Channel Development’s January Training Schedule | |
Training Initiative | In an effort to strengthen your market share and successfully grow and manage your PAETEC, now part of Windstream business, we bring you the “Windstream’s Weekly Webinar Series” full of information on the latest products, services and applications. |
New Agent Fast Start Program | This class will give you a basic understanding of Windstream as a Company, an overview of our products and services, enable you to recognize applications, create proposals, manage your orders and access our online sales portal (PAETEC Online). |
January’s Weekly Webinar Schedule | All classes begin at 1:00 p.m. EST: Wednesday, January 4th – Cloud 101 Wednesday, January 11, 2012 – DYIP Product & Online Portal Wednesday, January 18, 2011 – NEW Agent Online Quoting Tool – just released! Wednesday, January 25, 2012 – PAETEC Online, your online customer portal! *Please select the email attachment to add these PAETEC trainings to your Outlook Calendar* |
Log-in information for Web & Audio | To Join the Webinar: 1. http://www.paetec.com/conferencing 2. Enter Conference Bridge Number: 800-501-8979 & Access Code: 1757576 3. Once the Chairperson has arrived, you will placed into conference To Join the Audio Conference Call: 1. Dial 800-501-8979. 2. When asked, enter the Access Code, 1757576. 3. You will be placed into the Audio Conference after the Chairperson starts the call. We appreciate your commitment and look forward to working with you and your team this month. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Channel Development |
New Contact Information | Please contact us to add new or missing members of your organization to the PAETEC email announcements. Please be sure to include your agency name, contact name, contact number and contact email address. |
Windstream's January Agent Training Schedule
Time Warner upcoming Webinars
Business Class PRI training for Agents
Agenda:
· Time Warner Cable in the Telecom Industry
· PRI Technology
· TWCBC PRI Offering
· Selling BC PRI
· Invoicing
· Installation
· Key Differentiators
· Resources
Webinar sessions:
Tuesday, October 18th at 2:00 p.m. ESTClick here to REGISTER for this session orvisit https://twcbc.ilinc.com/register/bbxyrmm
Wednesday, October 19th at 11:00 a.m. ESTClick here to REGISTER for this session orvisit https://twcbc.ilinc.com/register/yvwsxbh
Thursday, October 20th at 3:00 p.m. ESTClick here to REGISTER for this session orvisit https://twcbc.ilinc.com/register/hhfkjxh
Managed Security Solutions and Online Backup training
Agenda:
· Market drivers
· Managed Security Solutions Offering
· Technology and Installation
· Sales Objectives and Strategies
· Online Backup offering
· Tools and Resources
Webinar session:
Wednesday, October 19th at 2:00 p.m. ESTClick here to REGISTER for this session orvisit https://twcbc.ilinc.com/register/ccczjtv
Windstream to Acquire PAETEC
Source: Windstream Corporation
Date: August 1, 2011 05:00 AM ET
Windstream to Acquire PAETEC
Date: August 1, 2011 05:00 AM ET
Windstream to Acquire PAETEC
- Transaction is Another Significant Step in Company's Transformation
- Combination creates a formidable national telecommunications provider with more than $6 billion in total revenue
- Accelerates revenue and free cash flow growth profile with approximately 70percent of revenues from business and broadband services
- Creates nationwide network with approximately 100,000 fiber route miles
- Enhances capabilities in key strategic growth areas including metro fiber, Ethernet, data centers and managed services
- Expected to provide approximately $100 million in annual pre-tax operating cost synergies and tax benefits with a net present value of approximately $250 million
- Expected to be accretive on a free cash flow per share basis, excluding merger and integration costs, in the first year following closing
- Slightly de-leveraging after synergies
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Aug. 1, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Windstream Corp. (Nasdaq:WIN) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire PAETEC Holding Corp. (Nasdaq:PAET), based in Fairport, N.Y., in a transaction valued at approximately $2.3 billion.
