CenturyLink Expands Partnership with Google Cloud to Help Enterprises Become More Agile on their Cloud Journeys

MONROE, La., May 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As global enterprises count on dynamic networks to connect to the cloud, CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) is expanding its partnership with Google Cloud to help drive digital transformation for companies. The partnership enables CenturyLink to combine a leading public cloud, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), with CenturyLink IT consulting services.

By joining the Google Cloud Partner Program, CenturyLink will provide implementation, sales and technical support to enterprises as they accelerate innovation with cloud solutions. This reinforces CenturyLink's support for GCP – in June 2018, the company announced it could connect customers to Google Cloud globally through Google Cloud Partner Interconnect. In addition, CenturyLink's global broadcast fiber network, Vyvx Cloud Connect, provides access to GCP by offering multi-site, diverse connectivity paths into GCP for high-bandwidth, high-quality video feeds.

"Our work with CenturyLink is a prime example of our fast-growing cloud ecosystem and Google Cloud's commitment to support the technology needs of enterprises today," said Carolee Gearhart, vice president of Worldwide Channel Sales at Google Cloud. "We look forward to continuing to expand our partnership with CenturyLink, which brings a wealth of expertise in SAP consulting, big data analytics and secure private networking to public and hybrid cloud workloads."

CenturyLink has established a Google Cloud center of excellence with certified Google Cloud Architects and Engineers who are highly skilled in cloud infrastructure, networking, migration and managed services. In addition, CenturyLink Cloud Connect Solutions for Google Cloud provides organizations with enterprise-grade, dedicated connectivity so they can move both private and public workloads from offices and data centers on their wide-area networks (WAN) to Google Cloud Platform in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. CenturyLink Cloud Connect is a service capable of delivering real-time connections between data centers and a variety of cloud services that enable organizations to scale on demand.

"This partnership enables global enterprises to leverage the power of CenturyLink's diverse global network combined with our innovative thought leadership in optimizing application deployment and advanced IT services that help meet the full range of their hybrid cloud needs," said Mahesh Dalvi, vice president, Global IT Solutions and Managed Services, CenturyLink. "Both Google Cloud and CenturyLink are highly focused on tackling complex enterprise needs, including the optimization of critical workloads such as SAP and Big Data."  

Additional Resources

• To engage with CenturyLink's Google Cloud center of excellence, email: GoogleCoE@centurylink.com

• For more information on CenturyLink's partnership with Google, visit: http://news.centurylink.com/2018-06-11-CenturyLink-helps-connect-customers-to-Google-Cloud-globally

• To see the business benefits of CenturyLink's connectivity, watch this video: https://players.brightcove.net/1186058296001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5844424152001

About CenturyLink
CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL) is the second largest U.S. communications provider to global enterprise customers. With customers in more than 60 countries and an intense focus on the customer experience, CenturyLink strives to be the world's best networking company by solving customers' increased demand for reliable and secure connections. The company also serves as its customers' trusted partner, helping them manage increased network and IT complexity and providing managed network and cyber security solutions that help protect their business.

For further information: Frank Tutalo; 703-363-8698; frank.tutalo@centurylink.com

Providence Strategic Growth Invests in DivvyCloud

DivvyCloud Raises $19 Million to Automate Cloud Security and Compliance

Investment to Fuel Innovation in Cloud Security and Support Growing Customer Demand

ARLINGTON, Va., May 1, 2019 --DivvyCloud, a leading provider of security and compliance automation for public cloud and container infrastructure, today announced a $19 million growth round, bringing its total capital raised to date to $29 million. This round was led by Providence Strategic Growth with follow-on investments from existing investors MissionOG and RTP Ventures. The added investment allows DivvyCloud to make specific technological advancements to its cloud security and compliance solution, as well as expand sales and marketing efforts and customer success programs to meet rapidly increasing demand.

“In a quickly maturing market, DivvyCloud has demonstrated a unique value proposition for enterprises leveraging the public cloud,” said John R. Marquis, Principal, Providence Strategic Growth.

“Most enterprise companies are implementing a multi-cloud strategy and require a platform that allows them to fully embrace self-service access without losing control,” said Brian J. Shin, Managing Director, Providence Strategic Growth. “In the cloud era, security cannot be an impediment to innovation. Importantly, DivvyCloud delivers a strategy for companies to have their cake and eat it too - unrestricted access to cloud services for developers to drive innovation and a robust approach to improving security and compliance. The impact of DivvyCloud’s best-in-class software platform has been proven by impressive customer adoption and retention.”

