Windstream is to expand its fixed wireless technology in 40 markets using Cambridge Broadband Networks (CBNL) equipment and Straight Path spectrum by deploying CBNL’s VectaStar 39 GHz licensed point-to-multipoint (PMP) radios and utilizing Straight Path’s 39 GHz spectrum to rapidly extend its metro fiber networks. The initiative will significantly expand the last-mile fixed wireless options for Windstream customers across the country.
CBNL is the market leader in millimeter wave licensed PMP and Straight Path is the largest licensed millimeter wave spectrum holder in the US. The partnership 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.
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 the company’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.
The company 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 39 GHz spectrum.
Joe Harding, Chief Marketing Officer at Windstream commented: “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.
Lionel Chmilewsky, Chief Executive Officer at CBNL added: “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 50 MHz channel pairs.
Davidi Jonas, Chief Executive Officer of Straight Path stated: “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.” He continued, “Our partnership with CBNL to invest in bringing a joint 39 GHz 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.”