-- Closely monitoring the booming market, Windstream has positioned itself for robust and sustained growth

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California, Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the retail Ethernet services market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Windstream Corp. (Nasdaq: WIN) with the 2012 U.S. Frost & Sullivan Award for Competitive Strategy Leadership. Clearly one of the nationwide leaders in business connectivity markets, Windstream has effectively leveraged competitive intelligence to grow from being a regional incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) to holding a significant market share in the Ethernet services market.

The retail Ethernet services market is growing in double digits, as enterprises choose the service for its scalability, reliability and cost-efficient bandwidth. Leading communication service providers are focusing on network expansion, service level agreements (SLAs) and classes of service on their Ethernet networks. They are also bringing more customer locations on to their Ethernet network in the metro space, and enabling intercity connectivity in the long haul space, either through partnerships or through capital investment.

"Windstream has closely monitored the market and competitive scenario, and introduced an impressive set of Ethernet service offerings to penetrate the U.S. markets much more effectively than in the past," said Frost & Sullivan's Roopa Honnachari, Program Manager, Business Communication Services. "Following a combination of organic and inorganic growth strategies the company has emerged as one of the leading providers in the retail Ethernet services market."

Windstream's acquisition of PAETEC in 2011 provided a huge competitive edge to the company, increasing Windstream's presence from 29 states to nationwide.

"The combined Windstream and PAETEC assets strengthen Windstream's brand positioning in the retail Ethernet services market," noted Honnachari. "The merger enhances Windstream's brand value in the enterprise market, and the company has an impressive set of nationwide network assets, Fortune 500 business customers, and an established brand value among business customers."

Windstream is in a better position than its competitors to serve a larger business customer base in the retail Ethernet services market. The company can now reach business customers in 48 states and the District of Columbia with approximately 115,000 fiber route miles across the country. Windstream's network availability also enables the company to compete better in the cloud services space with its combined data center and network assets.

In recognition of its effective use of competitive intelligence to impressively grow its market share and strengthen its branding, Frost & Sullivan presented Windstream with the 2012 Competitive Strategy Leadership in the retail Carrier Ethernet services market. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has leveraged competitive intelligence to successfully execute a competitive strategy that results in stronger market share, competitive brand positioning and customer satisfaction.

Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

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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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan