Windstream Internet Review 2020

Windstream is trying to bring reliable high-speed internet to folks out in the country. Though the company has had a rocky history, including filing for bankruptcy in 2019, it’s managed to build its network in rural areas from southern Texas to the Canadian border.

But if you have other rural internet options, how does Windstream compare? Let’s take a look at its prices, download speeds, contracts, and more to find out.

Windstream prices and plans

It’s hard to put a peg on Windstream’s prices since they vary drastically based on location.

Just like some other internet service providers (ISPs), Windstream’s prices depend on where you live.

Even some cities in the same state may see different prices for Windstream plans, so it’s best to check the Windstream deals in your specific area.

But to give you an idea of how Windstream’s prices pan out, here’s a look at what we found in Ball Ground, Georgia.

You may notice that two of Windstream’s plan names list a range of speeds. We’re not sure why these plans, in particular, have a range, but Windstream says it will tell you the exact speed range when you finish signing up for the plan.

More than likely, Windstream’s approach is similar to AT&T Internet’s: it tries to get your download speed as close to the maximum speed listed in the range. But certain factors are out of its control, like the condition of the wiring inside your home, how close you are to the network hub, and more.

Another thing to note about Windstream’s internet plans is that the advertised prices are promotional. They will almost always go up after 12 months. So take a careful look at that fine print. (To be fair, this is pretty common among ISPs.)

When you compare Windstream’s prices for Ball Ground, Georgia, to offerings from other internet providers like CenturyLink, Suddenlink, and Xfinity, it holds up pretty well. (And if you compare it to satellite internet, which is another common rural internet option, Windstream’s prices and speeds look absolutely fantastic.)

We should note that Xfinity’s top-end price is for its 2,000 Mbps plan, which is limited to very small areas of the US. A more reasonable comparison is Xfinity’s 1,000 Mbps plan, which rings in at just a little less than Windstream’s 1,000 Mbps plan.

On the other hand, if you can nab a Suddenlink 100, 200, or 400 Mbps plan, it’s a better deal. But Windstream’s Kinetic Gig plan offers the same speeds for less than the Suddenlink 1 Gig plan costs. So if you’re after as much speed as you can get, Windstream is the better choice between the two.

Windstream service areas

If you’re considering Windstream internet, you probably live in a rural area. Yup, Windstream brings the internet to towns like Lake City, Florida; Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Tollesboro, Kentucky.

We love that Windstream is keeping the folks back home connected. To get an idea of whether Windstream is available near you, here’s a map of its coverage area plus a list of the states it offers service in.

Source: Windstream.com

States with Windstream internet service

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• New York
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Texas

Windstream internet speed and data

Windstream offers a variety of reliable download speeds, and its unlimited data is a real gem.

Windstream is DSL internet service, which runs through your phone line. And while satellite internet might be convenient if you’re totally off-grid, DSL internet can offer higher speeds and higher (in Windstream’s case, unlimited) data caps.

Here’s a look at the download speeds Windstream provides, which look great compared to the 100 Mbps download speed Viasat’s satellite internet currently maxes out at.

And if you’re lucky enough to get the Windstream Kinetic Gig plan, you’ll be surfing the web on fiber internet. (We highly recommend fiber due to its fast speeds and high reliability.)

More good news: Windstream scored an average of 95.6% on the most recent Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) actual-to-advertised speeds report.² That means you’ll usually get the speeds you’re actually paying for, though we’d like to see Windstream hit 100%—or higher.

Data caps

Unlike CenturyLink and Xfinity, Windstream has no data caps. None. Ze-ro.

That’s stellar news for anyone who likes to download a lot of games or movies—or has to download files when they work from home. You won’t get a passive-aggressive email at 2:30 in the morning warning that you’re this close to meeting your data cap. And you won’t have to pay data overage fees or fork over more money for more data.

We prefer it when internet companies remove restrictions like data caps, so kudos to Windstream for doing just that.

Contracts, equipment, and fees

Windstream’s fees are pretty standard, but we love that there’s no early termination fee.

Windstream internet comes with no contract, and we love to hear that.

That means you’re free to cancel your Windstream service any time you want without early termination fees putting a dent in your wallet that’s deeper than the Mariana Trench.

Still, keep in mind that Windstream’s advertised prices are good for 12 months. When month 13 rolls around, you will see a jump in your internet bill—and that’s never fun.

This is, unfortunately, a common practice for most internet providers. But there are a few that offer a price for life guarantee that says customers who pay their bills on time, don’t swap plans, and “remain in good standing” will pay the same monthly price for internet forever. You can read about CenturyLink’s, Suddenlink’s, and Optimum’s price for life guarantees in our reviews.

Equipment

User reviews suggest that Windstream usually charges around $10 a month to rent a modem. That adds up to an extra $120 a year, and that’s about the cost of buying your own equipment.

