December 13, 2023

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Windstream Wholesale (Windstream), an optical technology leader in fast and flexible advanced solutions, and Nokia Corporation (Nokia), a B2B technology innovation leader, today announced the successful trial of 800 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) service transmission over a single 800 Gb/s wavelength on an over 1,386-kilometer link across Windstream’s live network.

Utilizing Nokia FP5 IP service routing platforms with 800GE interfaces and Nokia optical transport platforms with 6th generation super coherent Photonic Service Engine (PSE-6s) technology, this demonstration is the first of its kind and validates the readiness of Windstream Wholesale’s network to provision 800GE business and wholesale services to support soaring customer traffic volumes.

The trial was conducted over Windstream’s Intelligent Converged Optical Network (ICON) backbone connecting Atlanta, Georgia, to Miami, Florida, and leveraging one of Windstream Wholesale’s latest East Coast ICON routes into Florida. The Nokia 7750 Service Router with an 800GE interface was connected to Nokia’s production-ready 1830 PSI-M optical transport platform with PSE-6s linecards operating at 800Gb/s per wavelength over a third-party WDM line system. The trial ran across 16 spans and seven ROADM nodes in the Windstream ICON network and demonstrated the first turn-up of error-free performance at 800G over a long-haul link with 800GE service bandwidth.

This combination of Nokia 800GE routing, shipping since 2022, and 800Gb/s long-haul optical transport enables Windstream Wholesale to efficiently scale network capacity over its backbone and provide wholesale Wave service connectivity at both 400GE and 800GE speeds. In addition, Windstream can utilize fewer client and transponder ports while reducing network power per bit for both IP and optical network layers. A significant industry milestone, this transport and technology breakthrough will undoubtedly pave the way for more advanced and efficient communication networks in the future.

“We are thrilled with the success of this trial and its confirmation of our continued optical technology leadership and readiness to deliver ever-greater bandwidth and service choice across our nationwide footprint,” said John Nishimoto, Windstream Wholesale senior vice president of product marketing and strategy. “We pride ourselves on being ‘fast and flexible,’ and with the combination of Nokia 800GE routing and PSE-6s technology we will continue to lead the marketplace in innovation and excellence.”

James Watt, head of the Optical Networks Division at Nokia, said, “We are delighted with the success of this trial, and we look forward to continuing to support Windstream in their network upgrade strategy. Nokia’s IP and optical portfolios are specifically designed to move more bits using less energy, providing the scale, performance, and cost-efficiency to meet the world’s unrelenting demand for data.”

“Windstream Wholesale is fully committed to being at the forefront of connectivity and cutting-edge technology,” said Joe Scattareggia, Windstream Wholesale president. “We maintained this commitment as the first to introduce 400G to the market and are poised to further advance these technologies aiming to deliver 800G wave services from metro to ultra-long-haul distances to customers in 2024.”

Windstream’s Intelligent Converged Optical Network (ICON) 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. To view the Windstream Wholesale network, visit https://www.windstreamwholesale.com/network-expansion/.

About Windstream

Windstream Holdings is a privately held communications and software company. Windstream Wholesale is an innovative optical technology leader that creates deep partnerships with carriers, content and media providers, federal government agencies and Fortune 100 companies to deliver fast and flexible, customized wave and transport solutions. Additional information is available at windstream.com or windstreamwholesale.com. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, at @Windstream.

Category: Wholesale

About Nokia

At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

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Windstream Contact:
Scott Morris, 501-748-5342
[email protected]

Media inquiries
Nokia Communications, Corporate
Email: [email protected]

Source: Windstream Holdings

December 5, 2023

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Windstream Wholesale, an optical technology leader in fast and flexible advanced solutions, today announced the completion of a new long-haul dark fiber route. This route connects Little Rock, Arkansas, to Memphis, Tennessee, and is now open for business. The new Little Rock to Memphis route is an addition to the company’s initial segment dubbed the “T-Rock Express,” released to customers in August 2022, which connects Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Little Rock.

Windstream joined forces with ADB Companies to help complete the route. ADB is a valued partner renowned for its expertise in constructing networks, connections, and establishing partnerships throughout the telecommunications sector across the country.

