Windstream to Acquire PAETEC
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, August 1, 2011 · 
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Windstream Corp. announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire PAETEC Holding Corp. in a transaction valued at approximately $2.3 billion.
To pay for the acquisition, Windstream expects to issue approximately 73 million shares of stock valued at approximately $891 million, based on the company’s closing stock price on July 29, 2011. Windstream also will assume or refinance PAETEC’s net debt of approximately $1.4 billion at the time of closing. PAETEC stockholders are expected to own approximately 13% of the combined company upon closing of the transaction.
With this acquisition, Windstream will gain access to seven new data centers and have improved capability to serve multi-location business customers in 46 states and the District of Columbia. The company will maintain approximately 100,000 fiber route miles across the country–36,700 miles courtesy of PAETEC’s holdings. Read more
Windstream Restructures
Posted by Steve Fravel on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 · ·
Windstream Inc. has released planning information for the migration of former Iowa Telecom into the corporate billing and network systems in Little Rock.
The move, following the $1.2 billion acquisition of Iowa Telecom that was completed in June, will result in the layoff of 220 operations, information technology and finance personnel. The majority of the workers (146) currently located in Newton, Iowa, will be eliminated by year-end, with the balance terminating in 2011.
Windstream to Acquire Q-Comm, Double Fiber Reach
Posted by Jesse Ward on Thursday, August 19, 2010 · ·
Windstream has announced yet another new acquisition. The company has agreed to acquire Q-Comm Corp., a privately held regional fiber network and CLEC based in Overland Park, Kan., in a transaction valued at approximately $782 million.
Windstream will inherit two subsidiary companies from Q-comm’s holdings: Kentucky Data Link (KDL) and Norlight. KDL provides long-haul and metropolitan fiber services to a diverse customer base, primarily serving wireline and wireless carriers, as well as the large enterprise, government, education and medical markets. KDL’s contiguous fiber network spans nearly 30,000 fiber route miles in 22 states. Norlight is a CLEC that serves approximately 5,500 small and medium size business customers primarily in the Midwest.
“This transaction builds on Windstream’s strategy to become a next-generation telecom provider focused on broadband and enterprise customers,” said Jeff Gardner, president and CEO of Windstream. “KDL’s extensive fiber network creates savings for us as well as opportunities to grow business revenues, particularly transport services for wireless carriers.” Read more
Windstream Invests in $20M in Fiber Network
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, February 1, 2010 · ·
Windstream announced last week that it plans to invest approximately $20 million to expand its core and backhaul fiber network. The rural carrier says that its network will deliver more bandwidth to wireless carriers, and Ethernet and next-generation technologies to business customers. Read more
Windstream to Acquire Iowa Telecom
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, November 30, 2009 · ·
Windstream Corp. has agreed to acquire Iowa Telecommunications Services Inc., based in Newton, Iowa, for $530 million in stock and cash.
Under the terms of the agreement, Iowa Telecom shareholders will receive 0.804 shares of Windstream stock and $7.90 in cash for each share of Iowa Telecom.
Iowa Telecom has approximately 11 access lines per square mile across its service areas and operates an extensive fiber and IP network. Through this acquisition Windstream will expand its footprint in Iowa and Minnesota, gaining approximately 256,000 access lines, 95,000 high-speed Internet customers and 26,000 digital TV customers. The transaction also includes Iowa Telecom’s 15 FCC Advanced Wireless Service (AWS) licenses and three 700 MHz Band licenses. Read more
Windstream Launches ‘Lifetime Price’ on Data/Voice
Posted by Jesse Ward on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 · ·
Windstream Corp. recently announced a new “Lifetime Price Guarantee” on high-speed Internet and unlimited wireline phone service.
The Lifetime Price Guarantee promotion is available for residential customers who subscribe to at least one new bundled service. Customers can choose from a variety of service plans, starting at $49.99 for 3 Mbps and unlimited nationwide calling, and extending up to up to 12 Mbps of high-speed Internet and unlimited nationwide calling with 13 features. Bundled promotional pricing varies, depending upon which services are selected. Read more