Windstream Announces Carrier Switched Ethernet Expansion

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Oct. 8, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To meet the increasing demand from carriers for higher bandwidth and Ethernet, Windstream Corp. (Nasdaq:WIN) announced today at COMPTEL PLUS the expansion of its Carrier Switched Ethernet service. This service will now provide carriers with access to Windstream-provided Ethernet service through a network-to-network interconnect.

Windstream is expanding its Carrier Switched Ethernet product to more than 300 CLEC markets throughout the country. Previously offered only in Windstream's ILEC footprint, the Carrier Switched Ethernet expansion will allow carriers access to additional Windstream CLEC markets through regional Network-to-Network Interfaces (NNIs). 

Access to Windstream's Carrier Switched Ethernet solution will make it more cost-effective for carrier customers to provide multi-location data solutions to their end users.

Carrier Switched Ethernet provides wholesale carriers access to exchanges across  Windstream's nationwide network.  With the solution, interconnect ports of 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, and 10 Gbps are available, and end user loops from 3 Mbps to 1 Gbps are supported. The CLEC-based offering will include Ethernet over Copper based on network availability and Ethernet over TDM or fiber.

"By expanding our Carrier Switched Ethernet solution, our carrier customers will now have the extended ability to reach businesses with Ethernet access," said Don Perkins, Windstream vice president of Business Marketing. "Ethernet provides our carrier customers a scalable, secure and efficient way to deploy robust WAN solutions to end users on a large scale."

Windstream's Carrier Switched Ethernet product provides a breadth of options for carriers. Whether bandwidth speeds are being used for the transfer of large data files, such as video and high-resolution images, or for basic business services, such as email and documents, the Carrier Switched Ethernet service can be customized to meet necessary requirements.

About Windstream

Windstream Corp. (Nasdaq:WIN) is a leading provider of advanced network communications, including cloud computing and managed services, to businesses nationwide. The company also offers broadband, phone and digital TV services to consumers primarily in rural areas. Windstream has more than $6 billion in annual revenues and is listed on the S&P 500 index. For more information, visit www.windstream.com.

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CONTACT: Windstream Contact:
         Alice Hartnett
         704-887-0327
         [e-mail]