JUNE 09, 2021

  • Windstream Wholesale is honored to receive the Connectivity Innovator of the Year Award 2021 from Datacloud Global Awards.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Windstream Wholesale, a leading provider of advanced optical solutions, has received the Connectivity Innovator of the Year Award 2021 from Datacloud Global Awards. Datacloud Global Awards celebrates outstanding achievements across the data center, cloud and edge sectors.

“Windstream Wholesale is honored to be chosen the Connectivity Innovator of the Year by Datacloud Global Awards,” said Buddy Bayer, chief network officer for Windstream. “Our teams, from engineering to sales, pushed hard in 2020 and 2021 to set a number of records in optical transmission that are now driving our industry toward new standards. Innovation is exciting and central to what we do, and we remain committed to meeting customers’ expanding need for high-capacity bandwidth in the most efficient manner for years to come.”

Five key services highlighted Windstream’s recent advances:

  • Windstream was one of the first carriers to install and operate a commercial 400GbE wavelength service;
  • Windstream set an industry record and achieved 800 gigabits per second single-wavelength transmission over 730 kilometers (km) across Windstream’s long-haul network between San Diego and Phoenix;
  • Windstream set a record using Coherent Pluggable technologies for long-haul (1,000 km) routes over a real-world network;
  • Windstream and Colt successfully conducted intercompany beta trials using landline spectrum services, and
  • Windstream introduced the concept Layer Zero Analytics for network operators.

“Windstream will continue to be an early adopter of coherent optical technologies to drive efficient growth and scale of our network and services for our customers,” Bayer said.

Datacloud is the global conference managed by BroadGroup, a division of Euromoney. BroadGroup is the leading company servicing market intelligence, networking, and sector coverage for data center, cloud, edge and the entire global IT infrastructure ecosystem, encompassing everything from technological developments to M&A and beyond.

This year, there were approximately 150 submissions across 15 Datacloud Global Awards categories.

In addition to Wavelengths, Ethernet Solutions, and Dedicated Internet Access, Windstream Enterprise and Wholesale offers a range of complementary network and communications solutions to wholesale and resale customers, including SD-WAN Wholesale, proprietary OfficeSuite White Label, and Cloud SIP and PRI, that are collectively designed to help wholesale customers increase productivity, improve ROI, and win. More at windstreamwholesale.com

About Windstream
Windstream Holdings is a privately held communications and software company. Windstream offers managed communications services, including SD-WAN and UCaaS, and high-capacity bandwidth and transport services to businesses across the U.S. The company also provides premium broadband, entertainment and security services through an enhanced fiber network and 5G fixed wireless service to consumers and small and midsize businesses primarily in rural areas in 18 states. Additional information is available at windstream.com or windstreamenterprise.com. Follow us on Twitter at @Windstream.

Scott Morris, 501-748-5342
[email protected]

Source: Windstream Holdings

MAY 20, 2021

  • Windstream Wholesale has connected its core network to the Telxius cable landing station in Boca Raton, Florida.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Windstream Wholesale, a leading provider of advanced optical solutions, today announced that it has connected its core network to the Telxius cable landing station in Boca Raton, Florida. Telxius is a leading neutral telecommunications infrastructure operator with an extensive tower and submarine cable portfolio.

The Boca Raton cable landing station is the terminal station for the South America-1 (SAm-1) cable system owned by Telxius. Windstream Wholesale has existing connections to Telxius’ landing stations in Jacksonville, Florida, and in Virginia Beach, the landing point of the next-generation Dunant and Marea subsea cable systems.

“We are excited to expand our highly successful partnership with Telxius,” said Joe Scattareggia, executive vice president of Windstream Wholesale. “Our collaboration with Telxius is providing customers with ultra-high capacity connectivity and diversity options coast to coast to major peering locations throughout the U.S., Latin America and beyond.”

“We are proud to be extending our collaboration with Windstream Wholesale with the addition of Boca Raton to their network, which is already connecting our landing stations of Jacksonville and Virginia Beach to all international hubs in the U.S. like Miami, Richmond and Ashburn,” said Enrique Valdés, sales vice president, Northern Region, Telxius Cable.

With a reach of nearly 25,000 kilometers, SAm-1 is a subsea fiber-optic cable ring on the seabed surrounding Latin America, and it is the fifth longest submarine cable system in the world. It has fiber route extensions to Ecuador, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic, in addition to the trans-Andean and trans-Guatemalan terrestrial backbones. It also interconnects the American coasts of the Caribbean, the Atlantic and the Pacific. Boca Raton is its northernmost landing point.