DivvyCloud was founded in 2013 with a vision of empowering enterprises to give developers the freedom to innovate through self-service access to cloud services while at the same time enhance security and compliance. Building upon its industry-leading solution, DivvyCloud will leverage the infusion of capital to innovate its product offerings, including extending policy enforcement capabilities into the continuous integration/continuous delivery (CICD) pipeline and deepening integrations with key third-party solutions to enhance orchestration.

“Data breaches caused by misconfigurations of public cloud services have been dominating headlines in 2019 and are costing enterprises millions of dollars, needlessly,” said Brian Johnson, CEO and co-founder, DivvyCloud. “DivvyCloud is uniquely positioned, with our approach to automation that uses real-time remediation to allow enterprises to fully realize the benefits of public cloud and container adoption without the risk of misconfigurations and other common security and compliance issues. With this funding, we intend to deliver specific product advancements; strengthen support for containers, cloud identity, and serverless; and broaden our market penetration to benefit companies around the globe. Our goal is to enable every enterprise in the world to be able to confidently and securely embrace cloud services to drive rapid innovation.”

Headed by a strong leadership team, DivvyCloud has doubled its customer base in the last 12 months, including adding marquee customers Kroger, CoStar and Pizza Hut. The company has also doubled its staff in the past year, including adding key executive hires Scott Totman as head of engineering and product development, and Rick Juneja as head of customer success. Brian J. Shin, Managing Director of Providence Strategic Growth, has also joined DivvyCloud’s board of directors.

Further validating DivvyCloud’s market position, the company was named the Editor’s Choice Winner in Cloud Security by Cyber Defense Magazine in the 2019 Infosec Awards and was a winner in Cloud Security in the Cybersecurity Product category in the 2019 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards.

“The majority of our direct competitors have been acquired by large conglomerates, leaving DivvyCloud uniquely positioned as a well-funded company exclusively focused on driving innovation in the cloud security posture management category,” continued Johnson. “Enterprises continue to turn to our best-in-class software platform for a secure and compliant approach to operating cloud and container services.”

About DivvyCloud

DivvyCloud helps enterprise customers improve security, take control, and minimize risk as they embrace the dynamic, self-service, nature of public cloud and container infrastructure. With DivvyCloud, security, GRC, and operations professionals can identify risks in real-time and take automatic, user-defined action to fix problems before they're exploited. Customers run DivvyCloud's software to achieve continuous security governance in cloud and container environments. Freedom is good. Chaos is bad. To learn more: www.divvycloud.com

About Providence Strategic Growth Capital Partners L.L.C.

Providence Strategic Growth (“PSG”) is an affiliate of Providence Equity Partners (“Providence”). Established in 2014, PSG focuses on growth equity investments in lower middle market software and technology-enabled service companies, primarily in North America. Providence is a premier global asset management firm that pioneered a sector-focused approach to private equity investing with the vision that a dedicated team of industry experts could build exceptional companies of enduring value. Since the firm's inception in 1989, Providence has invested in more than 180 companies and is a leading equity investment firm focused on the media, communications, education and information industries. Providence is headquartered in Providence, RI, and also has offices in New York and London. For more information on PSG, please visit https://www.provequity.com/private-equity/psg, and for more information on Providence, please visit www.provequity.com.

Contacts

Emily Ashley
PR for DivvyCloud
DivvyCloud@10fold.com
916-710-0950

Andrew Cole
PR for PSG
ACole@SARDVERB.com 212.687.8080

LIBERTY GLOBAL ANNOUNCES PRIME VIDEO PARTNERSHIP WITH AMAZON

Liberty Global, the world’s largest international TV and broadband provider, today announced a multi-year deal with Amazon to make the best content and viewing experience available to 4 million Virgin Media TV customers in the UK.

Virgin Media will be the first of Liberty Global’s European operations to integrate the Amazon Prime Video app within its Ultra HD V6 set-top box.

The launch adds award-winning and critically-acclaimed Amazon Originals The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, The Grand Tour and the highly-anticipated Good Omens, starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant, as well as Premier League coverage offered by Prime Video to Virgin Media’s extensive offering of broadcast and on demand programming across its multi-device TV service. Virgin Media customers will also have access to a range of Ultra High Definition (UHD) and HDR TV shows and movies.

