Windstream recognized for strong Ethernet growth

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Feb. 28, 2017 -- Windstream (NASDAQ:WIN), a leading provider of advanced network communications, today announced that for the second straight year it has climbed analyst firm Vertical Systems Group’s annual ranking of U.S. Ethernet providers.

Each year, Vertical Systems Group issues its Carrier Ethernet LEADERBOARD rankings that include providers with the largest domestic market share. Windstream’s continued capital investments in its local and national fiber networks have resulted in strong market growth that has allowed the company to continue to move up the analyst firm’s ranking.

“Windstream has made a commitment to invest in our technology, people and processes to deliver a best-in-class experience for all of our customers,” said Joseph Harding, chief marketing officer of Windstream. “A significant focus of that investment has been to increase the quality and availability of our Carrier Ethernet services, and Vertical Systems Group’s ranking is proof that we are making a positive difference that is recognized by our customers.”

Vertical Systems Group’s Carrier Ethernet LEADERBOARD is the industry’s foremost benchmark for measuring Ethernet Service Provider market presence. The firm calculates port shares using the base of enterprise installations of Ethernet services, plus input from surveys of Ethernet providers.

"We continue to see the demand for Ethernet services growing, especially in the segments of the market where Windstream is targeting its strategic services," said Rick Malone, principal of Vertical Systems Group. "This is Windstream's second year on our LEADERBOARD, which confirms the company's continued investments in its fiber networks should put Windstream in a good position for the future."

Windstream offers Ethernet services to carriers and directly to enterprise customers in a number of industries, including banking, financial services, education, healthcare, government, hospitality and retail. Windstream’s Carrier Ethernet service is MEF CE 2.0 certified, and it is architected to offer 1G and 10G ENNI ports, single- and multi-mode fiber interfaces, and end-user Ethernet speeds from 3M to 100G. Windstream delivers Ethernet connectivity over a number of access technologies including fiber, fixed wireless and copper, enabling broad reach and unique last-mile diversity solutions.
 
For more information on Windstream and its Ethernet services, please visit www.windstreambusiness.com.

About Windstream
Windstream Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:WIN), a FORTUNE 500 company, is a leading provider of advanced network communications and technology solutions for consumers, businesses, enterprise organizations and wholesale customers across the U.S. Windstream offers bundled services, including broadband, security solutions, voice and digital TV to consumers. The company also provides data, cloud solutions, unified communications and managed services to business and enterprise clients. The company supplies core transport solutions on a local and long-haul fiber network spanning approximately 147,000 miles. Additional information is available at windstream.com. Please visit our newsroom at news.windstream.com or follow us on Twitter at @Windstream.

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