Ethernet equipment maker Hatteras Networks has landed a plum contract with rural LEC Windstream Corp. (WIN).

Windstream, in its new efforts to move away from consumer landline services, is emphasizing business communications products – hence its takeover of CLEC NuVox Corp. To that point, it’s installing Hatteras Ethernet-over-copper and TDM gear so it can provision up to 40gbps of bandwidth.

“Our modular solution affords Windstream the long-term flexibility to pursue a gradual, pay-as-you-grow strategy while ensuring that its customers stay availed to the leading edge of Ethernet service innovation,” said Kevin Sheehan, CEO of Hatteras Networks, in a prepared statement.

Windstream sells IP voice and data services, along with phone systems and equipment, to companies and government agencies. Of course, it also still provisions phone, Internet and television access to residential users; but the company is reducing its reliance on that sector as more people cut the cord, for which the wireless migration, high unemployment and a weak economy all are to blame.

To that point, Windstream executives said on Feb. 28 during a Telarus-hosted conference that Windstream is not taking over NuVox to dismantle what works. Rather, Windstream wants its employees to assume NuVox’s competition- and business-focused ways of thinking so the rural LEC can grow past its revenue-losing legacy residential base and into the profitable business-services market. And NuVox staff are thrilled.

“The Windstream people have shown me that they want us,” said Dan Sterling, vice president of NuVox’s dealer channel.

“All I’m being told is, ‘Grow top-line revenue as fast as possible’,” Sterling said. “We’re fired up.”

Windstream’s installation of Hatteras infrastructure should help the new Windstream-NuVox reach that sales goal. The deal with Hatteras includes an Ethernet switching and labeling platform for delivering up to 100mpbs of symmetrical services; customer premise equipment for Ethernet-over-copper; demarcation devices for Ethernet over TDM; and repeaters for interconnecting with enterprises or mobile towers.