The deal further enhances Liberty Global’s strategy of combining the very best over-the-top online video apps and offerings from major streaming players, with its own world-class content and TV functionality, in a seamlessly-integrated experience. Customers can search, access and enjoy the top movies, series and sports they love with the convenience and flexibility of a single platform – powered by ultrafast broadband networks that enable high-quality, buffer-free viewing.

Enrique Rodriguez, Liberty Global’s EVP and Chief Technology Officer said: “We’re excited to partner with Amazon to deliver its highly-popular content, including Amazon Originals and Exclusives, directly to our consumers. We know our customers want to see their favourite shows and programming on their big screen at home, and our partnership with streaming services like Amazon continues to make that happen.”

Jay Marine, Vice President, Amazon Prime Video Europe commented: “We have made it even easier for our customers to enjoy Prime Video including Amazon Originals like The Grand Tour, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and the highly-anticipated Good Omens starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant. We are excited that these shows and many others, award-winning movies and our forthcoming exclusive Premier League matches will all be available on Virgin Media’s V6 box for millions of Prime members across the country.”

Lutz Schüler, Chief Operating Officer, Virgin Media, added: “This partnership with Amazon reinforces our track record of teaming with the best to give our customers unbeatable content. Virgin Media customers will soon be able to seamlessly search for and watch incredible Amazon Prime programming directly from their V6 box in the highest possible quality. With thousands of box sets, movies, exclusive and original content, as well as 20 live Premier League games airing later this year, Virgin Media customers will have even more of the TV they love in one place all powered by our ultrafast connectivity.”

Virgin Media customers will be able to access the Prime Video application through Virgin TV from this summer.

LIBERTY PUERTO RICO RECOGNIZED WITH WORKPLACE AWARD FROM AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

The company was recognized for promoting employee well-being and performance.

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – April 22, 2019 — The American Psychological Association (APA) recently awarded Liberty Puerto Rico with its 2019 Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award. One of only eight employers from across the United States and Canada to receive the distinction this year, Liberty won in the medium for-profit category, thanks to its efforts to create a healthy, high-performing work environment. 

The Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award recognizes employers who implement workplace practices, backed by psychological science, that advance employee health and well-being while increasing performance and productivity. 

“It is an honor for us to receive this award and to join past recipients that are long admired and respected,” said Jazmín Castro, human resources director at Liberty Puerto Rico. “The journey to promote employee health and well-being while supporting organizational performance, has not been an easy one. The key to our success has been our commitment to our people, caring about what they have to say and acting on it. We strongly believe that our employee experience impacts our customer experience and without a doubt our company’s growth is proof of that.”

Liberty implemented programs to foster employee involvement, health and safety, employee growth and development, work-life balance and employee recognition. These programs include Wise & Well with Liberty, a comprehensive wellness program dedicated to nutrition, health screenings, smoking cessation, fitness, mental health and community involvement. 

Liberty’s psychologically healthy workplace practices have reaped rewards for both the organization and its employees. The retention rate for new hires is 85 percent after one year, turnover is less than 10 percent and employee referrals jumped 20 percent, as staff encourage other high-performing individuals to join the company.

“Employees notice when an organization legitimately cares about their well-being and are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs, committed to the organization and motivated to do their best,” says David W. Ballard, PsyD, MBA, head of APA’s Psychologically Healthy Workplaces program and its Office of Applied Psychology, which hosts the annual awards. “Organizations like Liberty Puerto Rico recognize the importance of creating a work environment where employees and the organization can thrive.” 

Liberty received the APA Psychologically Healthy Workplace Honors in the fall of 2018, qualifying it for APA award consideration. The telecom company was among 23 companies, nonprofits and government agencies throughout the United States and Canada that implement workplace practices that encourage good organizational outcomes and employees’ own well-being. Out of that pool of 23 finalists, eight companies received the award. Liberty Puerto Rico was the only company in Puerto Rico recognized with this distinction. 

Liberty Puerto Rico received the same distinction locally through the Puerto Rico Psychological Association, which was awarded during the organization’s annual convention held in November 2018. Liberty was also the only local company to receive this honor last year.

The APA’s Psychologically Healthy Workplace Honors is an annual award program for employers in the United States and Canada.  Participating employers are evaluated on their efforts in employee involvement, work-life balance, employee growth and development, health and safety and employee recognition.