If you’d like to skip renting and buy your own equipment, our recommended modem and router combo is the TP-Link TD-8816 modem and router combo* from Amazon. It’s compatible with Windstream and a solid choice to boot.

Just be aware that “Windstream offers very limited support for broadband DSL modems not issued by Windstream.”³ (But we’ll help you set up your modem and router and troubleshoot internet issues with our guides.)

^{*Reviews.org utilizes paid Amazon links.}

Service fees

We love that Windstream published a guide to the charges you might see on your first bill. In a nutshell, here’s what to expect when you sign up for Windstream:

• Activation fee: This is a one-time fee of $50 to start your service.
• Installation fees: $35 for a technician to install Windstream internet, and another $65 if you need a phone jack installed.
• Early termination fees: No contract means no early termination fee, so you’re off the hook here.

Customer service

Windstream is known for lackluster customer service, but so is the rest of the internet industry.

Take a peek around the internet, and it won’t take you long to run into some angry Windstream customers. From no one answering the phone to random internet service disconnects, Windstream’s got a rap for some pretty bad customer service.

And the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) report matches the sentiment of Windstream’s disgruntled customers, scoring the ISP a 57 out of 100.⁴ That’s a failing grade if we ever saw one.

If you need to contact Windstream’s customer service, we have a few tips that might help you keep a clear head and not flip your desk while you wait on hold:

1. Send an email or use online chat. Nothing’s worse than getting stuck on hold, and chat or email let you continue living your life while you wait for a response. Plus, both of these options give you written proof of what your Windstream rep said or promised.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. Some of us don’t enjoy negotiation, and others don’t like talking to sales agents. But it’s very important to clearly state why you’re calling: what your problem is and what can resolve that for you. And if your current representative isn’t helpful, you can most definitely ask to speak with someone else.
3. Do your research. If your internet service has been out for days and you’ve called several times before, keep logs of the dates and times you’ve called. If you’re negotiating for a lower monthly bill, have competing internet providers’ offers on hand. Having this kind of research and proof makes your case stronger.

You can reach Windstream customer service here:

• Online chat
• Twitter: @Talk2Windstream
• Facebook: @windstreamconnects

Our picks: The best Windstream internet plans

Best for small families: High-Speed Internet 50–100 Mbps

Who it’s best for: Small households who stream and game a little

Why we picked it: Windstream’s 50–100 Mbps plan will try to get you as close to 100 Mbps as possible, making it a great option for households of two or three people. Those 100 Mbps download speeds are even enough to rewatch The Walking Dead on Netflix or play a bit of Call of Duty: Warzone.

Best for smart homes and large families: Kinetic Gig

Who it’s best for: Large families, small businesses, and gamers

Why we picked it: Buckle up for gig speeds. Your whole family—and we mean children and cousins and everyone—could stream simultaneously, and you’d still have some bandwidth left over. This plan could compete with any of the best internet plans for gaming, and we think it’s a great pick for anyone who works from home or runs a boatload of smart home devices too.

Recap: Is Windstream good?

If you live in a rural area, it can be slim pickings for high-speed internet. Windstream may be one of the better options in your area, but it’s definitely worth comparing its plans to those of competitors like CenturyLink, Suddenlink, AT&T Internet, and satellite internet providers.

• Plans and prices: Windstream offers a nice variety of speeds, so it’s easy to find the right plan for your needs. But its prices may hold a few surprises since they change based on where you live—prices may differ even in the same state.
• Internet speed: Windstream’s DSL plans are faster than satellite internet, and it holds up pretty well when it comes to actually delivering the speeds it promises. It also offers unlimited data, which is a big win in our book.
• Customer service: Windstream is not the star of the customer service show. We hope it and other ISPs start treating their customers better and resolving issues like outages more quickly.

Recap: Windstream internet plans

Here’s a second look at what you might expect for Windstream internet prices.

• High-Speed Internet 25 Mbps: $45/month*, 25 Mbps download speeds
• High-Speed Internet 50–100 Mbps: $55/month*, 100 Mbps download speeds
• High-Speed Internet 200 Mbps: $60/month*, 200 Mbps download speeds
• High-Speed Internet 300–400 Mbps: $65/month*, 400 Mbps download speeds
• High-Speed Internet 500 Mbps: $65/month*, 500 Mbps download speeds
• Kinetic Gig: $75/month*, 1,000 Mbps download speeds

^{Data effective 3/24/2019. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
*For the first 12 months. Price includes $19.00 promotional credit.}

Sources

1. Reuters, “Windstream Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy after Court Ruling”
2. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), “2016 Measuring Broadband America Fixed Broadband Report”
3. Windstream, “Can I Purchase My Own Equipment to Work With Windstream Services?”
4. American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), “ACSI Telecommunications Report 2018–2019”