The Windstream-Telxius partnership enhances both domestic and international connectivity options for Windstream Wholesale customers. Domestically, Windstream provides a rich set of high-bandwidth WAN advantages including low-latency transport to major data and international hubs across the U.S., including in Miami, New York City, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Jose. Diverse routing options protect networks against outages, while delivering coast-to-coast transport, as well as connectivity to thousands of Windstream-lit buildings across the U.S.

In addition to Wavelengths, Ethernet Solutions, and Dedicated Internet Access, Windstream Enterprise and Wholesale offers a range of complementary network and communications solutions to wholesale and resale customers, including SD-WAN Wholesale, proprietary OfficeSuite White Label, and Cloud SIP and PRI, that are collectively designed to help wholesale customers increase productivity, improve ROI, and win. More at windstreamwholesale.com.

About Windstream

Windstream Holdings is a privately held communications and software company. Windstream offers managed communications services, including SD-WAN and UCaaS, and high-capacity bandwidth and transport services to businesses across the U.S. The company also provides premium broadband, entertainment and security services through an enhanced fiber network and 5G fixed wireless service to consumers and small and midsize businesses primarily in rural areas in 18 states. Additional information is available at windstream.com or windstreamenterprise.com. Follow us on Twitter at @Windstream.

Scott Morris, 501-748-5342
[email protected]

Source: Windstream Holdings

Investing in Innovation and Technology Trials: Windstream’s Partnership with Colt.

This episode features a conversation with Vivek Gaur, Vice-President of Engineering at Colt Technology Services, and Art Nichols, Vice-President of Architecture and Technology at Windstream. Discover how Windstream and Colt recently partnered to conduct a successful 400G managed spectrum trial test. You’ll also learn why Colt chose Windstream as a partner, and what this partnership means for future collaboration, as both Colt and Windstream pursue innovation and investment in technology trials. Art also reveals some of the upcoming innovation customers can expect from Windstream.  

How PCCW Global Is Delivering On-Demand, Flexible Connectivity.

This episode features an interview with Marc Halbfinger, CEO of PCCW Global, as he discusses PCCW Global’s position in the marketplace, the features and benefits of the Console Connect portal and the company’s key priorities over the next couple of years. Marc reveals network and market expansion strategies and the benefits of their partnership with Princeton Digital Group. You’ll also hear about how Windstream has evolved to increase sustainability and flexibility and meet customer needs.  

Windstream’s Partnership with NJFX: Expanding Capacity to Major Data Center Markets.

This episode features an interview with Gil Santaliz, Founder and CEO of NJFX. Tune in as Gil discusses the vision for his company, and why NJFX chose to partner with Windstream, as well as the benefits of that partnership for NJFX and customers. Gil also reveals the efforts that NJFX makes to keep pace with growth and demand in the marketplace and why flexibility is essential. Discover how NJFX addresses power issues and the importance of diversity from a customer perspective.  

Seaborn Networks: Pioneering Change Through Connectivity and Technology Innovation.

Steve Orlando, CEO of Seaborn Networks, joins the program to discuss his vision for Seaborn over the next five years, and their core areas of focus. Steve also reveals the qualities that Seaborn looks for when forging partnerships, as well as their plan for network expansion. Discover the importance of technology leadership, and Windstream’s recent groundbreaking optical networking trials. Steve also shares his thoughts about why Seaborn chose to partner with Windstream.  

Windstream’s Partnership with Acacia: Creating Record-Setting Solutions in Optical Networking.

This episode features an interview with Tom Williams, Vice President of Acacia Communications, and Art Nichols, Vice President of Architecture and Technology at Windstream. Discover the details about an exciting partnership with Cisco, as well as Windstream Wholesale’s successful live network trial, which successfully deployed 400 gigabits per second single-wavelength transmission over 1,027 kilometers across Windstream’s long-haul network between Phoenix and Los Angeles. Tom also shares his thoughts about why Acacia chose to partner with Windstream, and the benefits of that partnership for customers.  

MARCH 17, 2021

  • Windstream Wholesale and Colt Technology Services recently solidified their technology partnership by successfully trialing an optical spectrum solution.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. & LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Windstream Wholesale, a leading provider of advanced optical solutions, and Colt Technology Services, a leading provider of high bandwidth and on-demand connectivity, recently solidified their technology partnership by successfully trialing an optical spectrum solution, whereby Colt leveraged the Windstream Flex grid open line system between Chicago and Ashburn, Va., to build a 600G wavelength using their own coherent transmission system. Colt leveraged the Windstream-provided managed spectrum to deliver multiple 100GE and 400GE services, traversing nearly 1800 Kms between the business hubs.