"This transaction significantly advances our strategy to drive top-line revenue growth by expanding our focus on business and broadband services," said Jeff Gardner, president and CEO of Windstream. "The combined company will have a nationwide network with a deep fiber footprint to offer enhanced capabilities in strategic growth areas, including IP-based services, data centers, cloud computing and managed services. Financially, we improve our
growth profile and lower the payout ratio on our strong dividend, offering investors a unique combination of growth and yield."
"Both PAETEC and Windstream are built on a customer and employee-focused culture. Together, with far denser network assets, an expansive fiber infrastructure, and larger data center footprint, I believe our brightest days are ahead," said Arunas A. Chesonis, chairman and CEO, of PAETEC. "Our combination now creates a new Fortune 500 company with the financial strength and scale to compete and win against any other provider in the industry. I'm confident that this transaction will deliver substantial long-term value for our customers, employees, and shareholders."
PAETEC shareholders will receive 0.460 shares of Windstream common stock for each PAETEC share owned under the terms of the agreement which was approved by the boards of directors of both companies. Windstream expects to issue approximately 73 million shares of stock valued at approximately $891 million, based on the company's closing stock price on July 29, 2011.
Windstream also will assume or refinance PAETEC's net debt of approximately $1.4 billion at the time of closing. PAETEC stockholders are expected to own approximately 13 percent of the combined company upon closing of the transaction.
Significant Synergies and Tax Attributes Drive Free Cash Flow Accretion
The transaction is expected to be accretive to free cash flow per share, excluding merger and integration costs, in the first year following the closing. The transaction is expected to generate annual pre-tax operating cost synergies of approximately $100 million and capital expenditure savings of approximately $10 million, which are expected to be fully realized by the third year after closing. Windstream expects to incur merger and integration costs of approximately $50 million in operating expense in the first year following the closing and approximately $55 million in capital expenditures over the first three years following closing.
The transaction will allow annual PAETEC net operating loss utilization of approximately $130 million in each of the first 5 years. The tax benefits will have an estimated net present value of approximately $250 million.
Enhanced Scale and Improved Business Mix
The combined company would have had $6.1 billion in total revenue and about $2.4 billion in adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization, which excludes non-cash pension expense, restructuring charges and stock-based compensation expense, on a pro forma basis for the last 12 months ended March 31, 2011. Business and broadband revenues would have comprised approximately 70 percent of total revenue.
The new company will serve business customers in 46 states and the District of Columbia and maintain approximately 100,000 fiber route miles across the country. Windstream will offer data center services across the United States and have improved capability to serve multi-location business customers.
Strong Balance Sheet and Liquidity - Windstream will continue to have a strong balance sheet and liquidity. The transaction will be slightly deleveraging, including synergies.
Committed Financing - Windstream has received $1.1 billion in committed financing in connection with the acquisition, which financing would be required if Windstream refinances the assumed debt.
Dividend Practice - Windstream pays an annual dividend of $1 per share and its board of directors expects to continue the current dividend practice after the transaction closes.
Approvals and Anticipated Closing - The transaction is expected to close within six months, subject to certain conditions, including necessary approvals from federal and state regulators and PAETEC shareholders.
PAETEC Overview - PAETEC is a competitive local exchange carrier and provides telecommunications services primarily to business customers in 46 states and the District of Columbia. The company operates seven data centers in the U.S. and owns approximately 36,700 route miles of fiber in portions of 39 states and the District of Columbia.
PAETEC has approximately 5,000 employees, including about 875 in the Rochester, N.Y. area. The company was founded in 1998.
Additional Information - Stephens Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are acting as financial advisers and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is acting as legal adviser to Windstream in the transaction.
BofA Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. are acting as financial advisers and Hogan Lovells is acting as legal adviser to PAETEC in the transaction.
Conference Call - Windstream will hold a conference call at 8 a.m. CDT today to review the transaction.
To Access the Call - Interested parties can access the call by dialing 1-877-374-3977, conference ID 88434342, ten minutes prior to the start time.
To Access the Call Replay- A replay of the call will be available beginning at 9 a.m. CDT today and ending at midnight CDT on Aug. 8. The replay can be accessed by dialing 1-855-859-2056, conference ID 88434342.
