Kinetic by Windstream Internet for Seniors

Kinetic’s Internet Plans and Speeds at a Glance

Internet speeds, plans, and prices will vary by location.

The Breakdown: Kinetic’s Internet Plans for Seniors

All internet plans receive whole-home Wi-Fi setup (valued at $160). Kinetic will send certified technicians to your home to evaluate and install all necessary equipment to connect and optimize your Wi-Fi network and get rid of any dead zones. Kinetic, however, doesn’t include security features like CenturyLink, which includes CenturyLink Security by McAfee in their plans.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

The placement of your internet equipment can make a major difference, so I appreciate that Kinetic’s certified technicians will set up your equipment with any plan, ensuring that your setup is optimized for the fastest speeds. It can be tempting to hide your equipment for aesthetic purposes, but you should make sure to listen to your technician’s advice. They’re the professionals after all!

Kinetic 300 for Light Internet Users

The Kinetic 300 plan with download speeds up to 300 Mbps is an entry-level internet plan that could power regular usage of Facebook, Netflix, and FaceTime in a household of five or six users for just $39.99 per month with no contract required. Unlimited data means there will not be any caps on your usage and you won’t experience any reduced speeds. On the contrary, the most common issue is not speed, but the lack of range. To combat this, many people purchase a range extender to reach the nooks and crannies of their homes.1

Kinetic 1 Gig or 2 Gig for Streamers and Large Households

If the grandkids visit often and you need to accommodate more users, jumping up to 1 Gbps or 2 Gbps will let you handle a household of seven to 10 users. These plans also have no contract or termination fees, and they are powerful enough for advanced use. Users in your home can stream movies, exercise videos, or video games; download large files at lightning speed; and attend Zoom sessions simultaneously. Keep in mind that plan prices and speeds vary by location. They also offer Kinetic Fiber 8 Gig for $299.99 per month.

Does Kinetic Offer a Senior Internet Discount?

Kinetic does not offer a senior discount, but there’s still a lot to like. None of Windstream’s plans have long-term contracts or data caps. With that flexibility, you can cancel or change your service without being charged an early termination fee, which makes it easier to find the best plan for you.

Want to learn more about how to get discounts on your internet service? Watch the video below.

Is Kinetic by Windstream Available In My Area?

Like Cox, Kinetic is available in just 18 states. Kinetic provides service in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas.

Kinetic is available to only 3 percent of U.S. residents— mostly those who reside in rural areas. That indicates Kinetic’s commitment to regions with low population density. Cox Communications, for comparison, has even less coverage, but it’s available to twice as many people due to its coverage in major cities such as San Diego and Phoenix.

Kinetic Bundles to Get the Best Deal

A majority of Americans — some 98 percent — own a cell phone of some kind.2 Kinetic offers bundles that include phone service, but not as many as Xfinity, which is our top pick for bundling options.

When you bundle Kinetic’s 300 Mbps plan with AT&T wireless, you can save an extra $20 per month. (For comparison, with T-Mobile you get a $15 discount for adding a voice line to any plan.) When you bundle AT&T wireless with the 1 Gig Kinetic plan, you save $20 a month and get a $100 prepaid Mastercard. If you bundle AT&T wireless with the 2 Gig plan, you save $20 per month and get a $200 prepaid Mastercard. Plus, you can get free whole-home Wi-Fi setup ($160 value) and free Kinetic Secure for three months (normally $14.99 per month). It’s not a bundle offer, but Kinetic also partners with DIRECTV for your entertainment needs.

How Does Kinetic Compare to Other Internet Providers?

Spectrum is comparable to Kinetic, but the better service will boil down to whether fiber or cable is offered in your area. Spectrum is the second-largest cable internet provider in the country and covers more areas of the U.S. than Kinetic by Windstream. Watch out, however, for large price hikes on all plans after 12 months.

Kinetic’s fiber service represents a good value. Kinetic's 1 Gbps plan, for example, is available for $39.99 per month, whereas Spectrum’s comparable plan costs $70 per month.

Similar to Kinetic, Xfinity doesn’t offer any senior discounts, but their internet rates start at $19.99 per month with a one-year contract. Like Kinetic, you can save $20 per month if you add mobile service on select Xfinity plans with Xfinity mobile. Both companies also have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

AT&T internet offers contract-free plans, discounts, and a loyalty program, while Kinetic doesn’t have a loyalty program. All AT&T internet plans come with the AT&T Internet Security Suite powered by McAfee, while Kinetic requires paying separately for security features. AT&T offers fiber internet in only 21 states, but that still beats Kinetic’s availability.

The Bottom Line on Kinetic by Windstream

Kinetic is best for people who live in rural areas. As you get closer to cities and suburbs where fiber-optic is available, you get more bang for your buck with faster speeds for lower prices. The base speed of 100 Mbps is affordable and can accommodate five or six devices, which would be perfect for a family of light to moderate users or a couple of heavy internet users. Windstream offers unlimited data, low equipment and installation fees, and no contracts. They also have a strong record of fewer major outages than competitors such as Xfinity and Spectrum. All in all, Kinetic is an affordable provider with a variety of options for most older adults.