A few decades back, it would take days to get messages across cities, and businesses relied solely on in-person trade. The Internet has revolutionized communication and trade by making it digital. Now, a small business can ship products to different countries and you can talk to your friend present on a different continent with the utmost ease. 

From huge companies to small businesses and individual households, a reliable internet connection is necessary as it factors into all aspects of life from work to entertainment. It would not be wrong to say that a stable internet connection has become a utility rather than an accessory as it fuels the hyper-connected modern world we live in. For this reason, we want nothing less than the best home internet provider. And finding the one that perfectly suits the needs of your household requires extensive research, which is a daunting task—given the variety of options available. 

If you have been searching the market for a reliable internet service provider, chances are that you have come across Windstream Communications. With Windstream internet, you can enjoy good internet speeds and a reliable connection. It is an option worth exploring if you are tired of bad speeds and poor service from your existing provider. 

This guide will take you through the Windstream internet plans, pricing, features, advantages, and more. We hope to give you all the information needed to make an informed decision. 

About Windstream

Windstream Communication was formed in 2006 after Valor communications and Alltel phone service merged. It offers high-speed broadband internet, voice calling, and internet security services for residential and business consumption. Headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, Windstream provides internet coverage in 18 states and 150 residential communities under the brand name Kinetic.

Windstream offers a variety of internet connection types, including Dial-up, cable, DSL, and Fiber. However, it is primarily a hybrid fiber-DSL connection provider, with 30% of its network providing a pure fiber connection. For residential customers, Windstream offers Kinetic high-speed internet via a hybrid network supported by a fiber backbone, and also Kinetic fiber internet via FTTH network in select locations. 

Brief Overview: Internet Connection Types

If all the technical terminologies of the different connection types are making your head spin, here is a brief overview of what these mean and how they differ from one another. 

Satellite Internet

A satellite connection is mainly available in rural areas where a broadband connection is not accessible. It accesses the internet via geostationary satellites orbiting the earth. A satellite connection offers very limited internet speed however, in rural some areas it is the only option. Bad weather conditions can affect its performance. 

Cable Internet

Cable internet is the most widely accessible internet connection. It is available to 90% of the US population. It uses the same coaxial cables to transmit the internet that are used to transmit cable television. The prices vary vastly according to area and provider. A cable connection often comes bundled with other home services like cable TV, home phone, and home security. This type of connection is prone to network congestion that leads to slow speeds in peak usage times.

DSL Internet

DSL or Digital subscriber Line uses a telephone line to provide internet. Unlike the old Dial-up internet connections, a DSL connection allows you to use the phone and the internet simultaneously. It is a more affordable alternative to satellite and provides better speeds than a satellite connection. It is great for rural areas where cable and fiber connections are not widely available. 

Fiber Internet 

It is undoubtedly the best internet connection you can get your hands on. It transmits data as light pulses across glass cables called optical fibers. It offers symmetric speeds, lightning-fast internet, and ensures low latency. However, it is not available widely in the US.

Windstream uses a combination of DSL and fiber optic technology to provide a hybrid connection. If you have to pick between a satellite connection and Kinetic, we recommend going for the latter. Windstream kinetic is one of the best internet connections you can get, as it offers better speeds than fixed wireless, satellite, and some other DSL providers. 

Kinetic Internet by Windstream 

Kinetic by Windstream offers high-speed internet in 18 states. In the ever-evolving world of broadband technology, Windstream has kept up by upgrading its existing network infrastructure and offering fiber services to more locations. Due to its hybrid DSL connection, Windstream offers excellent download speeds and low latency. 

If you are a gamer concerned with your gaming stats, you would not want your internet to lag at the wrong moment as it could lead you to lose a game or worse, an important tournament with big ping! Windstream realizes the importance of a smooth connection and offers quality internet for mobile and PC gaming to prevent a choppy connection. With fast and reliable speeds, you can download heavy files in a breeze, which makes working or learning from home convenient for you. Furthermore, streaming HD videos has not been better. Windstream understands how important rewinding and relaxing are for you. It ensures a buffer-free streaming experience so you can enjoy your weekend in the best way. 