Webcast Information - The conference call also will be streamed live over the company's website at www.windstream.com/investors. A replay of the webcast will be available on the website beginning at 9 a.m. CDT today.
About PAETEC - PAETEC (Nasdaq:PAET), a Fortune 1000 company, is personalizing communications and energy solutions in 86 of the top 100 metropolitan areas across the United States. We offer a comprehensive suite of network services (voice, data and fiber solutions), as well as managed services, cloud and data center services, software and technology, and energy services. For more information, visit http://www.paetec.com/.
About Windstream - Windstream Corp. (Nasdaq:WIN), headquartered in Little Rock, Ark., is an S&P 500 communications and technology solutions provider with operations in 29 states and the District of Columbia and about $4 billion in annual revenues. Windstream provides IP-based voice and data services, MPLS networking, data center and managed hosting services and communication systems to businesses and government agencies. The company also delivers broadband, digital phone and high-definition TV services to residential customers primarily located in rural areas and operates a local and long-haul fiber network spanning approximately 60,000 route miles. For more information about Windstream, visit http://www.windstream.com/.
A reconciliation of pro forma results referenced in the news release to the comparable GAAP measures is available on the company's website at www.windstream.com/investors.
The Windstream Corporation logo is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=8314
Windstream Acquires PAETEC for $2.3 billion
Windstream Acquires PAETEC for $2.3 billion
Verizon Communications delivered its second quarter earnings report Friday, and the numbers from its wireless unit look pretty good. The company added a total of 2.2 million subscribers, including 1.3 million postpaid subscribers, making for a grand total of 106.3 million connections. This equates year-over-year growth of 6.6%.
SOURCE: InformationWeek ( http://bit.ly/pbWIlH )
Smoothstone IP Communications announced that its MaxxConnect IP trunking services are certified to be compatible with IP telephony systems from ShoreTel.
SOURCE: Smoothstone IP Communications ( http://prn.to/qqrTyP )
Windstream Hosted Solutions announced it has begun a significant expansion to its Raleigh data center, one which will grow the facility's usable space by almost 50 percent to 32,000 square feet.
SOURCE: MarketWatch ( http://bit.ly/qEcdSu )
Time Warner Cable has launched its DOCSIS 3.0-based Wideband Internet tier in the Midlands area of South Carolina, including Columbia, Blythewood, Batesburg, Sumter and Orangeburg.
SOURCE: Time Warner Cable ( http://bit.ly/qsL1Qv )
Windstream Corp. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire PAETEC Holding Corp. based in Fairport, N.Y., in a transaction valued at approximately $2.3 billion.
SOURCE: Windstream Corporation ( http://bit.ly/qaAg7F )
XO Communications announced the following XO Ethernet services earned MEF 9 and MEF 14 certifications.
SOURCE: Market Watch ( http://bit.ly/ni4JFj )
Level 3 Communications, announced that it now offers connectivity to its colocation facility at London Stock Exchange Group's Data Center in the City of London. The point-of-presence (PoP) offers connectivity to the world's leading financial institutions who are co-located within the Exchange Hosting facility, using Level 3's global network.
SOURCE: Level 3 Communications
This message is brought to you by Telarus, one of the telecom industry's largest master agent for 35+ carriers. Telarus has patented instant carrier research and pricing technology to enable independent telecom brokers to research and sell carrier services more efficiently. For questions or suggestions on news, please contact Justin Chugg (Justin@Telarus.com) at (877) 346-3232.
Managed Data Center
- - PRESS RELEASE - -
What exactly is Managed Data Center?
Virtual Private Cloud environments allow customers the ability to augment or replace legacy computer hardware infrastructures without investing capital in equipment that may be insufficient or obsolete in a short time. Customers get the additional benefits of a virtual installation with the ability to add supplementary servers quickly.
"Our new Managed Data Center and security offerings provide customers with the performance, availability, and quality they have come to expect from US Signal at a price point that will help them address ever-increasing budget pressures," says Aaron Shaver, director of product development. "With the recent advancements in cloud-based computing and security technologies, we are able to offer carrier-grade performance at a fraction of an enterprise IT budget."
