$39.99/mo
for 12 mos.*
Rural areas don’t get fast wired broadband options due to geographic limitations making it difficult to develop a proper infrastructure. Hence, many towns have to rely on lackluster options, like expensive and unreliable satellite internet or slow and outdated DSL services.
One provider stands out among all the options because it offers high-speed internet to customers living in rural areas. Windstream is one of the best rural internet providers, known for its fiber-backed network, Kinetic. This Kinetic Internet review lays down all the details, from pricing to speeds, to help you understand what you can expect from this internet service.
Kinetic by Windstream is a brand name used by Windstream Communications, a telecommunications company based in the United States, to deliver internet, television, and home phone services. The company operates in 18 states and also offers business solutions such as data, cloud, and managed services.
Windstream provides a range of affordable and high-speed internet plans for both residential and business customers out in the country. The company relies on a hybrid DSL network backed by fiber technology to deliver significantly faster speeds than traditional DSL internet providers. Windstream is continuously investing in expanding its network coverage and capacity to meet the growing demands of its customers. Hence, it also has a growing fiber network with speeds up to 2000 Mbps.
The following pros and cons can help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of the Kinetic Internet.
Kinetic employs a different strategy from other providers. Its quoted plans have various speed tiers, varying with location. Your address determines the precise speed you’ll receive, but you can anticipate a download speed within the range of the selected Kinetic internet plan. Windstream Internet plans are much more affordable than other options in the market. However, the advertised prices are introductory; they increase after a year of subscription.
Windstream mainly offers DSL internet plans to most customers, but as you get closer to urban areas, you can also access its fiber internet plans. All Kinetic Internet plans are contract-free and have unlimited data. Additionally, they also come with a few perks. For example, as of now, the company is offering 1 $100 Kinetic Visa Prepaid Card to new customers.
Here are some common Kinetic Internet plans, but since the speeds can vary by location, it is best to check the availability at your address.
| Plan | Starting Price | Speed | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinetic Internet | $39.99/mo. | 100 Mbps | DSL |
| Kinetic Fiber | $39.99/mo. | 500 Mbps | Fiber |
| Kinetic Fiber Gig | $69.99/mo. | 1000 Mbps | Fiber |
As mentioned before, Windstream entices potential customers with promotional rates. The promotional period is limited and lasts for a year, after which the company increases the plans’ prices. However, these price hikes vary with location, so you can look at the following table to get an idea about the expected range.
| Plan | Regular Price (after 12 months) |
|---|---|
| Kinetic Internet | $54.99 – $59.99/mo. |
| Kinetic Fiber | $54.99 – $84.99/mo. |
| Kinetic Fiber Gig | $54.99 – $84.99/mo. |
In addition to the base price, Kinetic Internet has a few additional charges for certain services or features. Some examples of extra fees that may be associated with Kinetic plans include the following.
A modem and router are necessary for accessing the internet service, which is why many providers offer these devices with their internet plans. As a result, a gateway—a modem and router combination—is included with all Kinetic Internet plans to provide optimal performance and robust coverage. The company maintains this gateway for an $8.99 monthly rental fee. However, you can avoid this fee by purchasing your own compatible equipment.
| Kinetic Internet Equipment | |
|---|---|
| Kinetic Gateway | $8.99/mo. |
The installation for Windstream Internet service typically involves a technician visiting your house to set up your equipment for $35. A phone jack installation further costs $65. The duration of this process can vary depending on some factors, such as the internet type and more. But you can opt for self-installation if it is available at your address to avoid this fee.
| Windstream Internet Installation | |
|---|---|
| Self-installation | Free |
| Professional Installation | $35.00 |
| Jack Installation | $65.00 |
Windstream charges a one-time $60 for activating your service. Keep in mind that this activation fee is a separate cost from professional installation.
| Windstream Service Activation Fee | |
|---|---|
| One-time activation | $60.00 |
Windstream guarantees a safe online experience for its customers by providing Kinetic Secure for $14.99 with all internet plans. Kinetic Secure provides enhanced internet security with advanced features like parental controls, device management, on-the-go internet protection, and more. It protects your data and online presence by blocking malicious viruses.
| Windstream Internet Security Fee | |
|---|---|
| Kinetic Secure | $14.99/mo. |
Kinetic Internet speeds can vary with location and range from 12 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Since the provider offers two types of internet services, fiber, and DSL, its upload speeds depend on which internet type is available in your area.
The best thing about Kinetic Internet is that its DSL service is significantly faster than other options, providing 100 Mbps or higher speeds to more than 65% of customers, according to FCC. As a result, most Kinetic customers can do various activities, including streaming, downloading, and more.
Its fiber internet, on the other hand, gives you more bandwidth allowing you to enjoy the latest technologies and data-heavy activities like 4K streaming, virtual reality, and home automation systems.
