Kinetic by Windstream Internet review: Cost, coverage and customer experience guide

Kinetic by Windstream at a glance

Kinetic is an internet service provided by Windstream Communications. One of our best internet providers, Kinetic provides fiber optic, dial-up, DSL and cable internet connections in 18 states.

Fast facts

What we like

Kinetic by Windstream offers the best high-speed, affordable internet in suburban or rural areas. It typically provides faster speeds, competitive prices and better service terms than other rural internet providers. Kinetic is known for its fiber-cable-backed DSL system, which delivers faster internet speeds than satellite or fixed wireless options.

Although Kinetic has customers in 18 states, its relatively small service area targets rural and suburban regions. Kinetic may be the perfect choice if you live in Georgia, Iowa or Kentucky, where the company’s coverage extends across half of each state or farther.

What we don’t like

While Kinetic supplies affordable high-speed internet, it has limited availability. If you live in a rural area, your only options for internet connection might be satellite or Kinetic (typically DSL). Kinetic’s DSL network can deliver faster speeds than many satellite, fixed wireless or other DSL providers. However, if you live closer to a city with more internet options, such as cable and fiber optic, we recommend comparing Kinetic to other providers to decide the best fit for your needs.

* BBB ratings are accurate as of July 2024.

Kinetic by Windstream pros and cons

Kinetic by Windstream has no data caps or annual contracts. It’s an attractive option for those seeking reliable internet service, particularly in rural areas where consistently fast speeds can be hard to come by.

There are other considerations to keep in mind. The provider imposes a few one-time fees, including a $50 activation fee, a $35 professional installation fee and a $65 charge for new phone jack installation at your home. It also charges a monthly equipment rental fee of $10.99 unless you use your own modem and router.

One of the cons is Kinetic’s below-average customer satisfaction ratings. On average, Yelp reviewers rate it at 1.2 out of 5. One significant factor contributing to this dissatisfaction is the network’s reliance on DSL technology, which offers slower connection speeds than other internet types.

Pros

Cons

How much does Kinetic by Windstream cost?

Like many other ISPs, Windstream’s prices depend on your location. Windstream’s advertised prices are promotional and always go up after a year or two. So, read the fine print of your agreement and know that your starting monthly price has a short lifespan.

Kinetic provides a base plan for 300 Mbps starting at $39.99 per month, which rises to $64.99 after the first year when the promotional period concludes. If you’re looking for faster speeds, the Fiber 1 Gig plan starts at $69.99 per month, with a promotional rate of $39.99 per month for the first three months, but then increases to $94.99 per month after a two-year price guarantee.

Kinetic’s Fiber 2 Gig plan costs $99.99 per month for two years and then rises to $124.99. The highest speed plan, 8 Gig, is only accessible in select areas and costs $324.99 monthly.

Savings and discounts

Kinetic offers the option to secure promotional rates for various plans. Among them are:

What plans and services does Kinetic by Windstream offer?

Kinetic by Windstream’s base plan has speeds up to 300 Mbps. That internet speed suits everyday online activities, including online gaming, streaming and general browsing. It’s ideal for a household of three to four people.

Kinetic’s 1 Gig plan, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps, is ideal for a large, busy family with around 20 connected devices. This speed is sufficient for seamless 4K streaming and video calls, high-performance online gaming, downloading and uploading large files and connecting security systems and smart appliances.

Kinetic’s 2 Gig plan boasts speeds up to 2,000 Mbps and suits large households or businesses regularly involved in high-bandwidth activities. The plan can handle activities that include streaming 4K or 8K content across multiple devices, playing online games, including VR and AR games, downloading or uploading large files, photos and videos at fast speeds and establishing a home network of smart devices or home automation.

Kinetic’s fastest internet speed is its 8 Gig plan, which has speeds up to 8,000 Mbps. This plan is only available in select locations. The demographic that needs such fast speed includes dedicated tech enthusiasts and professionals working with technology and data. An internet speed of 8 GB can support cloud applications and remote servers focused on technology and data management.

