Windstream vs. Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative
Which is better where you live? Coverage, speed, price and customer ratings, side by side
Check which is available at your address
Whether you’re researching Windstream vs. Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative internet service at your current address, comparing internet options for potential locations, or just researching alternatives, this detailed comparison will help you understand which provider best suits you.
Which is better, Windstream or Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative?
Windstream is faster and available to more people. Where both are offered (about 56,485 people), Windstream has the faster top speed for 98% of homes.
| Windstream |
|---|
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| Price: $19.99 - $79.99 / mo. |
| Speed: 10 - 2,000 Mbps |
| Internet Type: DSL, fiber, fixed wireless, and cable |
Rating (Reviews): (99) |
| Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative |
|---|
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| Price: Unavailable, please see site for details |
| Speed: 10 - 1,000 Mbps |
| Internet Type: Fixed wireless, fiber, and DSL |
Rating (Reviews): (1) |
Windstream vs. Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative at a glance
| Measure | ||
|---|---|---|
| Available to | 8.3 million people in 19 states | 63,984 people in 2 states |
| Main technology | DSL 89%, fiber 56%, fixed wireless 6%, cable 3.4% | Fixed wireless 70%, fiber 48%, DSL 6.3% |
| Top download speed filed with the FCC | 2,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps |
| Fastest plan we list | 2,000 Mbps | Not listed |
| Starting price | $19.99 a month | Not listed |
| Cheapest plan, first 2 years | $480 (100 Mbps plan) | Not listed |
| Customer rating | 3.4 of 5 (98 reviews) | 2.0 of 5 (1 reviews) |
| Rated for speed | 3.4 of 5 | 2.0 of 5 |
| Rated for price | 3.0 of 5 | 3.0 of 5 |
| Where both are offered | About 56,485 people (88% of Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative's area); Windstream is faster for 98% of them, the same top speed for 1.8% | |
Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.
Where Windstream and Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative are available
Windstream and Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.
Both Providers Available | Windstream Available | Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Available | No Coverage
Windstream currently offers internet service in 5,467 cities and 710 counties across 19 states, reaching approximately 8,678,961 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Charlotte, NC; Atlanta, GA; and Lexington, KY.
Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: Windstream coverage map and Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative coverage map.
Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether Windstream, Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative or both are offered at your home.
Windstream vs. Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Speeds and Technology
Windstream and Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.
In terms of potential speeds across the country, Windstream offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,069 Mbps compared to Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative’s average speed of 478 Mbps.
The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. Windstream’s premium Fiber service reaches 53.8% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative’s top-tier Fiber is available to 47.3% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.
Windstream vs. Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Plans and Prices
Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Windstream, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table. Unfortunately, Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative has not complied with FCC requirements to provide their broadband label data, limiting transparency and the ability for consumers to make direct comparisons.
If you represent Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative, getting listed is simple: publish your machine-readable broadband label file, or send your current plan lineup through our contact page, and your plans will appear here shortly after verification.
Windstream Internet Plans & Pricing
| Plan | Monthly Price | Typical Download Speed | Typical Upload Speed | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber 100 Mbps | $19.99 | 100 Mbps | Not listed | Fiber |
| Fiber 300 Mbps | $34.99 | 300 Mbps | Not listed | Fiber |
| Fiber 1 Gig | $39.99 | 1000 Mbps | Not listed | Fiber |
| Fiber 2 Gig | $59.99 | 2000 Mbps | Not listed | Fiber |
| Fiber Max 2 Gig | $79.99 | 2000 Mbps | Not listed | Fiber |
Sourced from pricing published on Windstream's official website, last verified June 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.
Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.
Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.
Windstream vs. Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Customer Ratings and Reviews
Compare how real customers rate Windstream and Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.
Windstream vs. Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Fees and Details
Beyond advertised monthly rates, additional fees and service details significantly impact your total internet costs. The tables below outline equipment charges, installation fees, contract terms, data caps, and other important factors to consider when comparing these providers. Understanding these details helps you avoid unexpected costs and choose the plan that offers the best overall value.
Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative has not provided standardized fee information through their FCC broadband label data. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to assess their true service costs beyond advertised rates. For current fee information, we recommend contacting Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative directly or reviewing their terms of service documentation.
Windstream Service
Fee
Not Provided by Windstream
Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Service
Fee
Not Provided by Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative
Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.
When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.
Windstream vs. Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Pros and Cons
Windstream
From 61 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.
Pros
- Fast speeds: praised in 21 of 61 written reviews (15 call it slow). "I am happy with the speed"
- Reliable connection: praised in 19 of 61 written reviews (12 report outages). "when it's working it's fairly reliable"
- Helpful customer service: praised in 12 of 61 written reviews (7 fault the service). "has a trustworthy customer service"
Cons
- Bills that go up: a complaint in 9 of 61 written reviews. "We plan to keep them after the price increases"
- Equipment problems: a complaint in 4 of 61 written reviews. "numerous issues with their Modem Router"
Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative
Too few written reviews to sum up yet (1); these lines come from our data.
Pros
Cons
Windstream vs. Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Top Cities
Windstream serves 5,467 cities while Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative is available in 21 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.
Windstream Cities
- Availability: 24.94%
- Avg. Download Speed: 990 Mbps
- Availability: 5.26%
- Avg. Download Speed: 1,234 Mbps
- Availability: 94.07%
- Avg. Download Speed: 630 Mbps
- Availability: 13.12%
- Avg. Download Speed: 1,521 Mbps
- Availability: 92.63%
- Avg. Download Speed: 441 Mbps
Overlapping Cities
- Windstream Avg. Speed: 1,695 Mbps
- Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Avg. Speed: 450 Mbps
- Windstream Avg. Speed: 1,789 Mbps
- Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Avg. Speed: 752 Mbps
- Windstream Avg. Speed: 1,606 Mbps
- Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Avg. Speed: 42 Mbps
- Windstream Avg. Speed: 1,942 Mbps
- Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Avg. Speed: 10 Mbps
- Windstream Avg. Speed: 1,943 Mbps
- Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Cities
- Availability: 73.36%
- Avg. Download Speed: 449 Mbps
- Availability: 98.29%
- Avg. Download Speed: 722 Mbps
- Availability: 67.01%
- Avg. Download Speed: 42 Mbps
- Availability: 98.81%
- Avg. Download Speed: 10 Mbps
- Availability: 57.91%
- Avg. Download Speed: 332 Mbps

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