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Review by dmwalker24 
member for 103 days, 15 visits, last login: 86 days ago
lodged 89 days ago
 Hico,Hamilton,TX
 $90 per month about 4 days "It worked as advertised for nearly 3 years" "It has been terrible for 3 months and they will do NOTHING about it." "I would say avoid them, but when there's only one choice available that might be hard."
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Worked fine for 3 years. Then Jan. 2013 it goes to complete and utter crap during peak hours. I'm only subscribed to 1.5Mb, but most evenings I get aprox. 10% of that. When it is at its worst, just loading a webpage will cause the connection to drop. Detailed network testing reveals windstream network flow control is actively restricting the speed.
Many calls to tech support and I would have gotten better responses from a bag of rocks. Opened a forum post in Windstream Direct here, and after 3 weeks I have ZERO to show for it. No ETR, No real explanation, Nothing but the worst kind of "we're sorry you are having that issue" responses. Translation should read... "We're sorry you're bothering us with your insignificant concerns and we neither know or care what the resolution for them might be".
If any company I ever worked for providing computer support had treated its customers this way they would have been sued or broke in very short order. The only reason Windstream gets away with it is because they have no competition and they lined their pockets with government hand-outs. They are essentially lazy welfare queens who refuse to get off their asses and provide the service that they are oh so happy to take people's hard earned dollars for.
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Review by Xander
member for 1.1 years, 212 visits, last login: 4 days ago
lodged 91 days ago
- London,Laurel,KY
- Contract price not specified.
- "No Data caps,Decent support.Very good and dependable phone service."
- "Over priced for the speed.Some CSR's are rude.Slow at getting things done."
- "Decent ISP over all."
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In my area Windstream has always provided the service that was offered.There has been some outages,that could not be helped.Its the nature of the internet,you will have outages,so thats not really a con.Out of 5 years i have been with Windtream i have only had 2 outages and 1 failed modem,the issues were always resolved with a decent amount of time.
I also think the price is a little to much for the speed.Windstream has recently upgraded there equiptment in my area (London Ky)which i am thrilled to see.So far my 24Mbps has been working very well,i had few minor issues with the service when it was first installed,after a few tweaks it all worked out well.The installer did a sloppy job in my NID,i did have to go back and clean it up,it was no big deal though.Other than that i can not complain.My services are working and is decent and i do get what i pay for and a little extra.
I
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 Reviews:
 ·Time Warner Cable
 ·Windstream
·Windstream
| dsl You must live right in the heart of London I live out East 80 about 4 miles and the service sucked so bad I moved over to TWC fought with Windstream for over 3 years trying to get a 3 meg service to give something other then dialup speeds there is even fiber cable run right through my area back in 2010 but it does not feed our dslam which I'm about 2000 feet from. I'm glad you have good service must be nice. | |
| | Xander
join:2012-04-12
London, KY Reviews:
·Windstream
| Re: dsl No,i am actually off Hwy 229 near the dollar general store,that is also about 3 miles.I am about 0.5 miles from the DSLAM and 2900' from the CO.I have just moved here into this house,but even when i lived 4 more miles down hwy 229 near Benges Gro. my 12Mbps service was great.From what i read on the forums daily i guess you can say i am lucky.
I have just switched from Time Warner,which i didn't like because the cable service sucked,the HD was shit and the cable box rebooted every hour.I called TwC for a truck roll it took them a week and they didn't fix the issue.The problem was i am in the former New Wave area as they say...London wasn't even the Lobby i used they had me use the Corbin,Ky Lobby.I was even routed through Corbin.Just a lot of problems,they couldn't even get my Account info correct.
Anyhow from what i hear Windstream is deploying DLSAMs every 6000' in London,Ky they have already started,i am on one now.Also i hear that the latest DSLAM there building is over on Sallys Branch Road.As mad as you were at Windstream over your speeds (i have read your post before) i would swicth back when they get the new DSLAM up and running.My service is very good and the congestion is only 45%.My latency has never been above 50Ms even during peak hours,and i usually test 25-27Mbps on my speed test.Here lately my latency has even got better,the ping test shows 25-30Ms and the routing is also ok 9 Hops to google and never over 33Ms per HOP.There is another location in London where my friend lives (Hwy 363) He says his speed and Latency has improved by Far.
