Windstream vs. Liberty Communications
Whether you’re researching Windstream vs. Liberty Communications 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.
| Windstream |
|---|
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| Price: $39.99 - $99.99 / mo. |
| Speed: 10 - 2,000 Mbps |
| Internet Type: DSL, fiber, fixed wireless, and cable |
Rating (Reviews): (87) |
| Liberty Communications |
|---|
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| Price: Unavailable, please see site for details |
| Speed: 10 - 1,000 Mbps |
| Internet Type: Fixed wireless and fiber |
Rating (Reviews): (0) |
Windstream and Liberty Communications compete directly in approximately 0.52% of their service areas, with Windstream covering 8,666,574 people nationwide and Liberty Communications serving 67,637. Windstream primarily delivers internet through a DSL connection; Liberty Communications specializes in fiber connections. Jump directly to specific sections using the links below, or continue reading for our comprehensive comparison of Windstream and Liberty Communications's availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction.
Jump to: Availability | Speeds | Plans & Pricing | Customer Reviews | Fees
Windstream vs. Liberty Communications | Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Fast upload speeds
- Service available in rural areas
- Offers discounted intro pricing
- Wide range of plan options
Cons:
- Limited service availability
- Installation fees apply
- Contracts required for best pricing
Pros:
- Fast upload speeds
- Service available in rural areas
- Fiber service available
- Works with smart home devices
Cons:
- Limited service availability
- Higher speeds require premium pricing
- Speeds fluctuate during peak usage hours
Windstream vs. Liberty Communications | Availability
Windstream and Liberty Communications 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 | Liberty Communications Available | No Coverage
Windstream currently offers internet service in 5,504 cities and 713 counties across 19 states, reaching approximately 8,666,574 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Charlotte, NC; Atlanta, GA; and Lexington, KY. By comparison, Liberty Communications serves 67,637 residents in 111 cities and 14 counties in 1 state, with a presence in population centers such as Mount Pleasant, IA; Fairfield, IA; and Centerville, IA.
Internet availability can vary significantly even within specific cities and zip codes. For the most accurate information about Windstream and Liberty Communications at your location, use our address search tool:
Windstream vs. Liberty Communications | Speeds & Technology
Windstream and Liberty Communications utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.
Across their service areas, Windstream primarily delivers internet through DSL, available to 96.4% of their customers. They also offer fiber to 50.4% of their coverage area. Liberty Communications relies on fiber technology, which comprises 29.7% of their network, with fixed wireless available in 84.6% of their service locations.
In terms of potential speeds across the country, Windstream offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 807 Mbps compared to Liberty Communications's average speed of 512 Mbps. When examining their overlapping service areas, Windstream delivers faster speeds in 31.64% of locations where both providers operate, similar speeds in 9.81%, and slower speeds in 58.56%.
The availability of each provider's fastest technology varies significantly by location. Windstream's premium Fiber service reaches 50.4% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Liberty Communications's top-tier Fiber is available to 29.7% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.
Windstream vs. Liberty Communications | Plans & Pricing
Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Windstream, sourced directly from FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband labels to ensure transparency and accuracy. Unfortunately, Liberty Communications has not complied with FCC requirements to provide their broadband label data, limiting transparency and the ability for consumers to make direct comparisons.
We've included the available Windstream plan details below to help you understand their offerings while we await Liberty Communications's compliance with federal transparency requirements.
Windstream Internet Plans & Pricing
| Plan | Monthly Price | Typical Download Speed | Typical Upload Speed | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinetic Internet 300 | $39.99 ($39.99 after 12 months) | 300 Mbps | 300 Mbps | Fiber |
| Kinetic Internet Basic | $39.99 ($39.99 after 12 months) | 50 Mbps | 10 Mbps | DSL |
| Kinetic Internet 100 | $50.00 ($50.00 after 12 months) | 100 Mbps | 20 Mbps | DSL |
| Kinetic Internet 1 Gig | $69.99 ($69.99 after 24 months) | 1000 Mbps | 1000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Kinetic Internet 2 Gig | $99.99 ($99.99 after 24 months) | 2000 Mbps | 2000 Mbps | Fiber |
Note: These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across 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. Liberty Communications | Customer Ratings & Reviews
Compare how real customers rate Windstream and Liberty Communications based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.
Windstream Ratings & Reviews
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
Cable
DSL
Fixed Wireless
Windstream has an overall rating of 3.36 out of 5, with a total of 87 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.
Looking deeper into Windstream's ratings, their DSL service (52% of reviews) averages 2.98 / 5 stars, higher than their overall company rating. This similarity suggests that customers tend to have consistent experiences across their different service offerings, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.
For detailed reviews, visit our Windstream Internet Reviews page.
Windstream vs. Liberty Communications | Fees & 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.
Liberty Communications 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 Liberty Communications directly or reviewing their terms of service documentation.
Windstream Service
Fee
Equipment (gateway) rental
$10.99
Professional installation fee (if applicable)
$35
Activation fee
$60
Liberty Communications Service
Fee
Not Provided by Liberty Communications
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. Liberty Communications | Top Cities
Windstream serves 5,504 cities while Liberty Communications is available in 111 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.
Windstream Cities
- Availability: 24.82%
- Avg. Download Speed: 689 Mbps
- Availability: 5.25%
- Avg. Download Speed: 992 Mbps
- Availability: 94.71%
- Avg. Download Speed: 570 Mbps
- Availability: 13.15%
- Avg. Download Speed: 1,038 Mbps
- Availability: 93.13%
- Avg. Download Speed: 388 Mbps
Overlapping Cities
- Windstream Avg. Speed: 165 Mbps
- Liberty Communications Avg. Speed: 566 Mbps
- Windstream Avg. Speed: 208 Mbps
- Liberty Communications Avg. Speed: 550 Mbps
- Windstream Avg. Speed: 908 Mbps
- Liberty Communications Avg. Speed: 735 Mbps
- Windstream Avg. Speed: 887 Mbps
- Liberty Communications Avg. Speed: 500 Mbps
- Windstream Avg. Speed: 588 Mbps
- Liberty Communications Avg. Speed: 419 Mbps
Liberty Communications Cities
- Availability: 93.43%
- Avg. Download Speed: 564 Mbps
- Availability: 90.59%
- Avg. Download Speed: 544 Mbps
- Availability: 98.99%
- Avg. Download Speed: 729 Mbps
- Availability: 100.00%
- Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps
- Availability: 97.44%
- Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps
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