Windstream Holdings

{{Short description|Provider of voice and data network communications}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Windstream Holdings, Inc.

| logo = Windstream Logo.png

| foundation = {{start date and age|2006}}

| location = Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.

| key_people = Paul H. Sunu (president & CEO){{cite web |title=Windstream Newsroom - Executives |url=https://news.windstream.com/executives/ |website=Windstream |access-date=31 December 2023 |archive-date=31 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231194418/https://news.windstream.com/executives/ |url-status=live }}

| num_employees = 11,080 (2019){{Cite web|url=http://sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1282266/000128226620000022/a201910k.htm|title=Inline XBRL Viewer|access-date=2020-05-23|archive-date=2020-06-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611170312/https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1282266/000128226620000022/a201910k.htm|url-status=live}}

| industry = Telecommunications

| products =

| homepage = {{official URL}}

| revenue = US$4 billion (2023){{cite web|url=https://s22.q4cdn.com/358319107/files/doc_downloads/2024/02/4q23-win-overview.pdf|title=Windstream Factsheet - 4Q 2023 |date=February 21, 2024 |website=Windstream Holdings |access-date=May 16, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516172224/https://s22.q4cdn.com/358319107/files/doc_downloads/2024/02/4q23-win-overview.pdf |archive-date=May 16, 2024 }}

| module = {{infobox network service provider|child=yes|asn=7029}}

}}

Windstream Holdings, Inc., trading as Windstream Communications is a provider of voice and data network communications to businesses across the United States.{{cite web|title=Windstream Business Product Line Up|url=http://www.telarus.com/carrier-information/windstream-communications.html|publisher=Telecom Carrier Reports|access-date=2012-03-02|archive-date=2012-01-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116025202/http://www.telarus.com/carrier-information/windstream-communications.html|url-status=live}} Under the Kinetic brand, it offers broadband, phone and digital streaming TV services to consumers within its coverage area. It is {{when|date=March 2025}} the ninth largest residential telephone provider in the country{{Cite web |title=Research |url=https://leichtmanresearch.com/research/ |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=Leichtman Research Group, Inc. |language=en-US}} with service covering more than 8.1 million people in 21 states.{{cite news |last1=Anders |first1=David |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Need Home Internet Service? Find the Internet Providers in Your Area |url=https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/internet-providers-in-my-area/ |publisher=CNET |publication-date=April 21, 2022 |agency=Red Ventures |access-date=May 5, 2022 |url-access= |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307165031/https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/internet-providers-in-my-area/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Anders |first1=David |date=April 28, 2022 |title=Kinetic by Windstream Home Internet Review: Your Results May Vary |url=https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/windstream-internet-review/ |publisher=CNET |publication-date=April 28, 2022 |agency=Red Ventures |access-date=May 5, 2022 |url-access= |archive-date=May 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506015231/https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/windstream-internet-review/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Duane|title=Windstream Overview and Coverage|url=http://broadbandnow.com/Windstream|publisher=Broadband Now|access-date=2014-02-12|archive-date=2014-02-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222173145/http://broadbandnow.com/Windstream|url-status=live}}

History

Valor Telecom was formed in 2000 to take over GTE Southwest assets that Verizon was selling following its acquisition of GTE.{{cn|date=March 2025}} In 2006, Windstream Corporation was formed through the spinoff of Alltel's landline business and merger with Valor.{{cn|date=March 2025}}

In 2007, Windstream purchased CT Communications for $585 million adding 158,000 access lines and 29,000 broadband customers.{{cite web |url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=198367&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1007562&highlight= |title=Windstream Corporation to Acquire CT Communications for $585 Million |publisher=Phx.corporate-ir.net |access-date=2013-05-03 |archive-date=2016-01-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115221416/http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=198367&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1007562&highlight= |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://telephonyonline.com/independent/finance/windstream_ct_acquisition_052907/ |title=Windstream Grows NC Presence with CT Buy |publisher=Telephonyonline.com |access-date=2013-05-03}}

