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Kinetic by Windstream Internet Review: Fast Fiber and Decent DSL Service

Kinetic plans and pricing vary by location but the high speed and value potential is worth checking out.

Article updated on May 10, 2023 at 11:44 AM PDT

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David Anders
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David Anders Senior Writer
David Anders is a senior writer for CNET covering broadband providers, smart home devices and security products. Prior to joining CNET, David built his industry expertise writing for the broadband marketplace Allconnect. In his 5 plus years covering broadband, David's work has been referenced by a variety of sources including ArcGIS, DIRECTV and more. David is from and currently resides in the Charlotte area with his wife, son and two cats.
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Kinetic home internet rating

How we calculated our rating

6.7
/ 10
SCORE
Speed
7/10
Value
6.5/10
Customer Care
6.5/10
Pros
  • Fast speeds for rural areas
  • No data caps, no speed throttling, no contracts
  • Fiber expansion in the works
Cons
  • Speeds and pricing vary widely by location
  • No security plan included
  • Below average customer satisfaction

When shopping for internet in a suburban or even rural area, Kinetic by Windstream is a name that may pop up. It's worth considering if it does, as speeds, pricing and service terms are likely to be better than you'll find from most rural internet options.

Kinetic (the brand name for Windstream's internet service, similar to how Spectrum and Xfinity are the brand names for internet service from Charter Communications and Comcast, respectively) offers faster speeds than you'll find in most rural areas and the internet plans are cheap, or at least they can be, for any region. Additionally, Kinetic plans offer unlimited data with no contract requirements, which is common among many providers but is harder to come by in rural areas.

If your internet options are satellite or Kinetic, you'll get more bang for your buck with Kinetic. It'll probably be DSL internet, which isn't exactly the fastest or most reliable internet type, but Windstream's DSL network is equipped to deliver speeds faster than many satellite, fixed wireless or other DSL providers can. Plans are also likely to be cheaper and of a better connection quality than satellite or fixed wireless service.

Locating local internet providers

Windstream coverage map

Broadband service from Kinetic by Windstream is available in 18 states thanks to a large DSL network and growing fiber presence.

FCC/Mapbox

As you get closer to the cities and suburbs where Kinetic fiber-optic service is available, the fast speeds and low introductory pricing are even more enticing. However, speeds and pricing will again vary by location, and these areas typically come with more internet options, including a cable internet provider and perhaps another fiber-optic provider. In that case, you'll want to compare Kinetic closely with other available providers to determine the best internet provider for your needs.

Large coverage area, small coverage percentage

Kinetic is available in 18 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas. Availability is particularly high in Georgia, Iowa and Kentucky, where coverage spans half the state or more. Availability in other states is slightly spottier. 

Locating local internet providers

Despite the large coverage area spanning more than a third of US states, Kinetic is available to only around 2.78% of the US population, according to the most recent Federal Communications Commission data. Such a large service area yet relatively small coverage percentage is an indicator of how reserved Kinetic internet is for rural and suburban regions with low population density. For comparison, cable internet provider Cox Communications has a far smaller coverage area than Kinetic but is available to more than twice as many people since it operates primarily in metropolitan areas like San Diego, Phoenix and Washington.

Broadband speeds available to 85% of DSL coverage area

Kinetic has the largest percentage of broadband availability I've seen from any major DSL provider, with speeds of 25 megabits per second or higher available to more than 86% of customers. More than half (65%, also according to the FCC) can get speeds of 100Mbps or higher.

Fiber has room to grow

As a DSL provider, Kinetic is a leader in delivering broadband speeds, but there is an opportunity for improvement as a fiber provider. That's not to say Windstream is neglecting the need for greater fiber coverage. In fact, fiber expansion is currently in the works. 

In mid-April, Windstream announced it would be unveiling a new 2 Gig Kinetic Fiber plan in a few premium markets across its 18-state footprint. The individual regions were not specified, but a press release boasted it's part of the company's "We Leave No Town Behind" initiative.

A Windstream spokesperson tells CNET that the company is "currently involved in a multiyear $2 billion fiber investment and rollout across the 18-state footprint" and that "by 2027, 50% of the network will have fiber available." That seems like a long way off -- and for the rural residents waiting for it, it probably is -- but running fiber lines isn't easy or cheap, which is why fiber is primarily reserved for areas with higher population densities. Suppose Windstream runs fiber lines to 50% of its footprint. In that case, much of that will include rural and potentially underserved suburban areas, so kudos to Windstream for investing in fiber service where other providers have not, even if it takes more than a few years to do it.

