Windstream Recognized for Strong Ethernet Growth

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., March 22, 2018 -- Windstream (NASDAQ:WIN), a leading provider of advanced network communications, announced that for the third 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 has resulted in strong market growth that has allowed the company to continue to move up the analyst firm’s ranking from eighth in 2016 to sixth in 2017.

“Windstream’s transformation over the past several years is all about becoming the network partner to businesses with the agility to respond to their unique needs. This is fueled in part by the high-quality service we provide over our multi-terabit long-haul network and our high capacity, packet optical metro networks,” said Joseph Harding, chief marketing officer of Windstream Enterprise. “Vertical Systems Group’s ranking is proof that we are making a positive difference that is recognized by our customers, and we will remain focused on increasing the quality and availability of our MEF 2.0 certified Ethernet services as our transformation continues.”

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 growing demand for Ethernet services, especially in targeted segments with large data demands that depend on dedicated access," said Harding. "This is Windstream's third year on the LEADERBOARD, which confirms the changes and investments we’re continuing to make position us to become the trusted provider that enables customers to transform their business in today’s cloud-centric environment."

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, end-user Ethernet speeds from 3M to 100G. Windstream delivers Ethernet connectivity over several access technologies including fiber, fixed wireless and copper, enabling broad reach and unique last mile diversity solutions.

For more information on Windstream Enterprise and its Ethernet services, please visit www.windstreamenterprise.com.

ABOUT WINDSTREAM

Windstream Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:WIN), a FORTUNE 500 company, is a leading provider of advanced network communications and technology solutions. Windstream provides data networking, core transport, security, unified communications and managed services to mid-market, enterprise and wholesale customers across the U.S. The company also offers broadband, entertainment and security services for consumers and small and medium-sized businesses primarily in rural areas in 18 states. Services are delivered over multiple network platforms including a nationwide IP network, our proprietary cloud core architecture and on a local and long-haul fiber network spanning approximately 150,000 miles. Additional information is available at windstream.com or windstreamenterprise.com. Please visit our newsroom at news.windstream.com or follow us on Twitter at @Windstream or @WindstreamBiz.

Media Contact
Sarah C. Davis, 720.529.7611
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