The 2009 acquisition of D&E Communications of Ephrata, Pennsylvania for $330 million added a further 165,000 access lines and 44,000 broadband customers.{{cite web |title=Windstream to acquire D&E Communications |url=https://investor.windstream.com/news/news-details/2009/Windstream-to-Acquire-DE-Communications/default.aspx#:~:text=LITTLE%20ROCK%2C%20Ark.,valued%20at%20approximately%20%24330%20million. |access-date=2013-05-03 |publisher=Windstream.com |archive-date=2021-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425184050/https://investor.windstream.com/news/news-details/2009/Windstream-to-Acquire-DE-Communications/default.aspx#:~:text=LITTLE%20ROCK%2C%20Ark.,valued%20at%20approximately%20%24330%20million. |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author=Ed Gubbins May 11th, 2009 |url=http://blog.connectedplanetonline.com/briefingroom/2009/05/11/windstream-to-acquire-de-communications/ |title=Blog.connectedplanetonline.com |publisher=Blog.connectedplanetonline.com |date=2009-05-11 |access-date=2013-05-03 |archive-date=2013-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602114505/http://blog.connectedplanetonline.com/briefingroom/2009/05/11/windstream-to-acquire-de-communications/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=27322 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010205725/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=27322 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 10, 2012 |title=Investing.businessweek.com |publisher=Investing.businessweek.com |date=2009-11-10 |access-date=2013-05-03}}

The next year's purchase of Iowa Telecom for $1.1 billion added 256,000 access lines, 95,000 broadband customers, 26,000 digital TV customers and a presence in rural Iowa and Minnesota.{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/Iowa-Telecom-to-Be-Acquired-bw-2933202419.html?x=0&.v=1|title=The transaction is expected to close in mid 2010}}

In 2010, the company acquired Nuvox, previously formed from a merger of NuVox Communications, NewSouth Communications, FDN Communications,{{cite web|url=http://connectedplanetonline.com/access/news/fdn_nuvox_merge_032207/ |title=CLECs FDN, NuVox merge |publisher=Connected Planet Online |date=March 22, 2007 |access-date=2014-04-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408222830/http://connectedplanetonline.com/access/news/fdn_nuvox_merge_032207/ |archive-date=April 8, 2014 }} Gabriel Communications and Trivergent Communications.{{cite web |url=http://news.windstream.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1189 |title=NuVox Acquisition Complete |publisher=Windstream.com |access-date=2013-05-03 |archive-date=2013-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512062904/http://news.windstream.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1189 |url-status=dead }}

On August 17, 2010, the company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Q-Comm Corporation in a transaction valued at approximately $782 million. This includes Q-Comm's wholly owned subsidiaries Kentucky Data Link, Inc. (KDL),[http://www.kdlinc.com/ KDLinc.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808104637/http://www.kdlinc.com/ |date=August 8, 2010 }} a fiber services provider in 22 states and Norlight, Inc.,{{cite web |url=http://www.norlight.com/solutions/ |title=Norlight.com |publisher=Norlight.com |access-date=2013-05-03 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} a CLEC primarily serving the Midwest. Both KDL and Norlight are based in Evansville, IN. Q-Comm subsidiaries nGenX{{Cite web|url=http://ngenx.com/about-ngenx.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808001132/http://ngenx.com/about-ngenx.php|url-status=dead|title=Ngenx.com|archive-date=August 8, 2010|website=ngenx.com}} and Cinergy Metronet{{cite web | access-date=November 12, 2023 | url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-10-1669A1.pdf | title=DA 10-1669 | date=September 1, 2010 | url-status=live | website=FCC | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131174446/https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-10-1669A1.pdf | archive-date=31 January 2022}} will be spun off as independent companies prior to the close of the deal.{{cite web |url=http://news.windstream.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1232/ |title=Windstream to acquire Kentucky Data Link, Norlight |publisher=News.windstream.com |access-date=2013-05-03 |archive-date=2013-05-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526114640/http://news.windstream.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1232/ |url-status=live }}

In November 2010, the company announced that it would acquire Hosted Solutions for $310 million. Hosted Solutions is a North Carolina–based managed hosting, cloud and colocation provider with a footprint of five datacenters in Cary, Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina as well as Boston, Massachusetts.{{cite press release |url=http://news.windstream.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1250 |title=Windstream to acquire Hosted Solutions |publisher=Windstream Communications |date=November 4, 2010 |access-date=2015-08-13 |archive-date=2015-09-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911103201/http://news.windstream.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1250 |url-status=live }}

