Windstream to expand fixed wireless technology in 40 markets using CBNL equipment and Straight Path spectrum

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Oct. 11, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Windstream (NYSE:WIN, news, filings), a leading provider of advanced network communications, today announced a strategic partnership with Cambridge Broadband Networks (CBNL) and Straight Path Communications Inc. that will significantly expand the last-mile fixed wireless options for Windstream customers in 40 markets across the country. CBNL is the market leader in millimeter wave licensed point-to-multipoint (PMP), and Straight Path is the largest licensed millimeter wave spectrum holder in the U.S.

Windstream will deploy CBNL’s VectaStar^® 39GHz licensed PMP radios and utilize Straight Path’s 39GHz spectrum to rapidly expand its last-mile customer connectivity options in key markets. The expansion is part of Windstream’s previously disclosed capital investment plan, and the partnership with CBNL and Straight Path will significantly scale coverage of Windstream’s fixed wireless technology and allow customers to truly diversify their networks by integrating fiber, copper and fixed wireless access technologies.

The licensed spectrum and radios being used to deliver the service ensure that it is more robust and secure than other wireless technologies and offers end-customers reliable service level agreements. This new technology will allow Windstream customers to access the company’s advanced data, voice, network and cloud services at speeds of up to 275 Mbps full duplex, and it also supplements Windstream’s other fixed wireless access technologies that range in speed from 1 Mbps to 1 Gbps.

Windstream will enhance seven of its markets where it currently offers fixed wireless access technology – Chicago, New York City, Boston, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Little Rock – by leveraging equipment from CBNL and spectrum from Straight Path. Windstream will also deploy CBNL equipment in 33 new markets where it will begin offering its fixed wireless technology. Those markets include Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Richmond, San Antonio, Seattle and St. Louis. Under the agreement, Windstream has the option of eventually expanding fixed wireless to an additional 32 markets where Straight Path owns 39GHz spectrum.

The partnership among Windstream, CBNL and Straight Path is the latest example of Windstream investing in its advanced metro fiber and fixed wireless networks, and it also represents the first nationwide deployment of CBNL’s new 39GHz solution, which has the ability to scale hub site capacities to 13.2 Gbps. This announcement closely follows Windstream’s successful VectaStar network in New York City, which utilized Straight Path’s 28GHz spectrum.

Quotes from Executives

Joe Harding, Enterprise Chief Marketing Officer at Windstream:

“As Windstream’s network solutions become increasingly mission critical for our business customers, we are committed to leveraging the latest technology to continuously improve the scalability, reliability and security of our services so that we can craft even better solutions to meet our customers’ evolving business needs. It’s clear that millimeter wave offers immense potential and we’re delighted to partner with industry leaders CBNL and Straight Path to maximize the benefits for our network and for our customers. As one of the most proven and efficient millimeter wave technologies, VectaStar was the simple choice for Windstream. We look forward to rolling out the first deployments later this year and improving access to faster broadband speeds for businesses across the country.”

Lionel Chmilewsky, Chief Executive Officer at CBNL:

“CBNL is delighted to sign our first nationwide agreement alongside Straight Path and play such a key role in Windstream’s expansion strategy. Delivering 13.2 Gbps per hub site and total cost of ownership savings of up to 50 percent compared to point-to-point, VectaStar provides Windstream with a ground-breaking business case. This is further supported by the reuse of spectrum where VectaStar’s dynamic µ-TDMA can offer up to 4.4 Gbps of provisioned capacity per sector from just two 50MHz channel pairs. With VectaStar already deployed across 46 countries and nine states, this agreement marks the latest collaboration from CBNL and Straight Path to provide unparalleled nationwide access to 39GHz and deliver an evolutionary path to gigabit capacities and 5G fixed wireless.”

Davidi Jonas, Chief Executive Officer of Straight Path:

“Straight Path is excited to sign such a landmark deal with Windstream and CBNL, which will greatly extend Windstream’s ability to increase capacity and provide licensed bandwidth to 1000s of US businesses. With vast amounts of our spectrum remaining across major cities (including the most densely populated areas), we look forward to supporting the continued growth of Windstream and other industry leaders, as well as multiple use cases for the benefit of businesses and consumers. Our partnership with CBNL to invest in bringing a joint 39GHz product/spectrum solution to the market has enabled us to unlock the vast potential of millimeter wave and support Windstream in expanding their world-class services.”

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 www.windstream.com. Please visit our newsroom at news.windstream.com or follow us on Twitter at @Windstream.

About Cambridge Broadband Networks Ltd (CBNL)
Established in 2000, CBNL is the market-leader in licensed point-to-multipoint (PMP) microwave and millimeter wave solutions. CBNL’s carrier-grade VectaStar^® platform is deployed by over 100 communications providers for a range of applications, including backhaul (macro and small cell), enterprise access, smart city connectivity, broadcast and residential broadband. VectaStar is commercially deployed across 46 countries and is an established network technology with the world’s leading service providers, including seven of the top ten largest mobile operator groups. VectaStar offers up to 1.2Gbps per sector and up to 14.4Gbps per hub site. Offering greater spectral efficiency, faster deployment times and total cost of ownership savings of up to 50 percent compared to alternative carrier grade technologies, VectaStar offers a leading business case to scale network capacities and meet the industry’s growing demand for data. For more information visit www.cbnl.com.

About Straight Path Communications Inc.
Straight Path (NYSE MKT:STRP) holds, leases, and markets its extensive holdings of 39GHz and 28GHz wireless spectrum licenses through its Straight Path Spectrum subsidiary. Straight Path is developing next generation wireless technology through its Straight Path Ventures subsidiary. Straight Path holds, licenses, and conducts other business related to certain patents through its Straight Path IP Group subsidiary.  Additional information is available on Straight Path’s websites: Corporate: www.straightpath.com Spectrum: www.straightpath39.com.