Windstream Wins 5G Spectrum in FCC Auctions to Boost Rural Broadband Speeds

Company will expand availability of high-speed broadband with speeds
up to 1 Gig

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Windstream, a leading provider of advanced network communications and
technology solutions, today announced that it won spectrum blocks in the
24 GHz and 28 GHz 5G airwaves auctions recently conducted by the Federal
Communications Commission.

“Windstream will use this new 5G spectrum to expand the availability of
high-speed broadband, enabling consumers and small and medium-sized
businesses in rural areas to access broadband speeds up to 1 Gigabit per
second,” said Jeff Small, president of Windstream’s Kinetic business
segment.

Windstream will pay a total of $26.6 million for blocks of spectrum in
14 states covering more than 5 million total households, including
approximately 2 million households in locations where Windstream is the
incumbent local exchange carrier. The spectrum and associated
electronics and equipment will be wholly owned by Windstream.

In homes equipped with Gig service, consumers can engage in multiple
bandwidth-intensive activities simultaneously – such as streaming music,
4K video and virtual reality applications and games – without buffering.
For businesses, Gig service enables next-generation network, cloud,
voice, security and business continuity solutions.

“Windstream is committed to bringing best-in-class Internet to rural
communities, many in thinly populated areas, across our Kinetic
footprint,” Small said. “We’re using a variety of methods to accomplish
that goal, including software enhancements, fiber expansion, fixed
wireless and now 5G wireless technology in our passionate pursuit to
satisfy our customers’ growing demand for faster broadband speeds.”

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
medium-sized 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.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Windstream Holdings, Inc. claims the protection of the safe-harbor for
forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are typically
identified by words or phrases such as “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,”
“expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “target,” “forecast”
and other words and terms of similar meaning. Forward-looking
statements, including statements about the expected use of 5G spectrum
to expand availability of high-speed broadband with speeds up to 1 Gig,
are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future
events and results to differ materially from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are based on estimates, projections, beliefs,
and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable but are not
guarantees of future events, performance or results. Actual future
events and results may differ materially from those expressed in these
forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contemplated in our forward-looking statements include, among others,
factors under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report
and in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.
The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.

Contacts

Windstream
David Avery, 501-748-5876
david.avery@windstream.com