Leveraging technologies embedded within its Intelligent Converged Optical Network (ICON) architecture, Windstream was able to demonstrate the advantages of its disaggregated network architecture, multi-vendor open line system scalability, and alien wave support. As part of the ICON functionality, Windstream also presented key performance metrics of the transmission network, a concept known as Layer Zero Analytics, through Windstream Wholesale’s customer portal. By providing these kinds of self-diagnostic metrics, customers are able to independently plan coherent wavelength deployments, self-diagnose service performance and assess the health of the network 24 x 7, as if they were the owner/operator of the open optical line system.

“This trial between Colt and Windstream saw Colt being able to deliver 400G and multiple 100G services over a 600G wavelength using our next-gen transmission system and Windstream’s spectrum offering in a fully integrated way,” said Vivek Gaur, Vice President – Network Engineering for Colt. “Colt has been investing in its high bandwidth, agile, on-demand network – the Colt IQ Network – for many years. We have extensive experience in successfully delivering spectrum solutions for our customers in Europe – however, this successful trial using Windstream spectrum opens the possibility of building out a 100G capable US backbone network. We are also excited for what this trial means for our future collaboration with Windstream, as Colt actively pursues innovation and investment in technology trials to drive potential partnerships – so, we look forward to working together more.”

Since the launch of its IQ Network in 2016, Colt has continued to drive innovation in next-generation optical networking via an extensive program of investment, testing and deployment of leading-edge technologies. Today, the Colt IQ Network is comprised of more than 29,000 on-net buildings and over 900 data centers, making it a truly global network which powers today’s rapid and ongoing digital transformations. Colt’s wide service portfolio delivers a consistent experience between Europe, Asia and North America over a common platform and technology, which makes it possible for enterprises to thrive wherever they operate globally.

“This first foray into managed spectrum by Windstream Wholesale demonstrates the flexibility of our ICON network and the technology’s exciting potential for domestic terrestrial networks,” said Buddy Bayer, chief network officer for Windstream. “It’s another step in Windstream’s ongoing and carefully planned network architectural strategy that leverages the benefits of fundamental design principles of disaggregation, openness, flexibility and network intelligence. As always, the ultimate goal is to meet our customers’ expanding need for high-capacity bandwidth in the most efficient manner for years to come.

“We see this as a foundational milestone in the technology partnership between Colt and Windstream. Looking forward, we envision more groundbreaking collaborations in the arena of open and disaggregated intercarrier services between these two industry leading companies,” Bayer said.

In addition to Wavelengths, Ethernet Solutions, and Dedicated Internet Access, Windstream Wholesales offer a range of complementary network and communications solutions to wholesale customers, including SD-WAN Wholesale, proprietary OfficeSuite White Label, and Cloud SIP and PRI, that are collectively designed to help wholesale customers increase productivity, improve ROI, and win. More at windstreamenterprise.com/wholesale.

About Colt

Colt strives to transform the way the world works through the power of connectivity – taking what’s always been in its DNA to enable customers’ success. The Colt IQ Network connects more than 900+ data centers and over 29,000 on net buildings across Europe, Asia and North America’s largest business hubs.

Colt understands today’s shifting connectivity requirements and provides agile, on-demand and secure high bandwidth networking and voice solutions to ensure enterprises can thrive. Customers include data-intensive organizations spanning over 210 cities in more than 30 countries. Colt is a recognized innovator and pioneer in Software Defined Networks (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV). Privately owned, Colt is one of the most financially sound companies in the sector, and because of this, it’s able to put its customers’ needs at its core.

To view the Colt global network map, visit https://www.colt.net/global-network/.

For more information, please visit www.colt.net.

About Windstream

Windstream Holdings is a privately held communications and software company. Windstream offers managed communications services, including SD-WAN and UCaaS, and high-capacity bandwidth and transport services to businesses across the U.S. The company also provides premium broadband, entertainment and security services through an enhanced fiber network and 5G fixed wireless service to consumers and small and midsize businesses primarily in rural areas in 18 states. Additional information is available at windstream.com or windstreamenterprise.com. Follow us on Twitter at @Windstream.