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About Liberty Puerto Rico:

Liberty Puerto Rico is a subsidiary of Liberty Latin America and has approximately 738,600 RGUs as of December 31, 2018 in 75 municipalities in the eastern, central, northern southern and western regions of Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.libertypr.com.  

About Liberty Latin America 

Liberty Latin America is a leading telecommunications company operating in over 20 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean under the consumer brands VTR, Flow, Liberty, Más Móvil, BTC and Cabletica. The communications and entertainment services that we offer to our residential and business customers in the region include digital video, broadband internet, telephony and mobile services. Our business products and services include enterprise-grade connectivity, data center, hosting and managed solutions, as well as information technology solutions with customers ranging from small and medium enterprises to international companies and governmental agencies. In addition, Liberty Latin America operates a sub-sea and terrestrial fiber optic cable network that connects over 40 markets in the region.

Liberty Latin America has three separate classes of common shares, which are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbols "LILA" (Class A) and "LILAK" (Class C), and on the OTC link under the symbol "LILAB" (Class B). For more information, please visit www.lla.com. 

About the American Psychological Association:

The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes more than 118,400 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to promote the advancement, communication, and application of psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improv

LIBERTY WINS SPEEDTEST AWARD FOR 2018 FASTEST FIXED NETWORK IN PUERTO RICO BY OOKLA FOR A SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

The company significantly increased its Speed Score from last year

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – April 15, 2019 – For the second year in a row, Liberty Puerto Rico has received the 2018 Speedtest Award™ as Puerto Rico’s Fastest Fixed Network. Liberty won the title with a Speed Score™ of 47.08, which is well above Liberty’s 29.98 Speed Score last year and that of other Internet Service Providers (ISPs) on the island. 

Liberty also achieved top download and upload speeds of 115.04 Mbps and 14.74 Mbps, respectively. The Speedtest Award is based on analysis by Ookla® of 2,184,055 tests taken with Speedtest® which were carried out by consumers in Puerto Rico during the last six months of 2018. 

“Winning Ookla’s Speedtest Award as the internet provider in Puerto Rico with the fastest fixed network for the second year in a row is a validation of all the hard work that we have carried out to upgrade our network in recent years, even before the hurricanes hit Puerto Rico,” said Naji Khoury, president and CEO of Liberty Puerto Rico. “After the hurricanes, we increased our efforts to optimize our broadband network so we could provide higher Internet speeds, capacity and consistency, and thus accommodate our customers’ growing demand for bandwidth. Receiving this distinction for a second time means we are headed in the right direction.”

Speedtest Award winners are determined using a Speed Score that incorporates a measure of each provider’s download and upload speeds to rank network speed performance. Because most of the data transferred over the internet involves downloading, 90 percent of the final Speed Score is attributed to download speed and the remaining 10 percent to upload speed. 

The Speed Score uses a modified trimean to demonstrate the download and upload speeds that are available across a provider’s network. Ookla takes speeds from the 10th percentile, 50th percentile (used as the median) and 90th percentile, then combines them in a weighted average using a 1:2:1 ratio, respectively. Ookla places more emphasis on the median because that is the speed most customers experience on a daily basis. 

“Customers’ demand for bandwidth today is increasing, as their use and the number of electronic devices grows, be it for entertainment or work purposes,” comments Waldo Hooker, vice president of Customer Experience of Liberty Puerto Rico. “To deliver innovative products and services, we need to provide our customers with a fast and reliable Internet connection. We are proud of achieving this recognition for a second year in row and we will continue working hard to offer our customers the most reliable Internet service in our market.” 

“At Ookla, we are pleased to recognize Liberty Puerto Rico as the ISP with the Fastest Fixed Network in Puerto Rico for a second year in a row,” said Jamie Steven, executive vice president of operations at Ookla. “Liberty not only showed an outstanding ISP performance during Q3-Q4 2018, but also surpassed their Speed Score from the prior year by a significant margin.” 

Speedtest by Ookla users perform a Speedtest that measures the performance of both fixed and mobile operators, then the results are analyzed and reported by Ookla. The awards are only issued to top providers in the country. To see more on the Speedtest Award results for Puerto Rico, go to https://www.speedtest.net/awards/puerto_rico/2018?award_type=isp&time_period=q3-q4. 

Speedtest® by Ookla is considered the dominant global leader in internet performance, testing and metrics. The technology enables it to provide accurate and unbiased internet performance readings, which empowers consumers worldwide to check and troubleshoot their Internet speeds. Ookla is the global leader in fixed broadband and mobile network internet speed testing applications, data and analysis. More than 10 million tests are initiated each day across all Speedtest platforms, with over 23 billion completed to date. This gives Ookla the most comprehensive analytics on worldwide internet performance and accessibility. 