In May 2022, Windstream Wholesale announced the beginning of the route expansion from Little Rock to Memphis. The original Tulsa-to-Little Rock segment extends 310 miles, and the new extension from Little Rock to Memphis provides an additional 145 fiber miles, resulting in a total of 455 fiber miles of 432-count, high-capacity fiber. Additionally, lit services of Spectrum and 400G waves are also available for immediate turn-up along the entire route, offering customers further flexibility and diversity. Completion of the route comes as a testament to Windstream Wholesale’s commitment to expanding its network to meet the demands of heavy bandwidth and content provider customers.

Windstream Wholesale has also deployed an integrated OTDR system across most of its nationwide network, which enables real-time route monitoring and immediate notification and location of any fiber cut, dramatically speeding the fiber and service restoral process. Providing unmatched visibility into a customer’s network health and performance, this advanced system will be available to customers by the middle of the first quarter of 2024, with installation being completed this month.

“We’re excited to announce that T-Rock is now open for business,” said Joe Scattareggia, president of Windstream Wholesale. “The construction and expansion of this route represents a concerted effort from our team and partners to not only meet but exceed the expectations of our customers. Thanks to our strong partnership, we’ve successfully delivered on our commitments and remain steadfast in our dedication to offering customers high capacity, diversity, and redundancy to propel their networks and businesses forward.”

“ADB Companies is honored to collaborate with Windstream Wholesale on the expedited construction of its new dark fiber route connecting Little Rock to Memphis,” said Stacey Thompson, chief operating officer, ADB. “Our teams worked diligently to complete this project ahead of schedule, enabling Windstream Wholesale to swiftly meet their customers’ needs for high-capacity, low-latency fiber connectivity. We’re thrilled that our construction expertise and commitment to speed contributed to the success of this ‘fast and flexible’ network expansion. Windstream Wholesale is a valued partner, and we eagerly anticipate working together on future projects as they continue building out best-in-class fiber infrastructure across their footprint.”

“The foundation of successful project execution lies in cultivating strong relationships with our partners,” said Karl-Arne Hegewald, senior vice president of network Infrastructure at Windstream. “Our collaboration with ADB empowers us to navigate the complexities of constructing long-haul routes, ensuring that we deliver a top-notch product to our customers precisely as promised.”

The inaugural installment of high-count dark fiber along the new route extension has been successfully delivered to a significant hyperscale customer. With the entire route length now ready for customer delivery, this achievement stands as a noteworthy milestone in Windstream’s dedication to network expansion, fostering partnerships, and delivering cutting-edge technology solutions for its customers.

Windstream’s Intelligent Converged Optical Network (ICON) 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.

To view the Windstream Wholesale network, visit https://www.windstreamwholesale.com/network-expansion/.

About Windstream

Windstream Holdings is a privately held communications and software company. Windstream Wholesale is an innovative optical technology leader that creates deep partnerships with carriers, content and media providers, federal government agencies and Fortune 100 companies to deliver fast and flexible, customized wave and transport solutions. Additional information is available at windstream.com or windstreamwholesale.com. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, at @Windstream.

Category: Wholesale

Windstream Contact:
Scott Morris, 501-748-5342
[email protected]

Source: Windstream Holdings

December 4, 2023

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Windstream Chairman and CEO Paul Sunu today announced new leaders for Windstream’s Wholesale and Enterprise business units. Joe Scattareggia has been named president of Windstream Wholesale, and Mike Flannery has been named president of Windstream Enterprise.

Scattareggia and Flannery previously served as the chief revenue officers of their respective business units.

They succeed former Windstream Wholesale and Enterprise President Buddy Bayer who is departing at the end of the year to pursue another opportunity.

“Joe Scattareggia and Mike Flannery are highly skilled telecommunications executives with a deep understanding of our network, products and people, and they are both keenly focused on meeting our customers’ needs in a rapidly changing marketplace,” Sunu said. “I have had the opportunity to work with both Joe and Mike and am looking forward to collaborating alongside them even more closely in the future.”

Sunu wished Bayer well. “Buddy Bayer is a dynamic leader and will bring great value to his new role,” Sunu said.

Scattareggia, who joined Windstream in 2013, and Flannery, who joined in 2017, will be responsible for all sales, marketing, service delivery and customer care for their respective business units. Scattareggia will also have responsibility for field operations. Flannery will continue to oversee the Windstream Enterprise Channel Program.

