Windstream Internet Deal Recommendations
Pros
- Widely Available in rural areas
- Affordable compared to satellite
- No data caps
Cons
- Slower speeds than cable
- Slower speeds in rural areas
- Mixed service and reliability reviews
Windstream is a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) provider with coverage across Georgia, Texas, Kentucky, and 47 other states. In addition to their DSL service, Windstream also offers fiber and fixed wireless plans in select locations.
Windstream’s deal offerings are primarily focuses on business services, but they also offer plans for residential customers. With various package deals that include Internet, digital phone, and digital TV, it’s often possible to cover all the necessary technology needs by combining services together.
See the listings above for the best current Windstream Internet deals.
Windstream Internet Fees
One aspect to consider before making the decision to buy a particular package is that there are often additional fees added onto the monthly bill. Many customers look at the advertised price for a bundle and fail to consider additional charges that may drive up the price considerably.
In general, Windstream is decent about not tacking on a bunch of miscellaneous fees, but there are a couple of additional monthly charges to be aware of:
Windstream Modem Charges. When you sign up for Windstream internet, you’ll also need some extra equipment in order to get online, most notably a modem. While it’s sometimes possible to use your existing internet equipment, Windstream offers “very limited support” for third-party routers, so you’ll often be better off using their own equipment. There is a charge each month to rent the modem. Unfortunately, Windstream does not allow you to purchase your modem outright, so you’ll be stuck with the monthly fee.
Windstream Setup. When you first subscribe to Windstream, you will need to pay a setup fee. In some areas it’s possible to take advantage of self-installation and avoid the charge, but the professional installation is relatively inexpensive and includes installing coaxial jacks and testing the WiFi. If you’re not confident in your ability to set things up, we recommend letting the professionals handle it.
Windstream Activation Fees. Sometimes Windstream will also charge an activation fee, but it’s often possible to get that fee waived if you take the time to pick up the phone and call. Many Windstream promotions will allow the service representative to remove the fee or even offer free installation, so it’s definitely worthwhile to bring it up when you’re purchasing service.
| Windstream Modem Fee | Windstream Setup Fee |
|---|
| $9.99/mo - $11.99/mo | $35 One Time Charge |
Outside of modem charges and a setup fee, there shouldn’t be any additional fees to worry about with Windstream internet deals. With that said, you should always keep an eye on your bill to make sure you aren’t hit with any surprise charges.
Are Windstream Plans Good Enough For Netflix?
Netflix has quickly become the go-to for watching movies and shows, and if you’re a fan of the service you’ll need to make sure that your connection is strong enough to support streaming.
Netflix recommends that you have a connection that supports at least 5 Mbps. Windstream offers plans of up to 50 Mbps, which should be more than sufficient for multiple streams stream.
With a media-heavy household with many people streaming at once, however, you may start to notice the limitations of the connection. As long as you don’t have dozens of devices hooked up at once, a Windstream internet connection should be able to handle a normal family’s streaming habits.
Windstream Rural Internet Options
Windstream is primarily a DSL provider, and DSL is one of the most widely available options for internet in rural locations. Because it delivers internet over telephone lines, it can reach homes that are far away from metropolitan locations and provide good, reliable speeds.
In rural locations, you’ll generally be choosing between DSL and satellite internet. This makes the choice between Windstream internet plans and HughesNet or Viasat satellite plans a common one.
In most cases, DSL will be the superior choice due to the fact that there are often no data caps. Satellite internet plans will generally limit the amount of data you can use each month, which can be a major problem for those looking to stream content.
In areas where you have a choice between DSL and Satellite, your best bet is probably going to be DSL due to its reliability, decently affordable prices, and general lack of data caps. Satellite TV can sometimes offer faster speeds, but when you consider the limitations on data usage, it’s often not the best choice.
Windstream TV and DVR Options
In addition to DSL Internet service, Windstream also offers bundled television plans. In the vast majority of areas, television service is offered through a partnership with Dish network. Dish is a satellite TV provider with coverage across the majority of the United States and a reputation for providing a wide selection of channels at affordable prices.
One benefit you’ll enjoy with Dish TV is comprehensive DVR service. There’s an additional fee to use a DVR, and there are a few different models to choose from when purchasing service.
The premier Dish network DVR is the Hopper 3, and this is their most fully-featured model.