In 2011, the company acquired PAETEC Holding Corp., a Rochester, New York telecommunications company.{{cite web|last=Edwards|first=Adam|title=Windstream Completes Acquisition of PAETEC|url=http://www.telarus.com/industry/windstream-completes-acquisition-of-paetec.html|publisher=Telarus Industry Briefs|access-date=2011-12-01|archive-date=2012-06-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614141517/http://www.telarus.com/industry/windstream-completes-acquisition-of-paetec.html|url-status=dead}}

On April 24, 2015, Windstream announced that it had completed the tax-free spinoff of "select telecommunications network assets," into Communications Sales and Leasing Inc. (CS&L). In 2016, Windsteam sold its remaining shares in CSAL.

In 2016, Windstream announced a merger with EarthLink.{{cite web|url=https://earthlink.com/about-us/news-center/merger |title=Windstream and EarthLink to Merge in $1.1 Billion Transaction |publisher=earthlink.com |date=2016-11-07 |access-date=2016-11-07}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fiercetelecom.com/telecom/windstream-acquires-earthlink-for-1-1b-creates-145k-fiber-route-mile-network|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107191942/http://www.fiercetelecom.com/telecom/windstream-acquires-earthlink-for-1-1b-creates-145k-fiber-route-mile-network|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 November 2016|title=Windstream acquires EarthLink for $1.1B, creates 145K fiber route mile network - FierceTelecom|date=7 November 2016}}

On April 13, 2017, Windstream announced that it would acquire Broadview Networks for $227 million.{{Cite news | title = Windstream to acquire Broadview Networks | date = April 13, 2017 | url = https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/04/13/960150/0/en/Windstream-to-acquire-Broadview-Networks.html | archive-date = April 13, 2017 | access-date = April 13, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170413235256/https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/04/13/960150/0/en/Windstream-to-acquire-Broadview-Networks.html | url-status = live }}

In 2019, the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York ruled that Windstream had defaulted on bond payments and its stock value fell by 60%.{{Cite news |last=Rexaline |first=Shanthi |date=2019-02-19 |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/windstream-plunge-explained-174236901.html |title=The Windstream Plunge, Explained |newspaper=Yahoo Finance |archive-date=2019-02-21 |access-date=2019-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221224405/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/windstream-plunge-explained-174236901.html |url-status=live }} It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in response to a judgment against the company for $310 million.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-25/windstream-files-bankruptcy-after-losing-aurelius-default-fight |title=Windstream Files for Bankruptcy After Aurelius Court Defeat |newspaper=Bloomberg |date=25 February 2019 |archive-date=2019-02-26 |access-date=2019-02-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226002753/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-25/windstream-files-bankruptcy-after-losing-aurelius-default-fight |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|title=Windstream Bankruptcy Filing Will Help Struggling Telecom 'Reorganize' Finances|url=https://www.crn.com/news/networking/windstream-bankruptcy-filing-will-help-struggling-telecom-reorganize-finances|access-date=2022-09-06|website=news.crn.com|date=26 February 2019|language=en-US|archive-date=2023-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206142206/https://www.crn.com/news/networking/windstream-bankruptcy-filing-will-help-struggling-telecom-reorganize-finances|url-status=live}}

In 2020, Windstream emerged from bankruptcy as a privately held company, having reduced its debt by over $4 billion.{{Cite web |date=2020-09-21 |title=Windstream Secures Future for Long-Term Growth and Technology Leadership |url=https://apnews.com/5ccabb1c137242f4894482f4c219c6b0 |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=The Associated Press |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-02-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225210637/https://apnews.com/5ccabb1c137242f4894482f4c219c6b0 |url-status=live }}

In May 2024, Windstream is in potential talks with Uniti Group to merge, scheduled to close in the second half of 2025, pending regulatory agreements.{{Cite web |title=Uniti to Merge with Windstream Creating Premier Insurgent Fiber Provider |url=https://investor.uniti.com/news-releases/news-release-details/uniti-merge-windstream-creating-premier-insurgent-fiber-provider |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318125426/https://investor.uniti.com/news-releases/news-release-details/uniti-merge-windstream-creating-premier-insurgent-fiber-provider |archive-date=March 18, 2025}}{{update needed|date=May 2025}}