Windstream issued a release yesterday touting its completion of network upgrades to support broadband service at speeds of up to 100 Mbps in 250 markets in 16 states. The company also said it will upgrade service to that level in 600 more markets in 2015.
In an email to Telecompetitor, a company spokesman said the company will use VDSL2 bonding to achieve the target speeds. A Windstream executive said in the release announcing the 100 Mbps expansion that the expansion will impact rural markets.
Windstream Broadband Upgrade
Areas that Windstream is targeting for broadband upgrades will actually exceed the 850 markets referenced in the release. A Windstream executive at a financial conference last week said that the company this year will spend up to $96 million in funding through the government-run Connect America Fund program to bring broadband to rural areas that cannot get broadband today. The program requires funding recipients to deliver speeds of at least 10 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream, and the Windstream spokesman confirmed that those areas are not included in the 850-market tally of higher-speed markets. He also noted that the CAF deployments “may use bonding, and we continue to consider other technologies such as vectoring and FTTP.”
In yesterday’s press release, another Windstream executive noted that the service will be offered to residential and business customers. “We understand that whether customers are running a home or a small business, high-speed Internet is absolutely critical,” said Windstream Senior Vice President of Small Business and Consumer Sarah Day in the release. “Our investment in new technologies and network upgrades is an investment in the people and businesses we serve.”
As for pricing, the Windstream spokesman said 100 Mbps service starts at $89.99, and bundles start at $94.99. New customers are also eligible for a $20 promotional discount for the first 12 months.