###

About Liberty Puerto Rico:

Liberty Puerto Rico is a subsidiary of Liberty Latin America and has approximately 738,600 RGUs as of December 31, 2018 in 75 municipalities in the eastern, central, northern southern and western regions of Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.libertypr.com.  

About Liberty Latin America 

Liberty Latin America is a leading telecommunications company operating in over 20 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean under the consumer brands VTR, Flow, Liberty, Más Móvil, BTC and Cabletica. The communications and entertainment services that we offer to our residential and business customers in the region include digital video, broadband internet, telephony and mobile services. Our business products and services include enterprise-grade connectivity, data center, hosting and managed solutions, as well as information technology solutions with customers ranging from small and medium enterprises to international companies and governmental agencies. In addition, Liberty Latin America operates a sub-sea and terrestrial fiber optic cable network that connects over 40 markets in the region.

Liberty Latin America has three separate classes of common shares, which are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbols "LILA" (Class A) and "LILAK" (Class C), and on the OTC link under the symbol "LILAB" (Class B). For more information, please visit www.lla.com.

Eastlink continues mobile expansion into Grande Prairie

Eastlink continues mobile expansion into Grande Prairie
Investment of $4 million over the last year into several more Canadian communities

• Consumers can expect:

• great value for money with simple pricing/plans

• ease of switching through contract buyout

• Worry-Free Data eliminating unexpected data overages

• Canada-wide coverage included in every plan at no additional charge

Grande Prairie, AB – Eastlink continues to bring more choice and competition to more Canadians with the expansion of its mobile service in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

“We are pleased to confirm the further expansion of our mobile service into more and more Canadian communities,” says Deborah Shaffner, CEO.  “Our goal continues to be to deliver the best possible experience for our customers by investing in the latest network technology, providing great value for money, and delivering customer service that exceeds our customers’ expectations.”

The company’s “customer-first” approach is what Eastlink says makes it different from its competitors.

“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished so far having launched and expanded our mobile service into six provinces over the last six years,” continues, Ms. Shaffner. “Customers tell us what they want and we work really hard to listen and deliver more of what is important to them; that includes simple plans, better value, fast network speed, extensive and reliable coverage, and a better overall customer service.”

Eastlink has invested more than $4 million in the past year ($1M in Grande Prairie alone) to expand its mobile network to several more Canadian communities including New Waterford, Baddeck, Tatamagouche in Nova Scotia, Goulds, Torbay, and Bell Island in Newfoundland/Labrador, Saint John, Fredericton, Shediac and Sussex in New Brunswick, and Chelmsford, Val Therese and Kirkland Lake in Ontario.

TDS brings you Netflix, YouTube on your CatchTV DVR

TDS customers can now launch the Netflix and YouTube app right from their CatchTV DVR.

CatchTV customers will no longer need to change inputs when deciding to watch Netflix and YouTube. It’s now easier than ever to watch all your favorite shows and videos in one easy click.

All customers need is a Netflix or YouTube account and a high-speed internet connection. Here are three ways you can access the apps from your CatchTV DVR:

1. Press the Menu button

2. Scroll left/right in the Main Menu

3. From the Apps Folder, you will find the Netflix and YouTube apps

Simply turn on your TV, click a button on your remote and log in to Netflix or YouTube. The Apps are already up on your CatchTV DVR.

CatchTV offer
Not a CatchTV customer? For a limited time, TDS is offering new CatchTV customers free rental of the Gateway for 12 months – risk free* and at a savings of $156 in rental costs. If you love TV, you’ll love CatchTV.

With CatchTV, customers enjoy the freedom of watching their favorite shows anytime, on any TV in their home, with a powerful DVR Gateway system. CatchTV allows customers to record up to six channels at the same time. Plus, CatchTV has an enormous amount of storage space so customers can build a library of their favorite shows.

The Gateway hosts all your TDS video services, and acts as the hub of your whole-home DVR system. Small, easy-to-hide media players connect the other TVs in your home for an additional $6 a month.

To order, call 855/696-8368 for pricing details or sign up at http://hellotds.com/catch-tv.

