Windstream wins service contract with John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts

Windstream (Nasdaq: WIN) has secured a contract extension with John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, illustrating the ongoing momentum in the business services market.

Under the terms of the extended agreement, the telco will provide Internet support services to 44 hotels in addition to 29 other properties it currently serves.

The service provider oversees the hotel chain's wired and WiFi networks, providing necessary equipment and associated tech support.

At each location, Windstream supplies a number of capabilities to support, including wireless access points, switches, and other network equipment; remote monitoring; support calls; and resolving issues from its NOC.  

Being able to renew a contract with John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, one of the largest private, independent owner and manager of hotels, is another key proof point Windstream can cite as it builds its presence as the fourth largest business-centric service provider. Besides John Q. Hammons, the service provider recently secured other large business service contracts with the Richmond, Va. school district and Pratt Industries.  

Not content to follow the herd, Windstream has been building its own business service unit organically and through smaller, yet targeted, acquisitions such as Q-Comm and Paetec, a strategy that's proving to bode good results for the once voice-centric rural service provider. In Q1 2012, it reported that business services rose 3.2 percent to $897 million. 

For more:
- see the release

Special report: ILECs grew video, business and broadband power in Q1 2012

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