Since its inception in 2014, Kinetic has been redefining what it means to live in motion. The company’s dramatic entry into the internet market filled a gap that many internet service providers failed to acknowledge. Kinetic considered the need for faster and low-cost broadband connections for those residing in remote areas of the USA.

In this Kinetic internet review, we will explore why it has been named the best choice of internet for rural communities.  

Windstream Kinetic Internet Review

Windstream Communications launched its brand Kinetic with a cable TV service in 2014. Kinetic TV service needed high-speed broadband connections to transmit signals to consumers’ homes. The company started experimenting with DSL cables that could carry higher bandwidths over long distances.

By 2017, 50 percent of the company’s residential and commercial customers had access to reliable internet connections with faster download speeds.

The company continued to expand its internet, cable TV, mobile phone, and network security services across 18 states in the USA. Kinetic’s DSL internet connections with speeds up to 100 Mbps were available even in rural communities. To cater to the needs of its customers living in the metropolis, Kinetic swiftly adopted fiber internet and launched its 1 Gig and 2 Gig plans at very affordable rates.

Unfortunately, in April 2022, Kinetic discontinued its cable TV service, Kinetic TV, and instead switched to the streaming service called DirecTV.

Kinetic internet has an edge over its rival internet service providers in regards to the low cost of its monthly internet plans. Its basic DSL internet plans with speeds up to 50 Mbps start at $30 per month. The faster, fiber internet connections with speeds up to 200 Mbps start at just $40 per month. Another great advantage of being a Kinetic internet user is that the price of your internet connection varies depending on your location. In general, monthly plans are a lot cheaper for suburban and rural residents as compared to those living in urban localities.

Previously, in remote areas with limited internet connectivity people had two options. Either they would rely on expensive satellite internet connections or slow cable internet for their broadband usage. But Kinetic broke through this dichotomy and provided a middle ground with faster internet speeds and affordable monthly plans. For this reason, Kinetic has been voted the best and fastest broadband provider in the countryside.

Kinetic provides full to partial internet coverage in the following states of the USA:

  • Alabama      
  • Arkansas
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Iowa
  • Kentucky
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • New Mexico
  • New York 
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Texas

Pros

  • DSL and fiber internet provider
  • Fast-speed internet for rural areas
  • Affordable monthly internet plans
  • No-contract service
  • Unlimited data
  • Bundle deals for TV, internet, and phone

Cons

  • Available in only 18 states of the USA
  • Limited internet access in many cities
  • Fiber internet coverage is limited
  • The price of monthly plan will increase after 12 months
  • Poor customer service

Discussion on the Pros of Kinetic Internet

Kinetic internet currently provides two types of internet connections to its consumers. In rural communities, poor infrastructure cannot support the fiber optic network. Fiber optic cables are installed either underground (buried) or mounted on electric poles (aerial). The rugged terrain of the countryside lacks the facilities for mass excavation projects and pole installations. So, internet distribution via the existing DSL cables is the most appropriate method. However, Kinetic fiber internet with speeds up to 2 Gigs is available in big cities with fiber optic capabilities.

All the Kinetic internet plans are at least $10 cheaper than the plans offered by other major internet carriers in the area. For those living on a budget, Kinetic offers great value for the money paid.

When users subscribe to the Kinetic internet service, they are not required to sign a contract, and therefore, all Kinetic internet customers are free to walk out of the deal anytime. Kinetic does not charge a termination fee upon the cancellation of service.

You get unlimited data on all your internet plans regardless of the type of your internet connection. Kinetic also offers bundle plans at fairly low rates. Customers can combine their internet with DirecTV service and mobile phone plans to enjoy a truly ‘kinetic’ experience at home.

Discussion on the Cons of Kinetic Internet

Currently, Kinetic has very limited internet coverage even in the 18 states that it recognizes as its footprint. According to the data gathered by the Federal Communications Commission, only 2.78 percent of Americans have access to Kinetic’s internet service.

There is another disadvantage of subscribing to the kinetic internet plans. After the first 12 months, there is a hike in the monthly internet fee from around $10 to $15. It can be a considerable increase for families that bought Kinetic based on its affordability, especially when the internet speed remains unchanged.

Many Kinetic customers have criticized the company for its poor customer service. As per the American Customer Satisfaction Index, Kinetic had a score of 62 out of 100, which is way below the industry average. Nevertheless, the company continues to grow its customer pool annually with an addition of around 55,000 new broadband customers.

Kinetic Internet Plans Review

Kinetic offers fast-speed internet plans under three categories;

  • Kinetic Internet
  • Kinetic Fiber
  • Kinetic Fiber Gig

Kinetic Internet plans provide internet speeds between 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps via DSL cable connections. Its most popular DSL internet plan with speeds up to 50 Mbps costs between $30.00 and $39.99 per month (depending on your location).

Kinetic Fiber internet plans provide download speeds between 200 Mbps to 500 Mbps. The average price of these plans is $40 per month but after the expiry of 1st-year promo rates, you might end up paying $55 per month. 

Kinetic Fiber Gig internet plans are only available in a few selected metro areas. You get speeds between 1000 Mbps to 2000 Mbps for as low as $75 per month.