Plans and Pricing 

If you live in a state and area where Kinetic high-speed internet is accessible, you can get better internet speeds than fixed wireless, satellite, and most DSL providers. Windstream offers three different speed tiers. Of these, the most basic package offers download speeds of up to 100 Mbps. This is the most affordable kinetic internet plan you can get your hands on and is great for limited internet usage like basic video streaming, online shopping, browsing social media, and so on. 

Next up, the Kinetic Fiber internet offers symmetrical upload and download speeds—ideal for streaming HD videos, downloading and sharing heavy files, and video conferencing with ease. You can sign up for the 500 Mbps speed tier, which is great for mid to large-sized families. Or go for the gig plan, which offers download speeds of up to 1GB. This is great for an ultra-connected modern home with many devices and heavy internet users. 

Here, you can take a look at these internet plans for yourself, and select the one that fits your internet needs the best. Keep in mind that Windstream service type and speeds may vary depending on your exact location. 

Windstream Kinetic Features That Stand Out

No Annual Contracts

It can be incredibly frustrating to be stuck with a bad internet plan. With some providers, canceling an internet plan can be a hassle. There are hidden contract terms and fees that end up costing you a ton of money. Not with Windstream! You do not have to commit to any annual contracts. You can simply pay on monthly basis with ease. 

No Data Cap

Game, stream and download all the heavy files you need to. There are no data caps that you have to worry about. All Windstream kinetic plans offer unlimited internet, which is quite generous. 

No Throttling

You can enjoy consistent speeds and a reliable connection as Windstream kinetic has a fiber-based backbone. Data throttling will no longer be an issue! 

30-day Guarantee

Take Windstream Kinetic out for a test run and if you do not like it get your money back! There are no hidden costs or fees you have to worry about. However, if you rent equipment from Windstream you will be required to return it upon service cancellation. 

Bundle Deals

With super-fast speeds, you can enjoy nationwide calling too by bundling kinetic internet and phone services together. Windstream allows customers to pair the internet with phone service for an additional $20 only. With Windstream phone service, you get unlimited nationwide calling and spam call alerts. This way prank calls and credit card companies cannot waste your time. Some other exciting calling features include call waiting and caller ID. 

Service Terms 

Before you rush to invest in a Windstream kinetic plan, you should know a few things. The prices mentioned in these plans are promotional prices aimed at new customers. These are available only for the first 12 months of purchase. After one year, your monthly internet cost will go up. 

In addition, if you rent equipment from Windstream, you will have to pay an additional rental fee. However, this additional price can be completely avoided if you have your own equipment compatible with the provider. Furthermore, if you are getting the DSL plan, there is a chance you get speeds lower than 100 Mbps. It depends upon where you live. You can check the network and speed availability by calling Windstream customer service at 1-877-278-8253. 

If you want to protect your devices against potential cybersecurity threats, you will need to invest in Kinetic Secure plans. These are affordable plans that you can add to your Kinetic internet plan. The price of three internet security and tech support options ranges from $9.99/mo. to $14.99/mo. 

Here, take a look and select the one that works best for your needs and budget:

Is Windstream Available in Your Area?

Even though Windstream covers nearly 1/3^rd of the US states, it is only accessible to 2.78% of US citizens. Even with a large coverage area, its services remain limited to a few communities. 

That said, in terms of broadband availability, Windstream beats all major DSL providers. According to the FCC, it provides speeds greater than 25 Mbps to more than 86% of its population. Furthermore, it provides speeds up to 100 Mbps to more than 65% of its consumer base. 

Here is a list of states where Windstream is available:

Bottom Line

Now that you know all the features and benefits of Windstream kinetic, we suggest you compare it to your current provider’s performance. If you find that you will benefit more by switching to Windstream, sign up for Kinetic by Windstream today to enjoy a better internet experience.