Windstream Internet: Reviews Pricing & Performance
Windstream Internet is a web provider that makes use of DSL, fiber, cable, and dialup networks and operates in elements of 18 states within the US. On its internet site, the employer promotes three very excessive-pace internet applications: Kinetic GIG, Kinetic 500, and Kinetic 200. While its fiber networks are growing, Windstream’s fundamental declare to repute is DSL insurance for rural areas. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), downloads of at the least 100Mbps and uploads of 25Mps are to be had in lots of Windstream’s insurance vicinity. Windstream had approximately 1 million broadband subscribers as of 2018.
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Windstream net programs
Kinetic GIG Internet
Kinetic GIG Internet by means of Windstream is a totally fiber-optic Internet provider presented in extra than one hundred fifty groups within the US, presenting download and upload speeds of up to 1Gbps and allowing 4K movie streaming. According to Windstream, different advantages of fiber-optic networks consist of better reliability than copper networks, simultaneous assist for multiple gadgets within the home, and lower latency for faster web page masses. Fiber is available in approximately 6.3 percentage of Windstream’s coverage vicinity, in line with the FCC.
Kinetic 500 Internet
Kinetic 500 Internet is marketed as supplying download speeds of as much as 500Mbps. Windstream uses DSL for Kinetic 500 and most different plans, besides for Kinetic Gig. According to the FCC, but, simplest approximately 1.76 percentage of Windstream’s DSL provider place achieves download speeds of 500Mbps, even as any other 1.seventy six percentage can down load at 250Mbps.
However, those small numbers say more about the low availability of very high-pace DSL programs than whether or not Windstream can provide on promised DSL speeds. In the FCC’s most recent actual-to-marketed speeds file, the agency scored between 86.52 percentage and 99.seventy one percentage, signifying that you commonly get the speeds you pay for from Windstream.
Kinetic two hundred Internet
As its name indicates, Kinetic 2 hundred Internet, another DSL service is marketed as providing down load speeds of up to 200Mbps. The FCC does not song 200Mbps down load speeds. However, download speeds of as a minimum 100Mbps are to be had in 38.2 percentage of Windstream’s DSL coverage location.
Lower-pace net packages
Windstream also offers a wide range of decrease-speed internet programs, which range notably via speed and price in distinct locations. In Pittsburgh, PA, for instance, Windstream offers 4 different plans, with none achieving a down load pace above 100 Mbps. The plans in Pittsburgh range from a 15Mbps package known as Standard Kinetic Internet to a 100Mbps package deal referred to as Premium Kinetic Plus. Windstream also gives Internet/telephone/TV bundles in a few regions, such as Pittsburgh.
To find out which packages are available to your region, you must offer your road address and zip code to Windstream. Generally, the FCC observed that about ninety six.eight percent of Windstream’s normal carrier area can obtain download speeds of at least 4Mbps. About ninety three percent can get hold of 10Mbps or better and 78.1 percent can get 25Mbps and up. DSL is offered in 99.2 percentage of the overall service location.
Windstream availability
Windstream is offered 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. Services are handiest supplied in positive parts of every nation, and speeds range substantially.
Windstream offers Kinetic GIG to select groups in sixteen states, but groups are increasingly receiving coverage. When the gigabit provider first launched in 2016, the initial locations covered Lincoln, NB; Lexington, KY; Sugar Land, TX; and 7 groups in North Carolina: China Grove, Concord, Davidson, Harrisburg, Kannapolis, Lewisville, and Matthews.
Windstream features
Unlike some different net vendors, Windstream doesn’t manage network congestion through capping an person patron’s usage or throttling a consumer’s carrier once a positive amount of utilization is handed. No contracts are required, and services may be ordered on a monthly foundation.
All Windstream customers gain access to free electronic mail addresses. Internet security, cloud storage, statistics backup, tech help, and wire renovation services are supplied as paid add-ons. These accessories are supplied thru four Internet Shield security applications, each sold at monthly pricing.
Three of those paid Internet Shield programs come with McAfee Multi-Access (MMA), a multi-level bundle for shielding devices that encompass PCs, Macs, and Android smartphones and drugs. Supporting all browsers, MMA includes anti-virus, anti-phishing, firewall, PC optimization, a cell tool locator, and superior danger safety for protecting your privateness. With MMA safety thru Windstream, you may control up to three supported devices from a single account on every occasion you log on.
- Windstream’s Shield Lite gives basic protection to shield your identity and records, such as MMA, online facts backup with document safety, up to 100GB in cloud storage, and identity theft safety with credit score monitoring.
- Shield Standard gives all of the equal capabilities as Shield Lite even as including limitless 24/7/365 tech guide for up to a few PCs through Tech Help, along side cord renovation safety for your own home thru a Protection Plus plan.
- Shield Premium has all of Shield Standard’s features, further to PC Protect and complete-domestic tech assist. You get coverage for laptop hardware malfunction in addition to for unintended damage to PCs. You additionally get hold of far flung, enhanced tech assist for up to 10 net-linked gadgets on a 24/7/365 foundation.
- Windstream’s Premium Wi-Fi tool connectivity support offers expert tech assist with Wi-Fi troubles like set up and activation. It also comes with Protection Plus to cowl repair fees for device, which include wiring and jacks. This is the best Internet Shield bundle from Windstream that doesn’t include internet safety software from McAfee.
Conclusion
Windstream offers DSL, fiber, cable, and dial-up net services in pockets of 18 states within the US. Services are available at a huge variety of speeds and fee points, depending on where you live. The agency boasts fairly priced DSL connectivity at 100Mbps or much less in rural regions. Windstream also offers fiber connectivity at Gig speeds in one hundred fifty communities in 16 states, with plans to make bigger.
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