As fiber access improves, more Kinetic customers will have access to faster speeds, but for now, available speeds vary widely by location. Whether you can get DSL or fiber service from Kinetic will also play a significant role in available speeds and plan pricing, but even then, plans are subject to change from one market to the next. I'll do my best to explain.

Kinetic by Windstream plans

Kinetic is a little different from other providers in how it structures internet plans. Basically, you start with a single plan, which could be any of the plans listed below, depending on your address. Then, if you like, you can upgrade that plan to a faster speed for an added fee (assuming that a faster speed is available).

Kinetic internet plans

PlanMax speedsConnection typePromo rate (first year)Regular rate (after 12 months)Data cap
Kinetic 50 50Mbps download, upload speed variesDSL$30-$60$55-$85None
Kinetic 200 200Mbps download, 200Mbps uploadFiber$40$55-$85None
Kinetic 500 500Mbps download, 500Mbps uploadFiber$40$55-$85None

You'll notice there's no official gig plan listed there, even though gig service is available from Kinetic, nor are there faster speeds listed for DSL service. That's because higher speed tiers are upgrades to the base plan, not separate plans themselves. 

For example, if Kinetic 200 is the offered plan in your area, you may have the option to upgrade to faster speeds for an added monthly fee. For $10 more per month, you could get speeds of 400Mbps or 500Mbps for an added $20 per month and gig speeds for $30 more per month. That feels like an overly complicated way to do it, but I suppose it works from a company standpoint when you have multiple speeds available across many small and large markets. 

Plans and pricing 

The Kinetic plan you can get, and the cost of said plan, will depend on your address. For DSL service, it's possible that only a speed of less than 50Mbps will be all that's available and, even though you're getting less than the max speed offered in the plan, it may not be available for the lowest possible price ($27 per month). Residents of Bolivar, Missouri, for example, may only be eligible for speeds of up to 15Mbps starting at $45 per month, while those in Albemarle, North Carolina, may be eligible for the full 50Mbps starting at $27. Additionally, it's possible that DSL speeds higher than 50Mbps are available, but that would require a speed upgrade (and an additional fee).

Fiber service is a little less volatile as far as available speeds and pricing are concerned, but it's still not one size fits all. In some markets, the starting speed will be 200Mbps. In others, it's 400Mbps for the same price. Starting prices also seem to be somewhat inconsistent, and after 12 months, the price could increase to somewhere between $55 to $85.

Fees and such are more straightforward

Have I mentioned that Kinetic prices and speeds vary by location? In a welcome change of pace, fees and service terms largely do not. I say "largely" because the equipment rental fee can vary ($10 in most locations, but only $7 in a select few), but other than that, it's all the same across all service areas.

At $10 per month (or $7 if you're lucky), Kinetic's Wi-Fi equipment rental is lower than most. You also can use your own equipment and skip the monthly fee, but doing so may take a while to pay off, especially if you lock in that low $7 rate. It's nice to  the haveoption if you already own a compatible modem and router or prefer to use a top-of-the-line mesh Wi-Fi setup.

The equipment fee is avoidable, but the internet activation fee ($60 up front) is not, unless you sign up for the gigabit service. This is a separate fee from installation (which is included at no extra cost, whether self or professional), and I honestly don't know what it's for. The good news is that Kinetic currently offers a $100 instant credit when you order online, so you get back the activation fee and then some with your order.

Regardless of your location, plan and equipment choices, your Kinetic plan comes with unlimited data, no contract requirements and Windstream's promise to never throttle your speeds. This should be a given from all providers. However, there are still some out there -- ahem, Xfinity, ahem Mediacom -- that impose contracts with early termination fees and data caps with overage fees.

Kinetic versus the competition

As a DSL provider, Kinetic is generally faster than similar providers. If you're lucky enough to be in a market with the $30 introductory pricing, Kinetic is also cheaper than most DSL providers. 

dsc06258.jpg

Satellite internet might be able to offer faster speeds than DSL in select regions, but Kinetic DSL offers better value, better latency and better reliability, with no data caps or contracts.