“I am truly honored for the opportunity to lead this great team,” Scattareggia said. “Working alongside Buddy for nine years has been a privilege, and we had a lot of fun fostering a strong friendship. I look forward to collaborating closely with Paul and our senior leadership team to further propel the growth of Windstream Wholesale. Our commitment to our customers and our team, recognized as ‘best in the business’ in the industry remains unwavering as we continue to execute our strategic goals and nurture the vibrant spirit of our Fast and Flexible culture.”

“Accepting the role to lead the Enterprise organization is an exciting opportunity for me and aligns well with my background in guiding customer-centric organizations through transformations over my career,” Flannery said. “I am confident in the organization’s ability to adapt and drive the necessary changes required within our business and industry. We will move forward focused upon utilizing a customer-centric mindset, led by a people-first approach that guides and enables us to deliver on our commitments to customers, partners, employees and stakeholders of Windstream Enterprise.”

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 to consumers and small and midsize businesses primarily in rural areas in 18 states. Additional information is available at www.windstream.com. Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Windstream.

Category: Corporate

Windstream Contact:
Scott Morris, 501-748-5342
[email protected]

Source: Windstream Holdings

Joe Scattareggia, president of Windstream Wholesale (Photo: Business Wire)

Joe Scattareggia, president of Windstream Wholesale (Photo: Business Wire)

November 6, 2023

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. & CHANDLER, Ariz.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Windstream Wholesale, an optical technology leader delivering fast and flexible advanced solutions, and VIAVI Solutions (NASDAQ: VIAV), a global provider of network testing, monitoring, and assurance solutions, today announced the integration of VIAVI Remote Fiber Test System (RFTS) into Windstream’s Intelligent Converged Optical Network (ICON).  This tool further advances network intelligence functionality for Dark Fiber and Wavelength monitoring. Customers will be able to leverage this tool in the first quarter of 2024.  

VIAVI RFTS includes FTH-9000 adaptive fiber test heads and ONMSi  software. This centralized system combines strategically placed test heads in key network locations to constantly sweep the fiber with an OTDR test signal to identify and locate fiber faults and degradations. Incorporating this solution directly into Windstream’s Dark Fiber and ICON network enables early detection of fiber breaks, elimination of reactive truck rolls, faster time to repair, and increased transparency of and visibility into a customer’s network health and performance. The VIAVI outage and GIS data will be integrated from the ONMSi platform into Windstream Wholesale’s operational and portal software applications.

Early Detection of Fiber Breaks for Dark Fiber and Wavelengths

  • Fiber routes are continuously and proactively monitored to detect cable damage (intrusions, bends, kinks, etc.).
  • Immediate notification of cuts, outages, and degraded service is sent to Windstream Wholesale network operations on behalf of the customer.
  • Allows Windstream to expand its OTDR capabilities on network routes where in-line OTDR is not available.

Faster Time to Repair

  • Automation of fiber outage identification reduces coordination times needed with manual OTDR testing processes.
  • Pinpointed outage data includes GPS location and impacted circuit information immediately identifying where the outage location is.
  • Reduced Time to Repair (TTR) due to immediate notifications sent to Windstream Wholesale.

Visibility Expanded for Dark Fiber Customers in the iconnect Portal

  • Dark Fiber customers gain real-time outage location information on a map like Wavelength services.
  • Customers gain map views of network health in Windstream Wholesale’s iconnect portal.
  • Available on Windstream Wholesale’s new high-count long-haul dark fiber builds including Tulsa to Little Rock to Memphis (T-Rock Express), Raleigh to Myrtle Beach to Jacksonville (Beach Route), and Montreal to Albany to New York City (CanAm2).

“VIAVI is proud to be a long-term partner to Windstream Wholesale, whose deployment and maintenance teams have relied on our test and assurance solutions to deliver high-quality fiber networks to their customers,” said Luiz Cesar Oliveira, vice president, Americas, VIAVI. “Service providers are increasing efficiency through enhanced visibility and intelligence as well as simplified troubleshooting processes. VIAVI RFTS is delivering capabilities trusted by carriers globally to the Windstream ICON network.”

