Windstream announces $20 million fiber network expansion

Windstream Corp. (NASDAQ: WIN) plans to invest approximately $20 million in 2010 to expand its fiber network to offer customers advanced technology, improved reliability and faster data speeds.

Customers across Windstream’s 16-state territory will benefit from the improved network. The expanded fiber network will deliver more bandwidth to wireless carriers and Ethernet and next-generation technologies to business customers.

"Wireless carrier needs for more bandwidth are growing dramatically due to the explosion of data and multi-media devices,” said James Taylor, Windstream director of wholesale business solutions. "Our fiber-to-the-cell site program will allow for faster data speeds and enhance overall reliability.”

Fiber offers virtually unlimited capacity made possible by adding additional wavelengths of light to feed more data onto fibers, and fiber networking is more reliable than copper.

The network project expands the availability of fiber-optic lines to cellular tower sites requiring higher bandwidths. This fiber expansion will enable wireless carriers to offer next-generation services and meet the increased data needs of their customers. The fiber will allow for 3G and 4G technology and will meet an ever-increasing demand for bandwidth that is difficult to achieve when using traditional copper-based lines.

"By expanding and fortifying our network capabilities we can afford our customers a reliable network with faster speeds,” said Bill Bellando, Windstream vice president of network services.

Wireless carriers interested in deploying fiber to cell sites should contact their Windstream business sales account manager.

For more information about Windstream’s advanced technology and data services, visit www.windstream.com/business.

About Windstream

Windstream Corporation (NASDAQ: WIN) is an S&P 500 company that provides digital phone, high-speed Internet and high-definition video and entertainment services to residential and business customers in 16 states. The company also offers a wide range of IP-based voice and data services and advanced phone systems and equipment to businesses and government agencies. The company has approximately 3 million access lines and about $3.1 billion in annual revenues. Windstream is ranked 4th in the 2009 BusinessWeek 50 ranking of the best performing U.S. companies. For more information about Windstream, visit www.windstream.com.