Windstream Communications New Brand Name for Spinoff of Alltel's Landline Business, Merger with VALOR Communications

Jeff Gardner, president and CEO of Windstream Corporation,announced the name and logo to employees this morning during a Webcast.

"Windstream Communications builds on our 60-year history as areliable customer ally with fresh, innovative thinking and technologyto deliver the information, entertainment and personal connectionsthat customers need to thrive in today's global economy," Gardnersaid.

"This is an important day for the wireline business because nowemployees have a name to rally around and they can begin building adistinct identity for Windstream," said Scott Ford, president and CEOof Alltel. "Windstream has the management strength, the workforcetalent and the capital structure to be successful in the rural telecomspace."

On Dec. 9, Alltel announced that it would spin off its landlinebusiness and merge it with VALOR Communications Group. The combinationwill create a major voice, broadband and entertainment servicescompany focused on the rural U.S. The transaction will reposition theremaining Alltel as a pure-play wireless service provider with roughly11 million customers in 34 states.

Windstream Communications' corporate headquarters will be locatedin Little Rock. The new company expects to trade on the New York StockExchange under the ticker symbol "WIN" upon close of the spinoff fromAlltel and merger with VALOR, which is expected to be completed bymid-year.

"Windstream will have a variety of service offerings includingvoice, broadband and satellite TV, designed to help us 'win' in themarketplace," said Keith Paglusch, chief operating officer of the newcompany.

Company officials partnered with Lippincott Mercer of New York todevelop the new name and logo. In addition, the company has selectedThe Concept Farm of New York as its advertising agency. For moreinformation, visit www.windstreamcomm.com.

About Windstream Communications

After separating from Alltel and merging with VALOR CommunicationsGroup, Windstream Communications will provide voice, broadband andentertainment services to customers in 16 states. The company willhave approximately 3.4 million access lines and about $3.4 billion inannual revenues.