Disclaimer CatchTV: Functionality requires a Gateway set-top-box, a media player for each additional TV, and an advanced cable modem. Promotional offer includes the rental of the Gateway for the first 12 months (normally $13/mo.) Media players for additional TVs are $6 each. Advanced cable modem costs $10 per month. $4.99 DVR Service fee applies. Standard fees apply at the end of the promotional period. Free Installation includes installation of the advanced cable modem, Gateway and up to 5 media players. In a case of non-standard wiring, installation fees may apply if determined by the technician at the time of installation. CatchTV requires customer to subscribe to qualifying Internet and TV service. CatchTV is not available in all areas. Other conditions may apply.

*After 12 months, you will be charged $13/mo. unless you call to cancel.

CenturyLink Launching New Global Mesh Delivery Platform for Bandwidth-Heavy Streamed Content

Streamroot's peer-to-peer video delivery technology deployed within CenturyLink's CDN

MONROE, La., April 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- By recent estimates, the number of global OTT subscribers is 375 million and growing. Given the demands on OTT digital platforms, CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) announced a global agreement with Streamroot, a provider of peer-to-peer networking solutions that can be used in combination with CenturyLink's content delivery network (CDN). Called CenturyLink© CDN Mesh Delivery, the platform leverages a software-based mesh network to easily manage peak traffic loads.

To learn more about how CenturyLink's CDN Mesh Delivery combines the benefits of a global content delivery network with the resilience and scalability of a distributed mesh architecture, visit www.centurylink.com/cdn.

"The popularity of live events and the propensity for popular content to attract massive internet audiences on day and date releases is necessitating the adoption of new technologies to address peak traffic demands for OTT platforms, broadcasters and gaming companies," said Bill Wohnoutka, vice president of global internet and content delivery services. "By integrating Streamroot's peer-to-peer assisted CDN technology into our media delivery platform, CenturyLink can offer customers an advantage in their drive to deliver the highest quality user experiences globally."

CenturyLink's new mesh delivery platform intelligently sources video content from both a CDN and a mesh network of devices watching the same stream. This allows for rapid scalability and resiliency, even within hard-to-reach markets.

"Streamroot's work with CenturyLink demonstrates once more that the future of OTT streaming belongs to hybrid delivery," said Pierre-Louis Théron, CEO and Co-Founder of Streamroot. "The combination of CenturyLink's world-class CDN with Streamroot's proven peer-to-peer technology provides broadcasters a robust and scalable OTT delivery solution, and ushers in a new standard for large-scale video delivery to audiences around the world."

Key Facts

• CenturyLink's CDN Mesh Delivery is ideal for:

  • OTT platforms looking to scale delivery of popular series and catch-up TV in a cost-effective manner.

  • Streaming linear channels, such as sports championships and high-profile live events, which are expected to provide uninterrupted, high-quality service to anyone, anywhere.

  • Broadcasters and content producers that need to be prepared for unpredictable traffic spikes and rapid platform growth without further infrastructure investment.

• CenturyLink's CDN:

  • Delivered ~42.8 exabytes of data globally in 2018.

  • Answered 74.4 trillion requests globally for content like videos or photos in 2018.

  • Saw global year-over-year peak traffic growth (from 15.75 Tbps in 2017 to 27.98 Tbps in 2018).

  • Provides 40+ Tbps of total edge capacity across 6 continents in more than 100 major cities.

  • Offers 60 petabytes of storage.

• Streamroot is a leading provider of innovative video delivery technologies for media groups, content publishers and enterprise customers. The company delivered more than 7 billion video sessions globally in 2018, and manages an average of more than 300 million peer connections per day.

Additional Resources

• For more information about CenturyLink's CDN offerings, visit: www.centurylink.com/cdn.

About CenturyLink
CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL) is the second largest U.S. communications provider to global enterprise customers. With customers in more than 60 countries and an intense focus on the customer experience, CenturyLink strives to be the world's best networking company by solving customers' increased demand for reliable and secure connections. The company also serves as its customers' trusted partner, helping them manage increased network and IT complexity and providing managed network and cyber security solutions that help protect their business.

Media Contacts:

CenturyLink:
Francie Dudrey
+1 720 226 4242
Francie.dudrey@centurylink.com

Streamroot:
Erica Beavers
+33 6 42 00 35 84
erica@streamroot.io

Ajax Systems attracts $10 million investment from Horizon Capital’s new fund EEGF III

Kyiv, Ukraine: Horizon Capital, a U.S. private-equity firm investing in high growth export-oriented and domestic companies in Ukraine and the near region, and Ajax Systems, a leading producer of smart security systems in Ukraine, have announced that Horizon Capital’s latest $200 million fund, Emerging Europe Growth Fund III, LP (EEGF III) has acquired a minority stake in the Company for $10 million.  EEGF III’s investment was made through the purchase of a portion of the shares held by SMRK, an early-stage financial investor in Ajax Systems, and a portion of the shares held by Company management.

