OCTOBER 19, 2021

Revolutionary transceivers will enable a disruption in costs, power consumption and network simplicity

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Windstream Wholesale, a leading provider of advanced optical solutions, announced today that it has partnered with II-VI Incorporated (Nasdaq: IIVI), a global leader in engineered materials and optoelectronic components, to co-develop next-generation transceivers that will streamline deployment of 400 gigabit services while significantly reducing costs, power consumption and network complexity.

“This game-changing partnership is a vital step toward making 400G wavelengths the default deployment service for large wholesale and hyperscale customers,” said Buddy Bayer, chief network officer at Windstream. “II-VI’s high transmit power 0dBm 400G QSFP-DD DCO transceivers will enable Windstream to deploy greatly simplified network architectures, by optically connecting routers directly to access, metro, and regional transport networks without additional intermediary interfaces, eliminating an entire layer of optical equipment. This revolution in IP-over-DWDM network architecture achieves significant savings in upfront costs and ongoing expenses, affording Windstream a highly competitive operational model.”

Windstream Wholesale announced in February 2021 that it had deployed 400 gigabits per second single-wavelength transmission across its long-haul network using compact, low-power, industry-compliant pluggable modules. These modules represent the next major step in network evolution while driving high-capacity optical connections to the network edge to deliver ultra-fast speeds to more end-users than ever before.

Today’s announcement bolsters Windstream Wholesale’s position as a technology leader and pioneer leveraging a multi-layer open architecture that enables a fast and flexible solution along with interoperability through the fundamental design principles of disaggregation, promoting speed, flexibility and interoperability standards.

“Our partnership with Windstream will fast-track the development of a disruptive 400G transmission technology that builds on our award-winning integrated coherent transmitter and receiver optical subassembly, or IC-TROSA, which itself is based on our advanced and proprietary indium phosphide technology along with our industry leading opto-electronic integration platform,” said Matthias Berger, vice president, coherent technology, II-VI Incorporated. “Indium phosphide is the intrinsic enabler of the 400G transceiver’s high 0 dBm output power yet with low enough power consumption to be uniquely suitable for QSFP-DD.”

The new technology will:

  • Deliver the world’s first high-performance 0 dBm, 400G QSFP-DD coherent pluggable module—making these transceivers compatible with existing and emerging modern ROADM based photonic layers supporting multi-service, multi-layer architectures;
  • Significantly increase 400G transceiver density by drastically reducing the size and power demands of 400G pluggables relative to sled-based and even CFP2-based solutions;
  • Reduce capex and opex by allowing for direct insertion of high-performance coherent optics into current 400G enabled routers, based on the smaller form factor; and
  • Open up a direct technical path for the further evolution IP-over-DWDM with ROADM-based photonic layers, extending the application space beyond simple point-to-point DCI style networks.

Find out more about this game changing technology on Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m. ET when Art Nichols, Windstream’s vice president of architecture and technology, participates in a webinar panel “Beyond 400ZR-Expanding the Reach of Pluggable Coherent” with industry experts. Register for the webinar.

Windstream’s Intelligent Converged Optical Network provides open and disaggregated networking infrastructure, enabling wholesale and enterprise technology customers to select unique custom routes, maintain operational insights with Windstream’s Network Intelligence functions, and place their networks closer to the edge to better serve end-users.

About Windstream

Windstream Holdings is a privately held Fortune® 1000 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 to consumers and small and midsize businesses primarily in rural areas in 18 states. Additional information is available at windstream.com or windstreamwholesale.com. Follow us on Twitter at @Windstream.

From Fortune. ©2021 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Fortune and Fortune 1000 are registered trademarks of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. Fortune is not affiliated with, and does not endorse products or services of, Windstream.

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

Source: Windstream Holdings

Industry Trends and Investments: With Bill Cook.

