Windstream Furthers Its Westward Expansion

Windstream’s ongoing network expansion has taken aim at the western region once again according to a release this morning.  The  network operator has deployed two new points of presence with the help of the data center provider CoreSite.

The new PoPs are at CoreSite’s Los Angeles and Denver campuses, joining other deployments in CoreSite’s NYC, northern Virginia, Chicago, and Silicon Valley campuses.  They also fit in snuggly with the dark-fiber-based expansion that Windstream has embarked on to take it to the west coast at long last.  A quick look at Windstream’s current network map suggests the fiber links between Silicon Valley Los Angeles, and El Paso are still in the works.

Windstream is also busy this year integrating its twin acquisitions of EarthLink and Broadview Networks.  Both deals add bulk to the company’s business revenues, some additional metro and regional fiber, and some wide ranging synergies.   There is plenty of room there for opportunity if they can execute on the integration and leverage their expanded fiber footprint to improve margins and increase their addressable market further.

At the same time Windstream has eliminated its dividend as part of what looks like a shift toward a different sort of operating model than its ILEC roots have historically pointed toward.  The markets haven’t been particularly friendly toward Windstream this year, with the company’s stock trading at historical lows since early August.

If you haven't already, please take our Reader Survey! Just 3 questions to help us better understand who is reading Telecom Ramblings so we can serve you better!

Categories: CLEC · Datacenter · Fiber Networks · ILECs, PTTs