Windstream (NASDAQ:WIN) plans to double the availability of its 100 Mbps Kinetic Internet Service across its 18-state footprint in the first quarter of 2019. Approximately 30% of the households in Windstream's local exchanges are expected to have access to 100 Mbps Internet service by the end of March.
In addition, network upgrades completed during 2018 made speeds of 50 Mbps or greater available to approximately 40% of households in Windstream's footprint, up from 33% at the start of the year, as well as speeds of 25 Mbps or greater to more than 60% of households, up from 55% at the start of the year.
"Windstream understands that premium Internet speeds are critical to families and businesses in rural America, and we are systematically enhancing our network to meet that urgent demand," said Jeff Small, president of the company's consumer and small and medium-sized business segment. "Network upgrades are expensive, especially in rural areas where there are relatively few customers, so Windstream is using a combination of its own capital and crucial support from the FCC's Connect America Fund to make faster speeds more widely available. Without support from the Connect America Fund, many of these projects simply would not be economically feasible."
Windstream is using a variety of technologies for its network upgrades, including fixed wireless solutions, smaller customer-serving devices, and fiber to the premises.
"Rural broadband deployment can be challenging, but the Windstream team is committed to finding creative solutions that deliver the robust, secure Internet connections our customers deserve," Small said.