Virtual Private Clouds are created with customized Virtual Private Servers built with dedicated CPU, memory, and storage resources, offering customers a redundant computing environment with unparalleled security and storage not available in the public cloud.
Customers can access their cloud and storage environments in the Managed Data Center using US Signal's data products like MPLS and Virtual Ethernet or by using IPsec VPN in conjunction with Managed Security and Dedicated Internet Access.
US Signal's Managed Data Center offering is supported by the company's Network Operations Center. "Bringing together network and data center services provides an end-to-end Service Level Agreement unavailable with public cloud offerings," says Steve Vander Pol, product manager. "As technology evolves, US Signal continues to push the envelope of unified communications by providing comprehensive solutions for our customers that result in simplifying and streamlining their business network needs."
The Benefits
Virtual Private Cloud environments are particularly valuable in helping companies reduce costs while increasing data security. US Signal's Managed Data Center reduces customer capital expenditures by replacing large physical server deployments with rapidly scalable virtual environments. In addition, the Managed Data Center also increases customer data security by placing data behind US Signal's carrier-grade firewalls. US Signal's Managed Data Center is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) built on Cisco and HP platforms utilizing 3PAR Storage Arrays.
One Communications Partner Training
Upcoming Business Partner Training
Register Now for Sessions Beginning March 15th!
One Communications Partner training sessions are designed to help you learn
more about the products and services available to you as a One
Communications Business Partner so you can provide your customers' the right
solution at the right price, while continuing to grow revenue for your
business. To that end, our March Business Partner Training schedule has been
established and is now available for preregistration. Take a look at the
available dates and topics listed below and remember that space is limited,
so be sure to register today by clicking on the links below.
OneSolutions Product Training:
Session 1:
Topic: OneSolutions Product Overview - Business Partners
Host: Kellie Dooher
Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Time: 11:00 am, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)
Session Number: 683 121 189
Click here to register for this training session
Session 2:
Topic: OneSolutions Product Overview - Business Partners
Host: Kellie Dooher
Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Time: 11:00 am, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)
Session Number: 686 251 543
Click here to register for this training session
Please note that our Business Partner training sessions do not require a
registration password. For questions regarding the above training and
registration, please contact your One Communications Channel Manager.
*One Communications Proprietary*
Not for Reproduction or Further Distribution without the Written Consent of
One Communications
Paetec Training
In an effort to continue giving you the tools you need to successfully grow and manage your PAETEC base of business, we bring you our Weekly Webinar Series full of information on the latest products, services and
applications.
March schedule will include:
All classes are at 1:00pm EST:
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011 – Equipment For Services
Wednesday, March 9th, 2011 – Ethernet Over Copper
Wednesday, March 16th, 2011 – Pinnacle SBOSS, Customer Management Solution
Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011 – Network Based Firewall with Intrusion Detection & Prevention (IDPS)
This class will give you a basic understanding of PAETEC as a Company, an overview of our products and services, enable you to recognize applications, create proposals, manage your orders and access our online sales portal
(PAETEC Online): Tuesday, March 1st , 2011– Please pre-register with the attached form and return to Channel Development.
Instructions for joining this Webinar:
1. Access the PAETEC Website by pointing your browser to:
https://www1.callinfo.com/interface/guest.jsp?host=paetec&an=8005018987&ac=1757576
2. You will be asked for your Name, Email, Phone Number and Company. Please
enter the appropriate information so we can send you communications after
the call. Hit "Submit."
3. Once the Chairperson has started the conference, you will be entered into
the Web conference and your screen will display the discussion information.
To Join the Audio Conference Call:
1. Dial 800-501-8979.
2. When asked, enter the Access Code, 1757576.
3. You will be placed into the Audio Conference after the Chairperson starts the call.
We appreciate your commitment and look forward to working with you and your team this month. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Channel Development.
