Windstream moves into new QTS Chicago ‘Mega Data Center’

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., June 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Windstream (NYSE:WIN, news, filings), a leading provider of advanced network communications, today announced that it is one of the first carriers to establish a presence in QTS Realty Trust’s (NYSE:QTS) new downtown Chicago mega data center set to open July 1. Windstream already has presence in two other QTS data centers – one at 1033 Jefferson St. in Atlanta, Ga., and another at 6000 Technology Blvd. in Sandston, Va. With this latest partnership, as an anchor service provider in the QTS Chicago facility, Windstream is continuing its aggressive network expansion strategy – providing secure, high-performance connectivity solutions to wholesale and enterprise customers.

“Windstream’s partnership with QTS and the opening of its Chicago facility are both significant factors in easing the network traffic capacity constraints of downtown Chicago,” said Jeff Brown, director of product management and marketing for Windstream’s wholesale business unit. “QTS Chicago is an ideal location, poised to deliver new levels of connectivity and performance to both Windstream and QTS customers, especially critical as demands for bandwidth continue to increase.”

QTS operates an interconnected global platform delivering a hybrid suite of cloud computing and infrastructure services ranging from data center outsourcing, colocation, managed hosting and private cloud, managed storage, server virtualization, backup, replication, and managed security services. It is nearing completion of a highly secure 317,000-square-foot mega data center in Chicago’s downtown corridor scheduled to open July 1 with a grand opening event July 15.

As QTS Chicago customers come on board, they will be able to leverage Windstream’s fiber network – the sixth largest network in the nation, spanning more than 125,000 miles – to access Windstream’s broad solutions portfolio, including:

• Optical Waves, bandwidths ranging from 1G to 100G
• MEF 2.0 Certified Carrier Ethernet, bandwidths ranging from 3M to 1G
• MPLS service, bandwidths ranging from 1.5M to 10G
• Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), bandwidths ranging from 1.5M to 10G

Other benefits of the Windstream-QTS strategic alliance include:

• Improved network proximity to downtown Chicago and speeds ranging from 100 Mbps up to 100 Gbps to connect to locations along Windstream’s fiber network.
• High speed access for QTS’ colocation, managed hosting, and cloud solutions deployed in a hybrid model blending traditional colocation, dedicated (private), and multi-tenant.
• A Tier 3-compliant Midwestern hub geographically advantageous for back up and business continuity solutions.
• Windstream connectivity to and from 9 million square feet of data center, including 10 major third-party data centers and data center campuses.

“We are pleased to add Windstream’s 100G network to our growing roster of Tier 1 carriers delivering robust connectivity as well as direct access to long-haul fiber networks for enterprises in the Central Business District and surrounding areas with low latency,” said Dan Bennewitz, chief operations officer, sales and marketing for QTS. “We expect this group to continue to grow as others are expressing interest in establishing a presence based on QTS’ plans for additional enterprise, government and service provider customers coming online.”

Companies interested in discussing the connectivity benefits of colocating in QTS are encouraged to schedule a meeting with Bill Winsininski. Contact him at Bill.Winsininski@Qtsdatacenters.com.

About QTS 
QTS Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:QTS) is a leading provider of secure, compliant custom data center solutions, colocation, hybrid cloud and fully managed services. QTS features the nation’s only fully integrated technology service platform providing flexible, scalable enterprise solutions for the federal government and financial, healthcare and high tech industries. QTS’ Critical Facilities Management (CFM) provides increased efficiency and greater performance for third-party data center owners and operators. QTS owns, operates or manages more than 5 million square feet of data center space and supports more than 1,000 customers in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information, please visit www.qtsdatacenters.com, call toll-free 877.QTS.DATA or follow us on Twitter @DataCenters_QTS.

About Windstream
Windstream Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:WIN), a FORTUNE 500 company, is a leading provider of advanced network communications and technology solutions for consumers, small businesses, enterprise organizations and carrier partners across the U.S. Windstream offers bundled services, including broadband, security solutions, voice and digital TV to consumers. The company also provides data, cloud solutions, unified communications and managed services to business and enterprise clients. The company supplies core transport solutions on a local and long-haul fiber-optic network spanning approximately 125,000 miles. Additional information is available at windstream.com. Please visit our newsroom at news.windstream.com or follow us on Twitter at @Windstream.