Windstream Contact:
David Avery, 501-748-5876
[email protected]

Colt Contact:
Sarah Homewood, +447588 275 199
[email protected]

Source: Windstream Holdings

Bulk Infrastructure: Bringing Sustainable Solutions to a Global Audience.

This episode features an interview with Peder Naerboe, Founder and Owner of Bulk Infrastructure Group, as he discusses how his company helps to create sustainable solutions. Peder shares details about a new fiber cable system that Bulk is building between Norway and Denmark and reveals the value of partnering with Windstream. Discover the unique value proposition that Windstream brings to the market, some of the vertical sectors that Bulk is looking to do business with, and the benefits of sustainability for customers.  

FEBRUARY 23, 2021

  • Windstream Wholesale announced the completion of a live network trial that successfully deployed 400 gigabits per second single-wavelength transmission over 1,027 kilometers.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Windstream Wholesale, a leading provider of advanced optical solutions, today announced the completion of a live network trial that successfully deployed 400 gigabits per second single-wavelength transmission over 1,027 kilometers across Windstream’s long-haul network between Phoenix and Los Angeles. The trial set an industry-leading real-world benchmark of 400G using Acacia Communications’ digital coherent optics technology. These compact, low-power, industry-compliant 400G pluggable modules represent the next evolution in driving high-capacity optical connections to the network edge to deliver ultra-fast speeds to more end-users than ever before.

In addition to the industry-leading real-world performance at 400G, Windstream set another industry record by looping back the signal to achieve 300G transmission over 2,054 kilometers using Acacia pluggables.

The optical performance results of the trial mark a milestone in optical networking by demonstrating that high-speed optical transmissions, such as 400G and 300G, can be deployed over Windstream’s high-performance fiber network using compact pluggable modules. At a fraction of the size of comparable network electronics currently in use and as much as 10 times more energy efficient, these multi-MSA compliant pluggables allow for deployment models that were not feasible with previous generations of long-reach optics.

“This record-setting accomplishment by Windstream Wholesale is a gamechanger for optical networks going forward,” said Buddy Bayer, chief network officer at Windstream. “Windstream is executing a well-crafted architectural strategy that embraces fundamental design principles of disaggregation, openness and flexibility. Windstream continues as an early adopter of coherent optical technologies to drive efficient growth and scale of our network and services for our customers. We expect to begin deploying ZR+ coherent pluggable modules in the second half of 2021, a technology that has applicability in as many as 80% of our existing links.”

“Windstream’s live network trial demonstrates the real performance of 400G pluggable outside of a controlled environment,” said Jimmy Yu, vice president of Dell’Oro Group’s Optical Transport research. “This is a significant development in the industry, paving the way for network operators to operationalize the benefits of pluggable optics in the network.”

“Windstream has demonstrated that 400G pluggable coherent modules can support not only metro, but also regional and long-haul network applications,” said Benny Mikkelsen, founder and chief technology officer of Acacia Communications. “Built on highly scalable technology that offers benefits in cost, size and power, we are excited about the opportunities for these pluggables in service provider networks.”

The pending acquisition of Acacia by Cisco will further accelerate the trend toward coherent technology and pluggable solutions.

“Windstream is one of the first network providers to leverage the full capability of 400G pluggable optics in data center interconnect to metro and long-haul applications,” said Bill Gartner, senior vice president of optics and optical at Cisco. “With the emergence of 400G pluggable DWDM optics, we will be able to simplify network design and operations.”

Bayer noted that Acacia’s compact modules can be cost effectively deployed closer to the network edge than conventional electronics for a range of applications from 1000 km long-haul segments to multi-span edge networks. These coherent pluggables can deliver greater bandwidth not only to Windstream’s large wholesale and hyperscale customers, but also to support its business and residential customers.

In particular, Bayer said the technology will support Windstream’s nearly $2 billion initiative to deliver gigabit per second broadband service to 2 million residential customers.

About Windstream

Windstream Holdings is a privately held communications and software company. Windstream offers managed communications services, including SD-WAN and UCaaS, and high-capacity bandwidth and transport services to businesses across the U.S. The company also provides premium broadband, entertainment and security services through an enhanced fiber network and 5G fixed wireless service to consumers and small and midsize businesses primarily in rural areas in 18 states. Additional information is available at windstream.com or windstreamenterprise.com. Follow us on Twitter at @Windstream.

Scott Morris, 501-748-5342
[email protected]

Source: Windstream Holdings