TELECOM NEWS 3-2011
LinkedIn Groups
• Group: Telecom Channel Updates
• Subject: TELECOM NEWS
• Group: Telecom Channel Updates
• Subject: TELECOM NEWS
Level 3 Communications, Inc. today announced a strategic long-term agreement with leading Middle East telecommunications operator Saudi Telecom to enable international IP and content distribution services in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East.
SOURCE: Stockhouse
Fibre-optic connectivity services provider AboveNet has completed its expansion in Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris. It now offers a portfolio of metro and WAN services to enterprises and carriers across Europe.
SOURCE: TELECOMPAPER
XO Communications Launches Cloud-Based Communications Service for Enterprises
SOURCE: marketwire
Sprint Nextel will offer a handset next month from HTC that includes Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 operating system.
SOURCE: Channel Partners
Intellifiber Networks, a subsidiary of PAETEC Holding Corp., says it has won a multi-million dollar contract to provide managed network services to one of the largest data centers in North America..
SOURCE: LIGHTWAVE
The House of Representatives passed an amendment to an annual spending bill that prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from using funds to implement controversial Internet rules the agency adopted in December but have not yet gone into effect.
SOURCE: Channel Partners
The Telecom Channel Updates group has added more than 5,000 members in the last 10 months.
Losses to continue to pile up at Clearwire, the Kirkland, Wash.-based company that is building a nationwide, fourth-generation wireless network.
SOURCE: Channel Partners
Cox Communications this week is kicking off an advertising campaign in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla., for its mobile phone and data services, as the MSO gears up to launch wireless in the market in the first half of 2011.
SOURCE: MultiChannel News
Broadview Networks plans to roll out its cloud computing services at the end of February. The suite, which includes infrastructure as a service and software as a service, will be available for sale through the company's agents. SOURCE: Channel Partners
Level 3 Communications, Inc. announced that it has extended its network infrastructure in Georgia with the construction of a full network point of presence and fiber node at Global Net Access, LLC's (GNAX) AtlantaNAP Data Center.
SOURCE: Business Wire
Broadview Networks announced that OfficeSuite, its hosted Internet Protocol (IP) phone solution, has surpassed 50,000 VoIP stations in service.
SOURCE: TMCnet.com
LightSquared, a company that has raised $2 billion to build a wireless broadband network that incorporates satellite technology, is in talks with a major U.S. mobile operator to help speed up the development of its infrastructure at a lower cost, according to a new report.
SOURCE: Channel Partners
Comcast has been testing upstream channel bonding for some time, and has seen upstream speeds as high as 75 Mbps in the labs. According to a Comcast engineer, upstream channel bonding should be production ready by the end of March, meaning you should see faster upstream speeds this year:
SOURCE: BroadBand
Verizon Business on Friday announced that it has met Cisco's prerequisites to sell, implement and support the Cisco Unified Computing System in the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands.
SOURCE: Channel Partners
Integra Telecom Inc. released a new online data storage product intended to help growing businesses accommodate for increasing data storage needs.
SOURCE: internet.com
Accelerating Time-to-Value
Accelerating Time-to-Value for IT Enabled Solutions (Part I)
CEOs are placing additional pressure on CIOs to deliver IT-enabled business
solutions in shorter periods of time that have an immediate impact on the
bottom-line. Not surprisingly, both business and IT leaders have a role in
meeting this challenge. From an IT perspective, traditional methods of
scoping, developing and delivering IT solutions need to be reconsidered.
From a business perspective, the idea of throwing projects "over-the-wall"
to IT doesn't work either. Both business and IT need to rethink their
respective roles as new IT-enabled capabilities are envisioned, developed
and deployed. This blog describes the first five of ten best practices that
you might find helpful as you work with your business colleagues to quickly
deliver IT-enabled capabilities. These have less to do with technology and
more to do with how business and IT work together. You'll have to wait for
part II of this blog to read about the remaining five best practices.
