide innovation and expertise in fixed-line broadband access. We are excited about the opportunity to assume responsibility for development and support of Ericsson’s fiber access business, and look forward to working closely with Ericsson and its broad customer base as a preferred global partner.”  The acquisition will place Calix in competition with ADTRAN.  According to the Calix website, the company supplies access solutions to “18 of the top 20 US ILECs [incumbent local exchange carriers] – including CenturyLink, Frontier, and Windstream – and many top MSOs, including Cox Communications.”