Founded in 2011, Ajax Systems is one of Europe’s leading professional security systems manufacturers.  Today, the Company’s products are sold in over 75 countries world-wide.  Ajax Systems enjoys an impressive track record of revenue growth and profitability and is well-positioned for continued expansion given the smart home security market is projected to grow by 25% per year to $24 billion by 2022.

“We are honoured to partner with Alexander Konotopskyi, Ajax Systems’ talented founder and their impressive management team, and look forward to contributing to the Company’s continued success in the years ahead.  We were attracted to this Company by Alexander’s vision, the stellar results achieved, their innovative product offering and success in serving customers both in Ukraine and in international markets”, said Lenna Koszarny, Horizon Capital’s Founding Partner and CEO. “This deal fits very well into our investment thesis of backing Ukraine’s new generation of visionary entrepreneurs.  These are young men and women who dare to be bold, who take an idea and put their energy, skills and passion behind it, who leverage the talents of top-rate professionals within Ukraine and develop world-class products that compete on a global stage. Horizon Capital looks forward to supporting Ajax Systems in its pursuit of excellence and quest to become a true global champion.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Horizon Capital as our partner in Ajax Systems.  Our Company has been successful in launching our products in international markets and we are confident that through our collaboration with a reputable and experienced fund as Horizon Capital, we will reach even greater heights in the future.  The partnership with Horizon Capital is truly an important milestone in achieving our aspirational targets and ambitious growth plans,” – commented Alexander Konotopskyi, Founder & CEO of Ajax Systems. “Our results achieved to date would not have been possible without the tremendous commitment to quality, high performance levels, hard work and sense of mission of our strong team, as well as the early backing of SMRK.  Ajax Systems has been growing at a tremendous rate with over 70% of revenue coming from export sales to over 75 countries, predominantly the European Union. We are blessed that the foundation of our team are world-class Ukrainian engineers and developers who take enormous pride in their work and the products that we develop.  We are committed to continue our international expansion for the benefit of our employees, customers and shareholders. We look forward to expanding Ajax Systems’ position as a global leader in the security market.”

“This deal sends a strong and clear message about investment opportunities in Ukraine, both for venture capital and private equity investors. We expect the Ajax Systems example to encourage more Ukrainian entrepreneurs to found start-ups, in order to achieve even greater success”, said Andriy Dovzhenko, the Managing Partner of SMRK.

Ajax is the most awarded wireless security system in Europe, recognized for its revolutionary design and high-quality standards with the titles of “Intruder Alarm of the Year” (Security & Fire Excellence Awards), “Best Innovative Product” (MIPS Securika), silver medal for Security & Firefighting Risks (Expoprotection), and finalist at Intersec. The Company’s entire production and R&D team are based in Ukraine.

Ajax Systems (https://ajax.systems)  is a fast-growing home security equipment company with 100% of its production in Ukraine. It was founded in 2011 by Alexander Konotopsky. Today, the Company employs over 500 people, nearly 20% focused on R&D. Products are developed and manufactured in Ukraine. Ajax Systems wireless security systems are on the cutting edge of technology and science, with 5 patents to date.  Ajax Systems product line includes over 20 devices for protection of premises and adjacent territories, fire safety, flood protection, and offering home automation and integration of video surveillance. 

Horizon Capital (www.horizoncapital.com.ua) is the leading private equity firm in Ukraine, backed by over 40 institutional investors in four funds.  Led by Founding Partners Lenna Koszarny and Jeffrey C. Neal and Senior Partner Denis Tafintsev, Horizon manages over $850 million in assets from investors with a capital base exceeding $350 billion.  Its Ukraine-focused funds have invested over $650 million in 140 companies employing over 46,000 people in Ukraine and the near region. Horizon Capital is a value-added investor, backing visionary entrepreneurs leading transformational businesses in Ukraine and the near region.

