Kinetic by Windstream and Spectrum are two major ISPs that couldn’t be more different from each other. They provide entirely different types of internet service with speed tiers that mostly don’t overlap. But if you live outside but close to urban regions, you may have the option to choose between the two.
This guide helps you decide whether to choose Spectrum or Windstream Internet based on your needs and preferences. But before we contest Kinetic by Windstream and Spectrum by Charter, let’s look at some features both ISPs share.
Kinetic by Windstream and Spectrum: Similarities
Unlimited Data
Both Windstream and Spectrum Internet offer the incredible perk of unlimited data. No more fretting over those dreaded data caps—you can stream, download, and game to your heart’s content without the worry of overage charges.
No Term Contracts
Neither Windstream nor Spectrum locks you into those pesky long-term contracts. Say goodbye to feeling trapped by lengthy commitments and enjoy the freedom to switch or cancel your service without the hassle of early termination fees.
Promotional Offers
Both Spectrum and Windstream frequently roll out enticing deals that can include discounts, free installation, or bundles that combine the internet with other services like TV or phone. Plans are also often available at promotional prices for new customers.
Multiple Speed Tiers
Windstream and Spectrum both offer a range of speed tiers to cater to different needs. Whether you’re a casual web surfer or a hardcore gamer, there’s a tier that’s just right for you. Spectrum offers speeds from 300 to 1000 Mbps while Windstream has tiers from 100 to 8000 Mbps.
New Customer Guarantee
Both Spectrum and Windstream offer a 30-day guarantee for new customers. If you’re unsatisfied with the service, you can cancel within the first 30 days to get your money back.
The Big Difference: Type of Internet Service
The biggest difference between Spectrum and Windstream Internet is that Spectrum provides cable internet while Windstream provides DSL and Fiber internet. Here are the pros and cons of each of these:
Windstream DSL Internet
Windstream offers DSL internet service in most of its service areas. Short for Digital Subscriber Line, DSL uses existing telephone cables to provide broadband internet service. Download and upload speeds with DSL are typically slower than cable and fiber internet, but it’s much faster than dial-up and satellite internet.
Pros
Availability: DSL is widely available in many urban and rural areas where cable or fiber-optic internet may not be.
Affordability: DSL service typically costs less than other high-speed internet options such as cable or fiber.
Consistent Speeds: DSL provides a dedicated connection to your home, which means you get consistent speeds regardless of the time of day. Speeds with DSL are even more reliable than cable internet, which shares bandwidth among subscribers in the same service area.
Phone Service Integration: Since DSL uses the same copper telephone lines, it can be bundled with a traditional landline phone service. Other types of rural internet providers may not offer phone service.
Suitable for Light to Moderate Usage: DSL is capable of providing sufficient speeds for most everyday internet activities such as web browsing, email, and video streaming. Other rural internet services may not suffice for most homes.
Cons
Limited Speed: DSL internet tends to have slower maximum speeds compared to cable, and fiber internet. Speeds are typically limited to 100 Mbps.
Distance Matters: The quality of your DSL connection is influenced by your proximity to the telephone exchange or DSLAM. The signal degrades as it travels through the phone line, so the farther you are from these points, the slower your internet speed is likely to be.
Limited Upload Speeds: DSL often has significantly slower upload speeds compared to download speeds. This can be an issue for content creators and professionals who upload large files. Symmetrical DSL does exist, but it’s not offered in most areas.
Windstream Fiber Internet
Windstream is mostly known for its DSL service but also offers fiber internet to more than 150 residential communities in 18 states. In fact, Windstream is currently the largest ISP offering 8 gigabit fiber internet in the US. We can’t verify if Windstream Fiber Internet is available where you live, but you can ask Windstream customer service.
Here are the pros and Cons of Windstream Fiber Internet.
Pros
Super Fast Speeds: Windstream Fiber Internet offers speeds from 500 Mbps to up to 8 Gbps in some areas.
Low Latency: Fiber optic connections typically have lower latency than all other types of internet service.
Reliability: Fiber is less susceptible to environmental factors that can affect traditional internet connections such as DSL, cable, satellite, and fixed wireless access.
Symmetrical Speeds: Fiber is currently the only type of internet service that can provide high symmetrical speeds. All Windstream Fiber Internet plans have the same speed for downloads and uploads.
Dedicated Bandwidth: Like Windstream DSL, Windstream Fiber Internet is provided via a dedicated line. The speeds you get are not varied depending on the number of people online.
Long-Distance Transmission: Fiber-optic cables can transmit data over longer distances without signal degradation, making it better for rural areas than DSL and cable internet.
Cons
Availability: The most notable drawback of fiber internet is its limited availability. Windstream Fiber is currently available in only a small of the provider’s service areas.
Equipment Cost: You’ll need to purchase an Optical Network Terminal (ONT), which acts as a modem for fiber internet. But this one-time cost will only set you back about $30.
Spectrum Cable Internet
Spectrum is primarily a cable internet provider offering max speeds from 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps. It’s currently the fastest ISP in the US in terms of median speeds according to Ookla Speedtest. Still, since it’s cable, it lacks some of the specs Windstream Fiber easily affords.
Pros
High Speed: Spectrum is fast enough for most modern homes with max download speeds ranging from 300 Mbps to over 1 Gbps. This is much faster than Windstream DSL internet.
Wide Availability: Spectrum is one of the largest ISPs in the US and is widely available in urban and suburban areas,
Constant Improvements: Spectrum has been consistently improving its network to make cable internet competitive with fiber.
Bundled Services: Spectrum offers bundles that include discounts and free service. For instance, the Spectrum One offer adds Spectrum Mobile and Advanced WiFi to Spectrum Internet at no additional cost for 12 months.
Cons
Shared Connection: Spectrum cable internet uses a shared infrastructure, meaning multiple users in the same area share bandwidth. This can lead to network congestion during peak usage times, resulting in slower speeds. Windsteam Internet doesn’t have this problem.
Limited Upload Speeds: Upload speeds with Spectrum Internet are only a fraction of its download speeds. It’s not symmetrical like Windstream Fiber.
Not Availabe in Rural Areas: Spectrum Internet uses cable TV networks to provide internet service, so it’s not available in most rural areas.
Windstream vs. Spectrum: The Verdict
Windstream Fiber is superior to Spectrum Internet overall. It’s more reliable than Spectrum and features symmetrical speeds. But if Windstream only has DSL service in your area, Spectrum’s 300 to 1000 Mbps cable service may be better for you. If Spectrum is not an option, Windstream DSL is still faster and more reliable than fixed wireless access, satellite, and dial-up internet.