Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL), an Indian optical and digital solutions company with U.S. operations, has partnered with privately held communications service provider Windstream, based in Little Rock, AR, to support Windstream’s large-scale fiber expansion projects.
Windstream Wholesale that serves enterprises, governments, and other carriers, has multiple fiber construction projects underway. These include an extension of its existing Tulsa, OK route from Little Rock, AR, to Memphis, TN; a new fiber build from Raleigh, NC, to Jacksonville, FL; and another project from New York City to Montreal.
Additionally, Windstream, through its Kinetic fiber-to-the-premise business, is providing internet connectivity to homes, businesses, and carrier partners. Kinetic by Windstream is investing $2 billion to expand gigabit internet service across its 18-state footprint.
The collaboration between the companies began in February 2021, when STL began shipping its Optical Networking Solutions to Windstream. Since then, STL has expanded its offering to include advanced optical designs like high-fiber count Intelligently Bonded Ribbon and Flat ribbon cable along with its loose tube optical cables.
These products are designed to ensure faster rollout, network longevity, and high scalability. STL says that such characteristics align with Windstream Wholesale’s requirements for metro, and long-haul optical networks that currently deliver up to 400G wavelength services to its customers and will support 800G transmission in the future.
“For us, it is a top priority to deliver the best reach and customer experience to our consumers including the world’s largest hyperscalers,” said Buddy Bayer, President of Windstream Wholesale and Enterprise. “And we want to do it fast. Windstream sets the bar high in terms of technology and engineering and we are confident that STL, with nearly 30 years of optical expertise and global footprint, will ably support our connectivity ambitions. It’s a bonus that both companies are also equally committed to rural broadband.”
“STL and Windstream are extremely well positioned to take advantage of future market opportunities such as the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program,” said Jeff Small, President of Kinetic by Windstream. “Kinetic is committed to bringing the fastest, most reliable internet service to residents in under-connected communities using the best construction materials manufactured here in America.”
The BEAD Program and other U.S. federal infrastructure projects stipulate domestic manufacturing requirements for fiber optic cable and related equipment. Announced in 2021, STL is building an industry 4.0-certified manufacturing facility in South Carolina that will enable it to produce “Made in America” optical solutions for Windstream and other service providers. STL is able to commit to producing project-compliant materials with shorter-than-average market lead times through local manufacturing and through flexing its global supply chain.
Paul Atkinson, CEO of STL’s Optical Networking Business said, “We think of our customers first. Our goal is to partner and co-develop advanced and sustainable optical solutions with our key customers so that they can contribute to America’s broadband ambitions.”
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