Windstream TV Hopper 3 DVR Features
Remote Finder. With the Hopper 3, locate your remote with ease. Just press a button and your remote will beep and blink
Voice-Activated Remote. Say whatever’s on your mind to navigate the channel guide, on-demand content, and streaming services like Netflix, all through the remote.
Skip Commercials. AutoHop from Dish will instantly skip over commercials in selected prime time programming.
Watch And Record Up To 16 Shows At Once. With the Hopper 3, you’ll never have to worry about missing your favorite show. Keep up with the Big Bang Theory or NCIS without missing the game. The simultaneous recording should allow you to stay current across several shows, even if they air at the same time.
The Hopper 3 isn’t the only DVR of course. The other options include systems like the Hopper Duo, Hopper, and a whole range of VIP DVRs. Listed below are the capacities and fees of their main Hopper products, but Dish is relatively unique in that there is a pretty huge lineup of possible equipment. Take a look at the Dish DVR page for a more complete idea of what is available.
| Windstream DVR Features | Hopper 3 | Hopper Duo | Hopper |
|---|
| Storage Capacity (HD) | 500hrs | 125 hrs | 500 hrs |
| Simultaneous Recordings | 16 | 2 | 8 |
| Supported TVs | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Monthly Fee | $15 | $10 | $15 |
| Additional Receivers | $15 | $7 (Joey) | $15 |
Windstream vs Dish TV Early Termination Fees
While Windstream internet plans can be canceled at any point without paying any early termination fees, the same cannot be said for a Dish contract. If you do make the decision to buy Dish TV alongside your DSL internet, just keep in mind that you could end up paying up to $480 if you back out of your contract early.
For renters or those who aren’t sure whether they will be in the same place long term, it may make sense to pass on Dish.
Windstream Kinetic TV Plans
In Lexington Kentucky, Lincoln Nebraska, and Sugar Land Texas, Windstream offers their own television service known as “Kinetic TV”.
Kinetic TV plans are only available in areas where Windstream has installed Fiber networks, although they will be expanding its availability in the near future.
Windstream Customer Support
In general, customer support for Windstream is not well regarded. They have low customer service ratings and an ACSI rating of , although this is pretty common to DSL and cable service providers. In general, you can expect to talk to US-based customer service representatives, which is an advantage when compared to some other internet service providers.
Frankly, while customer support may be an issue, that’s an unfortunate fact of life for the majority of internet providers. Getting issues resolved may take some persistence, but being polite and firm in your requests can often go a long way. For more information on how to resolve issues with your provider, check out our guide to negotiating pricing with your ISP.
Purchasing Service: Things To Keep In Mind
If you do make the decision to purchase Windstream internet, there are some general tips and guidelines to keep in mind. These guidelines apply to pretty much any ISP, and will help you get the best deal possible when you pick up the phone and call.
- Consider Bundles. Providers often heavily incentivize bundling services together, and in some cases you might actually end up spending less two get two services than you would to buy one individually. These low prices are designed to attract new customers, but the prices won’t always last indefinitely — which brings us to our next point.
- Consider Promotional Pricing. If a price seems too good to be true, it’s probably because it won’t last forever. Oftentimes prices will be guaranteed for a period of one or two years, at which point the price will jump up — sometimes significantly. When that happens, you can often get the price knocked by down by making a call to customer service, but you’ll have to keep an eye on your bill to know when to fight for those lower prices.
- Buy To Suit Your Needs. Windstream, like many other providers, offers a variety of speeds at varying price points. It might be tempting to opt for the fastest internet available, but if you’re just using your internet for basic web browsing and checking social media, there’s no reason you need a 50 Mbps connection. Conversely, heavy streamers might want to opt for a high speed plan so they don’t end up with stuttering video and regular buffering.
The most taxing activities on a DSL connection are streaming and downloading, so if you’re not planning on doing much of either you can often save a significant amount of money on your monthly bill by opting for a
Windstream Internet Plans for Rural Areas
Windstream DSL internet is a competitive option that is particularly useful for those in rural areas. With that said, it certainly has its drawbacks when compared to other ISPs.
Ultimately, Windstream DSL is one of the best options that rural customers have access to. Those in suburban areas of major cities may be better suited with Cable or Fiber internet, but those types of connections aren’t usually available in areas where homes are more spread out.
When compared to satellite providers and other DSL options, Windstream plans are usually a better bargain.