“With fiber networks serving as the foundational architecture of our modern world, our society is put on hold when fiber cables break. We are pleased with the partnership that we have with VIAVI and how it enables us to integrate a proactive functionality of OTDR technology into our network – significantly reducing any network impact on our customers,” said Joe Scattareggia, Windstream Wholesale chief revenue officer. “We’re able to detect and respond to outages early and in real-time, communicate to our customers concurrently, and repair those outages faster than anyone else.”

Windstream’s ICON 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.

To view the Windstream Wholesale network, visit https://www.windstreamwholesale.com/network-expansion/.

About Windstream

Windstream Holdings is a privately held communications and software company. Windstream Wholesale is an innovative optical technology leader that creates deep partnerships with carriers, content and media providers, federal government agencies and Fortune 100 companies to deliver fast and flexible, customized wave and transport solutions. Additional information is available at windstream.com or windstreamwholesale.com. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, at @Windstream.

Category: Wholesale

Windstream Wholesale Contact:
Scott Morris, 501-748-5342
[email protected]

About VIAVI

VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications. In 2023, we celebrate over 100 years of Network Transformation and Optical Innovation. Learn more about VIAVI at www.viavisolutions.com. Follow us on VIAVI Perspectives, LinkedIn and YouTube.

VIAVI Solutions Contact:
Amit Malhotra, 202-341-8624
[email protected]

July 11, 2023

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Windstream, a privately held communications and software company, and Sterlite Technologies Ltd., STL 
(NSE: STLTECH), a leading fiber optic cable manufacturer, today announced an expansion of their partnership to support Windstream’s large-scale fiber construction projects.

The expanded partnership will support consumer-focused, fiber-to-the-home builds by Kinetic by Windstream as well as high-bandwidth optical long-haul fiber routes developed for content and cloud providers by Windstream Wholesale.

With Windstream as the anchor customer, STL opened its first U.S. cable manufacturing plant in Kershaw County, South Carolina, in 2022. The plant is located near the southeastern heart of Windstream’s footprint, reducing transportation costs and delivery times while creating jobs for Americans.

Kinetic by Windstream is investing $2 billion in private capital to expand Gigabit internet service to homes and businesses across 18 states.

“We are committed to bringing the fastest, most reliable internet service to communities across our 18-state footprint using the best construction materials manufactured here in America by STL,” said Jeff Small, president of Kinetic by Windstream. “Additionally, STL and Windstream are extremely well-positioned to take advantage of future market opportunities such as the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program that is expected to extend fiber internet service to thousands of rural homes in and around our service area.”

The BEAD Program and other federal infrastructure projects include domestic manufacturing requirements for certain equipment, including fiber optic cable. STL’s state-of-the-art, Industry 4.0-certified manufacturing facility in South Carolina produces “Made in America” fiber for Windstream and other service providers. STL’s on-shore production capacity and its global supply chain management capabilities support its ability to offer shorter-than-average market lead times for its production materials. STL was able to make the investment to establish on-shore production capacity in part due to its partnership with Kinetic and its role in helping Kinetic fulfill its $2 billion fiber-to-the-home expansion program.

“For Windstream Wholesale, it is a top priority to deliver the best reach and experience to our customers, including the world’s largest hyperscalers,” said Buddy Bayer, president of Windstream Wholesale. “And we want to do it fast. Windstream sets the bar high in terms of technology and engineering and we are confident that STL, with nearly 30 years of optical expertise, will ably support our connectivity ambitions.”

Windstream Wholesale, an optical technology leader of fast and flexible advanced solutions, has multiple fiber construction projects underway including an extension of its Tulsa-to-Little Rock, Arkansas, route to Memphis, a new build from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Jacksonville, Florida, and a new build from New York City to Montreal.

STL began providing optical networking solutions to Windstream in February 2021. It has expanded its offering set to provide advanced optical designs like high-fiber count Intelligently Bonded Ribbon and Flat Ribbon, in addition to its loose tube optical cables. These products are designed to ensure faster rollout and high scalability, aligning with Windstream Wholesale’s requirements for metro, and long-haul optical networks that currently provide up to 400G wave services and will support 800G transmission in the future.

