Kinetic by Windstream may be one of your internet service options if you live in a rural or suburban area. Is it worth it or should you consider satellite or cable internet?
The answer depends on your preferences and the types of internet service available in your area. Windstream Internet is available with max speeds up to 8 Gbps in select areas. Still, most customers can only expect speeds up to 100 Mbps, which is still faster than satellite and fixed wireless access.
In this article, we help you decide if Windstream Internet is right for you. We review the types of internet services Kinetic by Windstream offers and compare them to other types of internet services from other providers. Let’s talk about Windstream’s DSL service first.
Is Windstream DSL Worth It?
What is DSL Internet?
Kinetic by Windstream offers DSL internet service in most of its rural footprint. With download speeds reaching 100 Mbps, Windstream’s DSL service is much faster than satellite and fixed wireless access. But it may not be worth it if cable or fiber internet is also available in your area.
DSL Compared To Other Types of Internet Service
DSL vs. Cable Internet
Technology: DSL uses existing telephone lines to transmit data, while cable internet uses coaxial cable infrastructure.
Speed: Cable internet typically offers faster download speeds compared to DSL.
Availability: Cable internet is more widely available in urban and suburban areas, while DSL is often available in both urban and rural areas.
Cost: DSL is often more affordable than cable internet.
DSL vs. Fiber Optic Internet
Technology: Fiber optic internet uses thin strands of glass or plastic to transmit data using light signals whereas DSL uses telephone lines.
Speed: Fiber optic internet is significantly faster than DSL.
Availability: Fiber optic internet is expanding its coverage but is still less widely available in many regions compared to DSL.
Cost: Fiber optic internet tends to be more expensive than DSL, but the price difference may be justified by the hugely increased speed and reliability.
DSL vs. Satellite Internet
Technology: Satellite internet relies on satellites in orbit to transmit and receive data, making it available in remote areas where DSL and cable are not feasible.
Speed: DSL typically offers faster speeds than satellite internet.
Latency: DSL generally has lower latency compared to satellite internet, which can make a noticeable difference in online gaming and real-time video conferencing.
Weather Dependency: Satellite internet can be affected by adverse weather conditions, leading to service interruptions. DSL is generally more reliable in this regard.
DSL vs. Fixed Wireless Internet
Technology: Fixed wireless internet uses radio signals to connect to an internet service provider’s base station, providing internet access without the need for physical cables.
Speed: Fixed wireless internet can offer speeds competitive to DSL, but it may vary depending on the provider’s infrastructure and location.
Line of Sight: Fixed wireless often requires a clear line of sight between the user’s antenna and the provider’s base station, which can be a limitation in some areas.
Availability: Availability of fixed wireless internet depends on the provider’s coverage, making it an option in some rural and underserved areas where DSL may be absent.
Is Windstream Fiber Worth It?
Kinetic by Windstream offers symmetrical speeds with fiber internet. With the introduction of its fastest speed tier, Windstream has become the largest 8-gig internet provider in the US. But Windstream Fiber is only available in select areas, so you may want to check with Windstream customer service first.
Windstream Fiber is worth it if you value speed, reliability, and low latency. With its 500 Mbps fiber plan available at a promotional rate of just $40 per month, there’s no reason not to choose Windstream Fiber if it’s offered where you live.
Fiber Compared To Other Types of Internet Service
Fiber Optic vs. DSL:
Speed: Fiber optic internet offers significantly faster speeds compared to DSL. Fiber provides symmetrical upload and download speeds, whereas DSL typically has slower upload speeds.
Reliability: Fiber is more reliable than DSL. It’s less susceptible to environmental factors like electrical interference and distance from the provider’s equipment.
Latency: Fiber generally has lower latency than DSL.
Availability: Fiber optic internet is expanding its coverage but is still less widely available compared to DSL, especially in rural areas.
Fiber Optic vs. Cable Internet:
Speed: Fiber optic internet is often faster and provides more consistent speeds than cable internet, especially during peak usage times when cable connections may slow down due to shared bandwidth.
Reliability: Fiber is less prone to network congestion and interference, making it more reliable for high-bandwidth activities.
Latency: Fiber typically has lower latency than cable, which can be important for responsive online experiences.
Availability: Fiber is currently less widely available than cable
Fiber Optic vs. Satellite Internet:
Speed: Fiber optic internet offers significantly faster speeds than satellite internet.
Latency: Fiber has much lower latency compared to satellite internet, which lags due to the signal’s journey to and from satellites in orbit.
Weather Dependence: Satellite internet can be affected by adverse weather conditions, while fiber is less susceptible to weather-related issues.
Availability: Satellite internet is available in remote areas where fiber may not be an option.
Fiber Optic vs. Fixed Wireless Internet:
Speed: Fiber typically offers higher speeds than fixed wireless, although the exact speed depends on the provider and infrastructure.
Reliability: Fiber is generally more reliable than fixed wireless because it’s not subject to signal interference.
Line of Sight: Fixed wireless may require a direct line of sight between the receiver and the provider’s equipment, which can be a limitation in some cases.
Availability: Fixed wireless can be available in areas where running fiber optic cables is cost-prohibitive.
Kinetic by Windstream Internet Plans
Kinetic by Windstream has multiple speed tiers available at different rates. Its DSL service is available in most rural areas and fiber internet in select areas closer to cities. Here are the common details for all Kinetic by Windstream Internet plans:
- There is no term contract required for Windstream Internet plans, which provides flexibility to customers.
- Windstream offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to ensure customer satisfaction.
- All Windstream Internet plans come with unlimited data usage.
- Kinetic by Windstream boasts a 99.9% network reliability for all it’s internet plans
With that out of the way, here are the internet tiers offered by Windstream:
Kinetic Internet
This is Windstream’s DSL internet plan with a maximum download speed of 100 Mbps. It generally costs around $40 per month (for 12 months).
Kinetic Fiber
This is Windstream’s starter fiber internet plan with a maximum download speed of 500 Mbps. It is also priced around $40 per month (for 12 months),
Kinetic Fiber Gig
This plan offers speeds up to 1 Gbps and costs around $70 per month (for 12 months).
Kinetic Fiber 2 Gig
This plan features symmetrical speeds up to 2 Gbps. Prices and details may vary by location.
Kinetic Fiber 8 Gig
This plan features symmetrical speeds up to 8 Gbps. Prices and details for this plan may also vary by location. Customers are advised to call Windstream customer service for specific information.
Conclusion
Windstream’s DSL service is good enough if cable or fiber isn’t available in your area. But Windstream Fiber is the fastest internet service you’ll find outside of major cities. At a low promotional cost of $40 per month for both DSL and fiber, Kinetic by Windstream is worth it for most customers.