Bill Cook, CEO of Cook Consulting Group and venture partner for Columbia Capital,  joins the program to discuss his career journey and shares his thoughts on recent long-haul investment systems that are happening in the marketplace. Discover the types of customers that are driving the need for increased bandwidth and the importance of leveraging partnerships. Bill also shares his perspective on what he likes about Windstream’s long-haul routes.  .

Akamai Technologies: Innovating at the Edge.

Steve Schecter, Director of Network Architecture at Akamai Technologies, joins the program to discuss why Akamai has been referred to as the “WD-40 of the Internet”, why Akamai decided to partner with Windstream, and how that partnership fits into Akamai’s internet ecosystem. Discover where Akamai has been focusing its expansion efforts, the next technologies that they are looking to embrace, and how Akamai is working with its partners to expand deeper into their networks.  .

AUGUST 24, 2021

  • Windstream Wholesale begins initial work to add fiber to three routes on its rapidly expanding transport network. Representatives to discuss transport solutions at International Telecoms Week

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Windstream Wholesale, a leading provider of advanced optical solutions, today announced it has begun the initial work to add fiber to three routes on its rapidly expanding transport network: New York City to Albany to Montreal; Jacksonville, Florida, to Savannah, Georgia, to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to Raleigh, North Carolina; and Tulsa to Muskogee, Oklahoma, to Little Rock, Arkansas. The company is a sponsor of International Telecoms Week, and representatives will be on hand to discuss the advantages of its rich set of diverse transport and dark fiber solutions.

The three routes announced today are part of Windstream Wholesale’s ongoing initiative to expand its fiber infrastructure and provide 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. The project will pull high-count fibers through existing conduits on some spans as well as construction of some new paths on other segments. 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.

International Telecoms Week (ITW) is Aug. 29-Sept. 1 at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center National Harbor, Maryland, near Washington DC. Attendees wishing to meet with Windstream Wholesale at the event may contact their account executive or drop by Annapolis Meeting Rooms 1 and 2.

“This is the first time in two years that ITW has been an in-person event, and we are excited to meet face to face with our customers, partners and peers,” said Joe Scattareggia, executive vice president of Windstream Wholesale. “We are rapidly expanding our transport network to meet customer demand, and we look forward to discussing how we can provide diverse, high-capacity connections to more key markets than ever before.”

Windstream’s recently announced offerings include:

  • Dark fiber and lit transport services from the Hillsboro, Oregon, ecosystem to Portland, Seattle, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and points beyond. Diversity options include multiple routes from Hillsboro to Portland to include or avoid the Pittock Block data centers.
  • Access from the Jacksonville and Boca Raton international cable landing stations to all major U.S. data centers.
  • Wave services up to 400G, with the first commercial deployment turned up in 2020.

Windstream Wholesale continues to leverage its new Intelligent Converged Optical Network (ICON) with efficiency, speed, and diversity in mind, providing a high-bandwidth infrastructure that will enable the digital transformation and innovation needed for today’s rapidly evolving businesses. Company representatives at ITW will be available to develop fast, flexible, custom solutions that can make a positive, bottom-line impact for customers.

In addition to Dark Fiber and Wavelengths, Windstream Wholesale offers Ethernet Solutions, MPLS, Colocation, and Dedicated Internet Access. 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 windstreamwholesale.com. Follow us on Twitter at @Windstream.

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

Source: Windstream Holdings

Expanding the Dots: Windstream and Telxius Partnering to Provide Ultra-High Capacity International Access.

Enrique Valdes, Vice President Sales, North Region for Telxius, joins the program to discuss Telxius’ partnership with Windstream and how that collaboration is providing customers with ultra-high connectivity and diversity options throughout the U.S, Latin America, and beyond. Enrique reveals the verticals that are drivers of growth, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for organizations to support their IT infrastructure development. He also shares his thoughts about why Windstream’s commitment to being fast and flexible makes them an ideal strategic partner for Telxius.