Kinetic by Windstream has no contracts or data caps. Customers can self-install for free or pay a one-time $35 fee for professional installation. Also, it charges a $50 activation fee and a $65 fee for installing a new phone jack. For those who choose to rent equipment from Kinetic, the monthly rental fee is $10.99.

Kinetic by Windstream services

Kinetic by Windstream add-ons and optional features

Here are other add-ons and optional features Kinetic by Windstream offers.

Kinetic Secure

Kinetic Secure is an add-on that protects online transactions, activities and data from cyber threats, inappropriate content and other potential online threats. New and existing customers can add Kinetic Secure for free for the first three months. After that, it’s $14.99 per month.

Home security

Kinetic Secure Home offers a no-contract home security system. The two available plans have DIY installation and app-based monitoring.

Home phone

You can bundle Kinetic Internet with Kinetic Voice (VoIP), a home phone service delivered over the internet, for $25 a month or choose a stand-alone service priced at $50 per month.

Windstream customer service and experience

If you need assistance from Kinetic by Windstream’s customer service team, you have several options. Live chat support is available for online orders and billing inquiries Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET and for technical Support and phone repairs daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET.

For account support via phone, you can reach them Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Service support is accessible 24/7, every day of the week.

I initially contacted Kinetic through a live chat to inquire about plans and prices. After being redirected from the technical team to billing and services, I was advised to call for further assistance. Upon calling, I was transferred three more times until I connected with a sales representative who could provide detailed information about the plans, pricing and promotions. This call occurred around 6:15 p.m. on a Thursday and lasted approximately 30 minutes, including hold time.

Fortunately, the customer service representative I eventually reached was friendly, knowledgeable and able to assist me in verifying their plan prices, speeds and available connection types. Overall, it was a positive experience.

Customer feedback

However, other customers have had a different experience with customer service:

Other considerations about Kinetic by Windstream

Before you commit to Kinetic by Windstream internet, consider the following factors.

Additional fees

Kinetic charges customers several one-time fees, including a $50 activation fee, a $35 professional installation fee (you can opt to self-install) and a $65 charge for a new phone jack installation at your home. There’s also a monthly equipment rental fee of $10.99 unless you use your modem and router.

No data caps or contracts

Unlike other providers, which may enforce contracts or impose higher charges for exceeding data limits, Kinetic assures no data caps or contracts across all its plans.

How does Windstream compare with competitors?

Kinetic by Windstream may be the best option if you live in a rural area and are looking for a high-speed internet provider. However, Kinetic is only available in 18 states. You may have to find another provider if it’s unavailable at your address.

Fixed wireless internet, such as 5G, can be a valuable alternative in areas with limited broadband access. Verizon 5G, for instance, offers the best internet speeds for rural areas and is available in 47 states. With speeds up to 1,000 Mbps, it surpasses T-Mobile’s fastest plan of 245 Mbps. Verizon’s 5G Home plan starts at $35 per month with a postpaid mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband.

Kinetic by Windstream vs. competitors

Methodology

We evaluated 22 companies based on their plan features, connection speeds, availability, customer service reputation, data privacy offerings and more to help you find the best internet service provider. We weighed various factors in each category to create our impartial star rating system. Companies that offered the most options, convenience and best speeds at the lowest prices scored the highest. We also conducted extensive research, including in-depth analysis and interviews with industry experts on various broadband and internet companies.

Our reviews are impartial and independently verified.

Bottom line

Kinetic by Windstream stands out as one of the top choices for high-speed and affordable internet in suburban or rural areas. Kinetic distinguishes itself with faster speeds, competitive pricing and favorable service terms compared to other rural internet providers. Its fiber-cable-backed DSL system delivers faster internet speeds than satellite or fixed wireless alternatives.

FAQs