STL also provides Kinetic with various sizes of high-quality loose tube fiber optic cable that the company is deploying across its mostly rural footprint. STL’s Intelligently Bonded Ribbon fiber cable, which is smaller in diameter and can be spliced more efficiently than standard fiber, will be key to Kinetic’s future network buildouts.

“We think of our customers first,” said Paul Atkinson, CEO of STL’s Optical Networking business. “Our goal is to partner and co-develop advanced and sustainable Optical solutions with our key customers so that they can contribute to America’s broadband ambitions. I am very excited to work ever more closely with Windstream and collectively create value for communities and businesses in the US.”

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 to consumers and small and midsize businesses primarily in rural areas in 18 states. Additional information is available at windstream.com. Follow us on Twitter at @Windstream.

About STL

STL is a leading global optical and digital solutions company providing advanced offerings to build 5G, Rural, FTTx, Enterprise and Data Center networks. The company, driven by its purpose of ‘Transforming Billions of Lives by Connecting the World’, designs and manufactures in 4 continents with customers in more than 100 countries. Telecom operators, cloud companies, citizen networks, and large enterprises recognize and rely on STL for advanced capabilities in Optical Connectivity, Global Services, and Digital and Technology solutions to build ubiquitous and future-ready digital networks. STL’s business goals are driven by customer-centricity, R&D and sustainability. Championing sustainable manufacturing, the company has committed to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2030. With top talent from 30+ nationalities, STL has earned numerous ‘Great Place to Work’ awards and been voted as the ‘Best Organisation for Women’ 
Read more, Contact us,stl.tech | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube

Category: Corporate

Windstream Contact:
Scott Morris, 501-748-5342
[email protected]

Media Relations
Khushboo Chawla
Phone: +919711619114
[email protected]

Agency Contact
Chevaan Seresinhe
Phone +44 797 1967 644
[email protected]

Investor Relations
Pankaj Dhawan
Phone: +918130788887
[email protected]

Source: Windstream Holdings

June 28, 2023

The Fast and Flexible provider leads the way again with multi-400G wave delivery in 16 business days

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Windstream Wholesale, an optical technology leader in fast and flexible advanced solutions, has achieved a remarkable feat in the industry, setting a new standard for speed and efficiency in delivering multiple 400G wave orders to a large cable company. The team successfully completed service deployment to the customer in just 16 business days.

This outstanding accomplishment can be attributed to Windstream Wholesale’s strategic “one team” approach, emphasizing seamless collaboration and alignment between engineering, service delivery, product, and sales teams. The Wholesale group’s unified structure fostered open communication and facilitated close teamwork throughout the entire process, from initial service conceptualization to post-delivery support. Leveraging their readily available inventory of 400G equipment and the cutting-edge capabilities of Windstream’s Intelligent Converged Optical Network (ICON) line system, the company enabled swift provisioning and activation, with a delivery interval far surpassing the customer’s expectations.

“We’re not only the tech leader with our next generation 400G service but we’re also the leader in flexible partnerships,” said Monther Hammoudeh, Windstream’s senior vice president of Transport Engineering and Operations. “I’m proud of our experienced team and their relentless pursuit to provide first-in-class service and customer satisfaction. Turning up 2.4 TB of capacity in 16 days requires a lot of collaborative teamwork.”

The customer, a prominent cable company in the United States, requires the fastest products and services available from a trusted industry expert.

Joe Scattareggia, Windstream Wholesale’s chief revenue officer, emphasized the significance of the achievement. “What’s truly exciting and humbling to me is that we pioneered the 400G deployment in 2020 and now we’re introducing the industry’s newest Regional Rapid Fiber 400G in 2023, and our team is also the fastest,” Scattareggia said. “Turning up multiple 400G waves in the same month that the customer ordered the service is unheard of in the market. Others are just now moving to build a network that supports this technology while we are on the next generation and turning it up at record speeds.”

Windstream’s Intelligent Converged Optical Network (ICON) 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 communications and software company. Windstream Wholesale is an innovative optical technology leader that creates deep partnerships with carriers, content and media providers, federal government agencies, and Fortune 100 companies to deliver fast and flexible, customized wave and transport solutions. Additional information is available at windstream.com or windstreamwholesale.com. Follow us on Twitter at @Windstream.

Category: Wholesale

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

Source: Windstream Holdings