AUGUST 04, 2021

  • There is now a new game in town! Windstream Wholesale has connected its Intelligent Converged Optical Network (ICON) to the Hillsboro, Oregon, cable landing station.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Windstream Wholesale, a leading provider of advanced optical solutions, today announced that it has connected its Intelligent Converged Optical Network (ICON) to the Hillsboro, Oregon, cable landing station. With over a dozen subsea cables terminating to the surrounding region, Hillsboro is home to numerous thriving high-tech companies in what is known as the “Silicon Forest.”

Windstream now provides diverse routes from both the Hillsboro and Portland markets to data centers across the country.

“We are excited to bring our award-winning services to the Hillsboro cable landing station,” said Joe Scattareggia, executive vice president of Windstream Wholesale. “Now, for the first time, customers have access alternatives to diverse, high-capacity connectivity into the Hillsboro ecosystem, and they recognize the value that Windstream Wholesale offers. We have already sold fifty 100-gigabit wave connections to multiple customers, including a large hyper-scaler and an international cloud/content provider, and we’re just getting started.”

Windstream currently provides connectivity to data centers in Hillsboro operated by Digital Realty, Flexential, Stack, EdgeConneX and QTS.

“As Windstream continues to expand its reach to better serve its customers, we’re excited to partner with them as they deploy with us in Hillsboro – an important hub for connectivity and internet exchange linking the Pacific Northwest, Asia and beyond. This is the next step in our open interconnection roadmap to build the largest open fabric of fabrics in partnership with the industry,” said Tony Bishop, senior vice president of Platform, Growth and Marketing at Digital Realty. “The new fiber route provides additional network diversity for enterprises and service providers in Hillsboro and complements our plan to implement a data-centric architecture that supports the performance needed for customers to overcome data gravity challenges and scale digital business at key centers of data exchange.”

Windstream services include waves, dark fiber, Dedicated Internet Access, and managed spectrum. In addition, Windstream’s entrance into the Hillsboro market creates additional diversity by eliminating the need to route traffic through the Pittock Block telecom hub in Portland.

The expansion into Hillsboro is part of Windstream Wholesale’s ongoing initiative to provide 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

Ziply Fiber: Building and Expanding an Advanced Fiber Network.

Brian Stading, Chief Operating Officer of Ziply Fiber, joins the program to provide an overview of his company and reveals why their partnership with Windstream is crucial to Ziply’s growth. Discover how Ziply differentiates itself from other competitors in the marketplace and their plans for expansion. Brian also reveals the companies that are driving market demand in the Northwest. 

How Windstream Wholesale Differentiates Itself in the Marketplace.

John Nishimoto, Vice President Product Management and Marketing @ Windstream Wholesale, joins the program to discuss how Windstream Wholesale differentiates its products from others in the marketplace and the three core pillars that set WW apart. John shares his perspective on network expansion and the key areas of growth in the U.S. and abroad. Discover the factors that enable Windstream Wholesale to develop meaningful partnerships, innovate creative solutions, and be the fast and flexible provider for their customers. 

How Marcatel is Meeting the Ever-Growing Demand for Bandwidth.

Gustavo Mario de la Garza Flores, CEO of Marcatel, joins the program to provide an overview of his organization and discuss how Marcatel is now offering low-latency, high-capacity data center interconnect (DCI) services at speeds up to 600Gbps across long distances. Gustavo reveals what he looks for when cultivating business partnerships and the benefits of partnering with Windstream. Discover what makes Marcatel stand out in the marketplace.  

Windstream’s Partnership with EdgeConneX: Advancing Digital Transformation.

Phillip Marangella, Chief Marketing Officer at EdgeConneX, joins the program to discuss how his company differentiates itself in the marketplace and shares his thoughts about innovation in the data center space. Discover the importance of sustainability and the geographic areas where EdgeConneX is looking to expand. Phillip also discusses the future of in-person conferences in 2021 and beyond. You’ll also discover how EdgeConneX’s partnership with Windstream has allowed for increased capacity options for customers, and meaningful digital transformation.