Windstream Restructuring Plan OKed, Bankruptcy Exit Expected in August

Windstream‘s restructuring plan was approved Thursday and the communications giant expects to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late August.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has confirmed Windstream’s restructuring plan. Windstream will emerge from bankruptcy as a privately held company.

Windstream will reduce its debt by more than $4 billion or about two-thirds. It also will have access to about $2 billion in new capital to expand 1 gig internet service in rural America.

In addition, it will maintain its product and software “leadership” in SD-WAN and UCaaS for enterprise customers, the company said.

Windstream said it will refocus its allocation of resources on growing the business and better positioning the company for the long term.

Windstream filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy last February.

‘Important Milestone’

Windstream’s Tony Thomas

“We were able to reach this important milestone thanks to the support of our financial stakeholders, as well as our customers, vendors and business partners,” said Tony Thomas, Windstream’s president and CEO. “The court’s confirmation of our plan puts us on a definitive path to emerge from restructuring with a stronger balance sheet and healthy liquidity position to continue making network and software investments for the benefit of our customers. I want to thank the entire Windstream team for remaining focused on our customers and for tirelessly providing essential communications services during the reorganization process.”

Last month, a federal judge in New York approved Windstream’s proposed settlement with Uniti Group. Uniti spun off from Windstream in 2015 when the latter sold off some of its network assets. Uniti controls the broadband network that is critical to Windstream’s operations. Windstream supplies approximately 70% of Uniti’s revenue in exchange for access to the network.

“We look forward to beginning this new chapter for Windstream,” Thomas said. “When we emerge, our lenders will become our new owners and strategic partners, and are aligned with our long-term strategy and mission to deliver quality and reliable services. As a private company, Windstream will have increased flexibility to invest in our network, accelerate our transformation and return to growth. Together, we will emerge from this process as a stronger company able to successfully compete in the communications marketplace.”

Matt Milliron is head of strategic channels at Windstream Enterprise. He said over the past year partners have benefited from an enhanced go-to-market strategy, product and technological advancements, and expanded sales support through channel integration.

“[Thursday’s] ruling by the court allows us the flexibility to invest significant capital into our solutions and network,” he said. “We appreciate our partner’s loyalty and trust as we guide our customers’ transition to the cloud. Now more than ever, it’s a powerful time to be a partner with Windstream Enterprise as we accelerate our growth trajectory.”

Bankruptcy Not About Business Health

Omdia’s Brian Washburn

Brian Washburn is an analyst with Omdia. He said Windstream’s bankruptcy was not about the health of the business itself.

“The company was forced to reorganize following a legal ruling that involved its unique operating structure with partner Uniti,” he said. “The company will emerge privately held, which resolves the issue. Windstream’s operations continued doing business as usual throughout the bankruptcy process. Of course in 2020, COVID-19 is affecting all businesses, but so far network operators are holding.”

Windstream’s operating structure was a unique example of commercial-led structural separation, Washburn said.

“This whole episode has a chilling effect on any other public U.S. network operators that might have even remotely considered some flavor of commercial structural separation,” he said.