Kinetic Business by Windstream Marks National Preparedness Month, Urges Disaster Planning

Kinetic Business 1-Gig Fiber Internet, unified communications ensure business uptime

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kinetic Business by Windstream, a leading provider of advanced network communications and technology solutions, is marking National Preparedness Month this September by encouraging commercial enterprises to review their business continuity plans and make network investments that minimize or virtually eliminate downtime.

Communication is key during a disaster. Each September, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recognizes the virtue of planning for the worst. The Federal Emergency Management Administration (a DHS agency) named “resilient communications capabilities” among four priorities outlined in its 2018-2022 Strategic Plan for the nation.

“At Kinetic Business, we train for disaster response, but we’re also making new network connections and implementing new technology to mitigate disaster,” said Jeff Small, president of the company’s consumer and small and midsize business segment. “Technology should be a central part of a business’s disaster preparedness plan. Uptime is crucial for businesses, especially when the business is responsible for the care of residents and patients.”

A recent example occurred two years ago when Kinetic Business powered Rising Oaks Assisted Living Facility in Live Oak, Fla., with gigabit-speed fiber internet. Soon after, powerful Hurricane Irma wrecked the length of the entire peninsula.

Rising Oaks had come to rely on its internet-based communications system, including three dozen voice lines (VoIP) and facility-wide intercom, by the time Irma struck. A cloud-based platform, its servers are far off-site. It’s also supported by a 4G satellite network connection backup. The following year, it was Hurricane Michael and historic flooding that threatened the center, but Rising Oaks’ fiber internet didn’t fail them.

“Families that can’t get in touch with their loved ones, you can imagine the anxiety. That’s why the need for a 1-gig fiber internet system that really works is so stringent in this setting,” said Milton Smith, managing partner of Rising Oaks.

Kinetic Business believes preparedness means choosing resilient fiber internet connections, cloud computing solutions, wireless satellite backups, security packages and Software as a Service (SaaS), but such investments don’t have to be joyless. For example, gigabit-speed fiber internet powers immersive new workplace experiences such as virtual and augmented reality training, and Unified Communications as a Service platforms as a next-generation VoIP solution allows employees to get out of the office and still host virtual meetings and take clients’ (or co-workers’) messages by voice and text on tablet or cellphone.

Since January, Kinetic Business has made tens of thousands of 1-Gig Fiber Internet connections to commercial clients like Rising Oaks. By year’s end, the company expects to connect roughly 100,000 businesses in 16 states with fiber internet.

To learn more about Kinetic Business by Windstream, visit kineticbusiness.com.

About Windstream

Windstream Holdings, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, is a leading provider of advanced network communications and technology solutions. Windstream provides data networking, core transport, security, unified communications and managed services to mid-market, enterprise and wholesale customers across the U.S. The company also offers broadband, entertainment and security services for consumers and small and midsize businesses primarily in rural areas in 18 states. Services are delivered over multiple network platforms including a nationwide IP network, our proprietary cloud core architecture and on a local and long-haul fiber network spanning approximately 150,000 miles. Additional information is available at windstream.com or windstreamenterprise.com. Please visit our newsroom at news.windstream.com or follow us on Twitter at @Windstream or @WindstreamBiz.

Contacts

Scott Morris, 501-748-5342

Scott.l.morris@windstream.com