Windstream has completed service upgrades in approximately 600 markets across 12 states to bring faster Internet speeds of up to 100 Mbps to residential and small business customers. The upgrades come on the heels of Windstream’s September announcement of faster speed availability in 250 initial markets. The company also announced Project Excel, a $250 million program intended to accelerate the company’s plans to further upgrade broadband speeds, allow for future network capacity needs, and improve reliability. This program is funded entirely by proceeds from the sale of Windstream’s data center business.

Royal Philips announced that the City of Los Angeles (LA) will be the first city in the world to deploy 100 Philips SmartPoles – connected LED street lighting that includes fully integrated 4G LTE wireless telecommunications technology by Ericsson. The collaboration between Philips and Ericsson delivers on the latest Internet of Things (IoT) innovation and provides a double benefit to LA citizens: high quality, public lighting that is energy efficient as well as improved network performance in dense urban areas.

ADTRAN, Inc. announced that EATEL has joined the company’s Enabling Communities, Connecting Lives program. EATEL is leveraging ADTRAN’s Gigabit broadband platform for its new GIG Internet service offering. Residents in Louisiana’s Ascension and Livingston Parishes can now experience 1 Gigabit Ethernet Internet connections.

Alarm.com and Securitas AB announced a strategic partnership to launch Alarm.com’s cloud-based smart home security and automation services in Europe. Supported by the Securitas brand, Alarm.com’s smart home solutions will be offered through partner sales channels. The two companies are planning a phased European launch during 2016. Alarm.com’s services and mobile app cover security, energy, video and automation devices. The company’s services are sold exclusively through authorized partners.