1. Pursue a Worthwhile Goal
In order to motivate a group to go fast, the goal has to be compelling. In
most businesses, the executive team, including the CIO, is required to
develop a business strategy that contains a set of initiatives that are
worthwhile, compelling and enable the company to compete effectively in the
marketplace. Many of these strategic initiatives involve some level of
information technology as a critical enabler. However, the complaint among
many business leaders is that these IT investments don't deliver the
requisite business value. To achieve this business value requires a close
partnership between business and IT, each stepping up to their respective
responsibilities. When all parties have a stake in a project's outcome and
are held accountable for results, they are more inclined to endorse and
sustain the effort versus abandon it. See my previous blog, "The business
value of IT."
2. Cut Through the Bureaucracy and Roadblocks
Does your company require IT projects to pass through a gauntlet of
unnecessary reviews, checkpoints, executive presentations and the like? Do
these reviews balance the need to identify and mitigate risk with a
discussion on how to accelerate project deployment and improve the
probability of success? Or have these reviews become more of a formality and
a way to spread accountability? A careful examination of barriers and
roadblocks that delay project completion should be pursued. Those that
aren't aligned with the objective of accelerating deployment and ensuring a
successful outcome should be eliminated.
3. Experience Matters - Use the "A" Team
Most experienced leaders know that a handful of very talented staff can do
the work of a much larger group of average individuals. This requirement is
true for both business and IT professionals assigned to the project. This
may mean pulling some of a company's strongest leaders out of day-to-day
operations for a short period of time. Go with "A" players that have a
demonstrated track record of successful project delivery versus "C" players
that just happen to be available. If a company doesn't have the requisite
number of "A" players to manage the execution of all strategic initiatives,
it can either engage outside resources to supplement internal staff or cut
back on the number of initiatives it is pursuing at any given time.
4. Set Aggressive Time Goals
When it comes to reducing time-to-value for IT-enabled projects, one is
reminded of the old adage - "nothing good happens after midnight." An
IT-enabled project that takes longer than six months will quickly reach the
point of diminishing return where nothing good can occur. In fact, three
months is an even better duration for an IT-enabled project. Application
development techniques like Agile programming can work within even much
shorter time periods - typically less than one month. Yes, it is possible to
deliver substantive, IT-enabled capabilities within a month. This doesn't
mean that businesses should limit their ambitions in terms of the degree of
change that is needed to remain competitive. It just means that they should
time-fence the execution of the change in six month increments or less.
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5. Provide Meaningful Incentives
Although the goal in and of itself can motivate high levels of performance,
other incentives can be quite effective as well. These incentives can
include performance bonuses, project participation for skill development,
public recognition, promotions and many others. In any case, incentives need
to be meaningful, performance (as opposed to effort) based and not perceived
as a token. It is also extremely important that business and IT participants
on the project share similar incentives. It is critical that annual
performance objectives for project participants also include successful
milestone completion and, as appropriate, realization of the project's
objectives (e.g. cost reduction, revenue growth, improved customer service)
as a key accountability. Finally, incentives need to be timely (e.g. upon
achievement of a significant project milestone) and not delayed until the
normal end-of-year cycle.
Recent column by Rick Davidson
Seth's Blog: Making meetings more expensive
Making meetings more expensive
...might actually make them cost less.
What would happen if your organization hired a meeting fairy?
The fairies' job would be to ensure that meetings were short, efficient and effective. He would focus on:
• Getting precisely the right people invited, but no others.
• Making the meeting start right on time.
• Scheduling meetings so that they don't end when Outlook says they should, but so that they end when they need to.
• Ensuring that every meeting has a clearly defined purpose, and accomplishes that purpose, then ends.
• Welcoming guests appropriately. If you are hosting someone, the fairy makes sure the guest has adequate directions, a place to productively wait before the meeting starts, access to the internet, something to drink, biographies of who else will be in the room and a clear understanding of the goals of the meeting.
• Managing the flow of information, including agendas and Powerpoints. This includes eliminating the last minute running around looking for a VGA cable or a monitor that works. The fairy would make sure that everyone left with a copy of whatever they needed.
• Issuing a follow up memo to everyone who attended the meeting, clearly delineating who came and what was decided.
If you do all this, every time you call a meeting it's going to cost more to organize. Which means you'll call fewer meetings, those meetings will be shorter and more efficient. And in the long run, you'll waste less time and get more done.
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