Internet PlanSpeedPromo PriceRegular PriceData CapContact Kinetic
Kinetic DSL 150 Mbps$30.00/mo$45.99/moNoneCall Now
Kinetic DSL 2100 Mbps$35.00/mo$55.00/moNoneCall Now
Kinetic Fiber 1200 Mbps$40.00/mo$59.99/moNoneCall Now
Kinetic Fiber 2500 Mbps$65.00/mo$69.99/moNoneCall Now
Kinetic Fiber Gig 11000 Mbps$75.00/mo$89.99/moNoneCall Now
Kinetic Fiber Gig 22000 Mbps$150.00/mo$169.99/moNoneCall Now

It is to be noted that all prices are subject to change and may vary depending on your location within the coverage areas.

Free Gig Upgrade

In some areas with fiber optic connectivity, Kinetic internet users get a free gig upgrade for the first three months of the service. It means that if you are subscribed to any of the Kinetic fiber plans with speeds between 200 Mbps and 500 Mbps, you can request your internet speed to be increased to 1000 Mbps without paying additional charges. But from the fourth month onwards, you will have to pay $30 on top of your monthly internet bills if you wish to continue receiving 1 Gig speed.

Other Costs Associated with Kinetic Internet Plans

Kinetic Internet is a no-contract service so you don’t have to worry about paying a fine or early termination fee if you cancel your service before the contract expires. But there are some costs associated with your Kinetic internet plans that you cannot escape.

Unless you already have a Kinetic-approved modem and router (or gateway) at your home, you will have to pay the monthly rental equipment fee between $7 and $10. The one-time activation fee for your Kinetic internet is $50. You will have to pay for this initial out-of-pocket expense but in return, you will get $100 credited to your account as a welcome gift for new customers. So, you get your money back with a 100 percent profit.

Windstream Bundles

As we mentioned earlier, all customers have the option to bundle various services offered by Kinetic into one value Windstream Bundle.

The most sought-after Kinetic bundle deal is the internet and home phone combo. For just $65.00 per month, users get internet speeds up to 200 Mbps, Wi-Fi availability, and unlimited nationwide calling.

Other Kinetic bundling options include:

  • Internet, DirecTV, Home Phone, and Security
  • Internet, DirecTV, and Home Phone
  • Internet and DirecTV
  • Internet and Security 

You can add Kinetic internet and device security feature to your plan for an additional $10 per month. There are three security plans that you can choose from:

  • Connect Secure (least expensive)
  • Self-Secure (moderately priced)
  • Total Secure (most expensive)

These security plans protect you against identity theft, malware, and hacking. With these security plans, Kinetic internet users will have access to 24-hour tech support and Kinetic Internet Security On-the-Go. 

Kinetic Internet Availability

Kinetic by Windstream Communications offers its services in 18 states of the USA. Even within these states, the availability of Kinetic internet is limited. For example, in states like Alabama and Mississippi, the internet concentration is limited to two or three major cities. Whereas, Kinetic internet is widely available in states like Georgia and Iowa.

Kinetic provides internet service mainly in the South East region of the country. Even though Kinetic’s footprint covers almost one-third of the country, its internet services are available to only 2.78 percent of the US population.

The DSL internet connections provided by Kinetic internet have wide-scale availability in rural areas. It was observed that Kinetic has almost 86 percent of the DSL internet market share in the 18 states where it provides coverage. It is mainly due to its high speeds and low cost that most country folks prefer Kinetic internet over other internet carriers.

Kinetic’s fiber internet availability is scarcer. Only 30 percent of its internet transmission is via fiber optic cables. Fiber internet is limited to a few selected towns and urban centers, and even then, most fiber internet customers only get speeds as high as 500 Mbps. Therefore, Kinetic internet has a lot of room for improvement in the fiber internet sector. In January 2022, the company announced its plan to invest $2 billion for fiber internet expansion across its 18-state footprint.

So, we can hope that in the next couple of years, more cities and towns will have access to Kinetic fiber internet.

Kinetic Internet Customer Service Review

Overall, Windstream Kinetic’s internet customer service ranks very low compared to other internet providers. Customers have expressed their dissatisfaction with the fluctuating internet speeds, unexpected price hikes, and poor customer service when calls were made to report a problem with the service.

Windstream Kinetic internet customer service was labeled as “below the industry average.” The American Customer Satisfaction Index gave it a score of 62 out of 100. In the J.D. Power consumer report for 2021, Kinetic was given a score of 682 out of 1000 for its unsatisfactory customer service.

Some customer reviews that are posted on the website, Consumer Affairs, indicate that Kinetic technical staff often takes weeks to troubleshoot problems. On a positive note, Kinetic was quick to respond to the online reviews and offered a genuine apology to the customers for having a bad experience with the service.

It is expected that with the expansion of the fiber optic network, Kinetic internet speeds will become more consistent throughout the country.

Conclusion

Kinetic internet users have a love-and-hate relationship with their internet provider. For those living in rural areas of the country, Kinetic is the best choice for fast and affordable internet. They get unlimited data, bundle options and download speeds of up to 100 Mbps for just $35 per month.

The grass is not as green on the other side as one may think. Many Kinetic customers are paying more than $50 per month for choppy connections, service disruptions, and disappointing customer service.

In conclusion to our honest Kinetic internet review, we will say that Kinetic can become an industry leader if standardized the prices are offered for of Windstream internet plans, trains its customer support representatives, and works on improving service reliability.

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Kinetic Internet Reviews