John Kim/CNET

As a fiber provider, there isn't much to separate Kinetic from other fiber providers. Pricing is about the same, maybe a little cheaper with Kinetic in some areas. Speeds are about the same as well. 

It's unlikely you'll have the option of Kinetic and other DSL or fiber internet providers, however, so let's compare the two options you'll probably have: Kinetic DSL and satellite internet, or Kinetic fiber and cable internet. 

Kinetic DSL versus satellite internet

DSL is almost always the better option over satellite internet, so you'll definitely want to check out Kinetic before committing to satellite.

Kinetic will be cheaper and will probably deliver faster speeds than satellite, though some locations currently get speeds in the 10Mbps to 20Mbps range while HughesNet plans have a max of 25Mbps. In some regions, Viasat satellite internet plans can hit speeds as high as 150Mbps. Kinetic still has some significant advantages, so you may find the slight speed sacrifice to be worth it.

For starters, you won't have to worry about data caps with Kinetic. Satellite internet, on the other hand, has the most strict data limits of any internet type. Satellite internet also comes with a two-year contract and a hefty early termination fee if you cancel before the two years are up. Kinetic does not lock you into a contract.

A DSL connection, while not perfect, will also offer greater reliability and lower latency than satellite internet. Rain and cloud cover won't disrupt your DSL service, and latency is low enough to support online gaming, two conveniences you shouldn't expect from satellite.

Kinetic fiber internet vs. cable internet

Like how DSL is preferable to satellite, fiber is often preferable to cable internet. You'll get symmetrical upload speeds with fiber internet and a more reliable connection than cable. Still, Kinetic versus cable could be a toss-up depending on which Kinetic plans are available at your address and which cable providers offer service in your area.

Suppose you can get the $40 pricing (or lower in some areas, apparently) for Kinetic's 200Mbps or 400Mbps plan. In that case, that'll be a better deal than you'll get from many competing cable providers. 

For those who have the need for speed, Kinetic's gig service is also priced lower than gig plans from most cable providers. Gig service from Kinetic could cost around $70 per month for the first year, then $85 per month from the 13th month on (again, Kinetic pricing is different in every market, so don't hold me to that). On the cable side, gig service could initially cost $80 to $110, then spike up to well over $120 after 12 months. Gig service from Mediacom, for example, is $140 after 24 months.

In most instances, I'd recommend Kinetic fiber over cable internet. It's probably going to be a bit cheaper and you'll get the luxury of symmetrical download and upload speeds. That said, be sure to do your due diligence. If Kinetic fiber service is available, definitely check it out, but also compare it with plans and pricing options from other providers in your area.

ACSI rankings for US customer satisfaction with internet service providers
ACSI

Below-average customer satisfaction

The American Customer Satisfaction Index gave Windstream a score of 62/100 last year -- a one-point increase year-over-year but still below the industry average. J.D. Power also gave Windstream a slight score boost from 2020 to 2021 (680/1,000 and 682/1,000, respectively). It may only be two points, but Kinetic by Windstream was one of the few ISPs to improve its score in that time. Still, it was good for only an eighth-place finish, edging out only CenturyLink, Suddenlink and HughesNet.

Below-average customer satisfaction scores are concerning, but in Windstream's case, I think it comes down to one thing: 80% of the Kinetic network is DSL. In this digital age, it's understandable why customers would not be satisfied with DSL service's slower, less reliable nature. The outage-tracking site downdectector.com notes a few recent outages, but some commenters claim to experience issues with Windstream regularly.

All this is to say that I think it's more of a network issue causing low customer satisfaction rather than poor customer service or shady billing practices on Windstream's end. As the Kinetic network continues to improve (again, the goal is 50% fiber coverage by 2027), I think Windstream's customer satisfaction scores will likely follow suit.

The bottom line

Those in rural areas will find Kinetic DSL internet a better service and value than satellite. Kinetic fiber and cable internet are somewhat more closely matched, but Kinetic fiber will probably be the cheaper high-speed option as well. Kinetic pricing and available speeds vary widely by market, however, perhaps more so than any other major provider, so be sure to compare your options.

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Prefer to speak with an expert live? Call (833) 891-6413 for availability in your area.