SMRK (https://smrk.vc) is a Ukrainian venture fund founded by Andriy Dovzhenko and Oleksandr Kosovan in 2013. The Fund is focused on both seed and pre-seed stages investing from USD $100,000 and up to $1 million per investment. The Fund has concluded 12 deals to date and continues to invest into promising start-ups founded in Ukraine. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Tetyana Bega

Investor Relations Director

Horizon Capital

Tel. +380 44 490 5580

e-mail: tbega@horizoncapital.com.ua

Neutral Connect Networks Acquires Connectivity Wireless Solutions Extending its Leadership in the Growing Neutral-Host Infrastructure and Services Business

BOSTON, March 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Neutral Connect Networks announced today the acquisition of Connectivity Wireless Solutions by M/C Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm which is the leading equity investment firm for Neutral Connect Networks. M/C Partners acquired Connectivity Wireless Solutions and its subsidiaries, including Simplifi DAS Holdings, with a plan to consolidate the businesses to accelerate growth in the neutral-host infrastructure and in-building wireless services business.

“These businesses are natural complements to one another and create a combined entity with enhanced scale, industry-leading technical expertise, and the operational capacity to support the growth in this market,” said Brian Clark, Managing Partner at M/C Partners. “M/C Partners has a long and successful heritage in the wireless industry, and we believe the neutral-host infrastructure and in-building wireless business represents a significant growth opportunity, particularly with the planned deployments of CBRS, private LTE networks and the transition to 5G, which we are keen to participate in.”

As part of the acquisition, Stephen Bye has assumed the role of CEO of the newly combined companies. The senior leadership teams of Neutral Connect Networks and Connectivity Wireless Solutions will report directly to Bye, a wireless industry veteran with more than 27 years of experience working for wireless, cable and wireline service providers in the U.S. and abroad.

Over the coming weeks, the companies will reorganize to improve operating efficiencies to create a world-class organization. “Our team members represent the most important capability we have,” Bye said, “and we will work together to ensure we operate as efficiently as possible to deliver best-in-class solutions and services to our customers, supporting managed Wi-Fi, CBRS, private LTE networks, and the evolution to 5G and beyond.”

During the transition, the companies will remain focused on serving customers, which is their highest priority. “The combination of Neutral Connect Networks and Connectivity Wireless Solutions will enable us to pursue an acceleration of growth in the neutral-host infrastructure and in-building wireless services business, supporting wireless service providers, cable companies, venue owners, property developers and enterprise customers,” said Bye. “Our core strengths of integrity, reliability, technology leadership, operational excellence and time-to-market allow us to deliver enhanced value to all of our customers and their end customers.”

About Neutral Connect Networks: A Leading Provider of Neutral-Host Wireless Networks
Founded in 2016 and based in Boynton Beach, Florida, Neutral Connect Networks is a leading provider of wireless communications networks (including in-building wireless, managed Wi-Fi and small cells) used by major service providers to improve the quality of coverage with increased throughput and capacity in buildings, at sports and entertainment venues, in parks, transportation hubs, and business shopping districts around the U.S. For more information, visit www.neutralconnect.com.

About Connectivity Wireless Solutions: A Leading In-Building Wireless Systems Integrator
Connectivity Wireless Solutions, based in Duluth, Georgia, was founded in 2008 by Greg Jacobs, Blake Maffei and Clayt Mason with a mission to simplify the complexities of designing, installing, and maintaining in-building wireless distributed antenna systems. Over the course of 10 years, Connectivity Wireless Solutions has successfully engineered and deployed more than 2,700 in-building wireless networks which provide more than 500 million square feet of coverage across the U.S. The company remains committed to its original vision: to make world-class, high-quality in-building wireless coverage a more achievable reality for its customers. As part of the leadership transition, Greg Jacobs will join the board of the consolidated company. For more information, visit www.connectivitywireless.com.   

About M/C Partners
Based in Boston, Massachusetts, M/C Partners is a private equity firm focused exclusively on the communications, information technology services and media sectors. The firm has invested over $2.2 billion of capital into nearly 100 companies, generally investing in companies with enterprise values of $25 million to $250 million. Related current and prior investments include Cavalier Telephone, Ensono, Everstream, Fusepoint, Denovo, ICG Communications, Involta, Lightower, MetroPCS, NuVox, Thrive Networks and Zayo Group. The firm has strong institutional backing from the nation's leading pension funds and endowments as well as a long track record of success. For more information, visit www.mcpartners.com.

MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT:
Brittanie Boyd
1-888-591-9418 x 124
bboyd@connectivitywireless.com