We have provided basic information about what activities you can perform with common Kinetic Internet plans. But for more specific details about the available speeds in your area, you can check Windstream’s website or contact Windstream customer service for more information.
| Plans | Suitable For | Supports |
| Kinetic Internet 100 | Basic streaming | Up to 4 device |
| Online shopping | ||
| Social Media | ||
| Kinetic Fiber 500 | HD streaming | Up to 10 devices |
| Video conferencing | ||
| Online gaming | ||
| Kinetic Fiber Gig | Advanced gaming without interruptions | More than 15 devices |
| 4K streaming | ||
| Professional live streaming |
Data limits are a painful area for rural communities as satellite internet is sometimes their only option for connectivity, which is notorious for enforcing data caps. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about data limits with this Internet provider, as all Kinetic Internet plans, whether DSL or fiber, give you unlimited data. Hence, you can avoid unexpected data overage charges ad use the internet to your heart’s content with several family members.
Another positive of this provider is that it offers contract-free internet plans, giving you the freedom to switch or upgrade the internet plan without putting a dent in your account. Hence, Kinetic is a perfect option for people who fear long-term commitments.
Kinetic by Windstream may have a large coverage area, spanning 18 states, but according to FCC’s data, its availability is restricted to less than 3% of the US population. This is mainly because it only focuses on the rural and suburban population of these states, covering 150 communities and providing a higher speed internet.
While Kinetic Internet is available in the following states, its coverage is exceptionally high in Georgia, Kentucky, and Iowa.
| Alabama | Nebraska |
| Arkansas | New Mexico |
| Florida | New York |
| Georgia | North Carolina |
| Iowa | Ohio |
| Kentucky | Oklahoma |
| Minnesota | Pennsylvania |
| Mississippi | South Carolina |
| Missouri | Texas |
Generally, customer satisfaction depends on various factors, such as reliability, internet speed, the availability of customer support, and the value of the service in comparison to the cost. Although Windstream’s customer service may not exceed the industry standards, it is encouraging to see that its customer satisfaction scores are gradually improving.
From scoring 61 to 62 out of 100 in the American Customer Satisfaction Index report to getting a slight boost in J.D. Power’s Self Study, Windstream is one of the few internet service providers that has progressed over the past several years. There is no doubt that below-average customer ratings are a primary concern for the company, but it is also understandable that the DSL network cannot please everyone, especially in this age. Unfortunately, more than 80% of Kinetic’s customer base relies on this connection.
| ACSI Index | Kinetic Internet | Industry Average |
| 2022 | 62 | 64 |
| 2021 | 61 | 65 |
If multiple internet service providers are available in your neighborhood, you may want to perform a comparative analysis to see which one suits your home internet requirements the most. While Kinetic’s DSL internet is decent compared to traditional DSL and satellite internet options, fiber, and cable internet connections are much better. On the other hand, very few providers can compete with its fiber internet in terms of performance.
So, if you can only access Kinetic’s DSL internet in your area and you have the choice of other wired internet services, then it is preferable to pick the latter to get more reliable connectivity with significantly faster internet speeds. Here is a brief comparison between Kinetic Internet and some of the top internet providers in America.
| Top Internet Providers | Starting Price | Max Speed | Type |
| Windstream | $39.99 | 2000 Mbps | DSL, Fiber |
| Frontier | $49.99 | 2000 Mbps | DSL, Fiber |
| Spectrum | $49.99 | 1000 Mbps | Cable |
| AT&T | $55.00 | 5000 Mbps | IPBB, Fiber |
| EarthLink | $54.95 | 5000 Mbps | DSL, Fiber |
Kinetic Internet is an excellent option for remote communities whose only other choice is satellite internet. In addition to providing inexpensive internet plans, the company offers far faster internet connections and friendlier policies like unlimited usage and no yearly commitments. On the other hand, their fiber network delivers even better service with 99% reliability and faster internet speeds. This Kinetic Internet review includes all the crucial details, but since the provider’s speeds and availability vary more widely than other internet options, it is better to check Windstream’s website for more specific information.
If there are no issues with your equipment and you are getting the promised internet speeds but could do more with a faster connection, you can speed up your Windstream internet by upgrading to a faster speed tier. However, make sure to check the availability on Windstream’s website.
Windstream is a mid-tier internet provider that delivers internet service with introductory rates ranging from $39.99 to $69.99/mo.
Kinetic by Windstream offers two types of internet services; fiber and DSL. Its DSL network is different from other traditional connections as it is backed with fiber technology. Hence, it delivers significantly faster internet speeds.
Since all Kinetic Internet plans come with promotional rates, they are hiked by $15 to $20 after a year of subscription.
The installation process for Windstream Internet can take about 30 to 60 minutes.
No, it does not require a phone line.
Yes, Kinetic Internet is one of the fastest internet providers, with speeds up to 1000 Mbps.
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