Windstream beefs up Cloud Connect service, enables connectivity to AWS, Microsoft services

Windstream is giving its growing cloud customer base another way to connect to any major cloud of their choice via SD-WAN, MPLS, VLS or wavelength network connection.

Over these connectivity mediums, Windstream Cloud Connect offers customers flexible bandwidth options ranging from 50 Mbps to 10 Gbps, with the ability to design customer solutions using multiple 10 Gbps connections. The service is also supported by Windstream’s technical assistance team of engineers who are available 24/7. 

Customers can use any network connection from the telco to create a dedicated, high-speed, secure cloud-optimized network connection to major Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, IBM Bluemix, Google Cloud, Oracle Fast Connect and Salesforce.

RELATED: Windstream Wholesale says SD-WAN requires more training for resellers, VAR partners

Being able to offer what is effectively an onramp to any cloud network securely of the customer’s choosing reflects the ongoing trend that enterprises are moving more of their workloads and business processes to the cloud.

“Windstream Cloud Connect enables customers to confidently and more cost-effectively migrate mission critical applications, workloads and business processes to the cloud,” said Joseph Harding, executive vice president and enterprise chief marketing officer at Windstream, in a release.

Businesses benefit in two ways. Besides being able to connect to name brand cloud services, Windstream can ensure a higher level of performance, uptime and security for cloud-based applications than what can be provided over the public internet.

Windstream’s Cloud Connect solution is available immediately to companies in the service provider’s nationwide service area.

While Windstream isn’t the only provider that offers direct connectivity to major cloud providers, the potential upside for the provider is that this enhanced service could potentially strengthen its bond with existing or new business customers that want to consider them as a cloud connectivity provider. It also ties in well with the service provider’s fiber network expansion as well as the introduction of services such as SD-WAN and wavelength services.