Xander. | |
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·Time Warner Cable
·Windstream
·Windstream
| Re: dsl Actually I think a new dslam was constructed next to the old one I can almost see it from my house I did contact Windstream but they say 3 meg is the best I can get which I find ludicrous they tell me that i'm on the very edge of 3 meg service I really don't know who to contact to get this fixed. So far TWC broadband has been great I have the 15/1 service and always get that speed or better I have been with them since June 2010 no problems so far I also are in the Newwave area and am serviced out of Corbin and your right the TV end is much to be desired. | |
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Review by nightrider38
member for 118 days, 25 visits, last login: 50 days ago
lodged 94 days ago
- Sheridan,Grant,AR
- $51 per month
- "NOTHING!"
- "Slow speeds. .07to .01 connection speeds. No tech help at all!"
- "Don't use Windstream for internet if possible"
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I have worse than dial up speeds. I can not open a google page search engine a lot of times. Windstream just says sorry "latency outages in your area" It is the only service in our area. I don't understand why they dont just tell you, that there is known slow problems in your area before you purchase.
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Review by jellisii
member for 277 days, 32 visits, last login: 65 days ago
lodged 96 days ago
- High Springs,Alachua,FL
- Contract price not specified.
- "Tech support is often friendly"
- "Tech support is often hamstrung"
- "In the location I am, I can't recommend. I hope it's better other places."
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Probably the best idea that I can give is in this thread: »[Troubles] Big latency and slow speeds in North Florida
Unfortunately, the direct support thread that I have going has not been much better. 6 months, and it's still broken. The only other option I have in this location is satellite. Being a gamer and having to do remote desktop work from time to time, it's not an option, but seeing as how bad the service is, it may be better for everything else I do.
I want to believe that a company is always working hard to keep its customers happy. I just don't get that impression from this one, despite how cordial and sometimes even friendly the support group can be.
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 Review by Bobec
member for 12.3 years, 1637 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 97 days ago
- Jefferson,Jackson,GA
- $40 per month
- (24 month contract)
- "When things work: they work well"
- "Inadequate/slow response to problems: Customer Service/Tech Support are virtually useless"
- "Caveat Emptor: It can be really good or really bad and take a long time to fix"
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The good observation: Once Windstream gets you up and running, my experience for the first couple of years was mostly positive relative to the reliability of the connection and consistency of the speed.
The 'bad' observation: Whenever problems arise (plunging speeds during peak & evening hours, frequent disconnects, etc.) Windstream doesn't respond quickly and they either don't communicate to customers or they provide conflicting status updates. Tech Support will routinely close trouble tickets before problems are actually fixed, without validating with customers that normal service has been restored. You'll need to make multiple calls to report the same problem. Example: My 12MB service has been mostly reduced to dial-up speed for the last 6 months and the only response from Windstream has been "We are evaluating the situation in 2012 for possible resolution sometime in 2013." Yet....Windstream continues to bill me for 12MB service that it does not provide!
Slow response to connectivity/speed problems, poor communication between various departments within Windstream, vague/infrequent responses to customer complaints, and weak procedures related to follow-up and problem resolution are the things that seem to characterize the Company.
I should note that the field technicians (the guys who come to your house to help diagnose/fix issues) have been reliable and helpful---they seem to have accurate information about what the lines and DSLM can and cannot support in my area, they know if there are bigger issues impacting my area, and they know how to fix problems.
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Review by Raymcc
member for 7.6 years, 34 visits, last login: 78 days ago
updated 98 days ago
- Clayton,Rabun,GA
- Contract price not specified.
- "It works kinda now"
- "Lots and lots"
- "If I had a good alternative choice I'd switch!"
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So I read a post here that said if you downgraded your service you could fix the connection issues. I had 3MB rock solid for years until Alltel sold to Windstream, then Windstream offered me 6MB DSL. No end of problems ever since, multiple tech support calls just to get it working, then often it barely worked and techs to the house etc., Last tech said I should consider myself lucky to have internet in NE Georgia and I was at the edge of the network which was his last input into why it didn't work, after checking the wiring in the house, all fine as I knew, swapping out the perfectly good existing modem etc.,
So I changed the service to 3MB and hey presto, solid service again. I hope this helps other people. Unbelievable I had to research this myself, and was basically lied to by Windstream all along by many people. In principle I would normally boycott a company for this and had this not worked I would have tried other options but I want to keep the phone line active as it's how my monitored alarm system is monitored. Which is really the only reason I haven't gone to cable, and I have ran ethernet cable through the walls etc. from a central point. 3MB does for now, but it's hardly sufficient for the future.
Was told, a several week long "outage" they argued with me about how long it was out and when I called in, I got a $15 credit or something, I just wanted it working. Then it was a bad PIN etc., NO, it was offering a service level you cannot provide. If you'd just been honest you'd have saved us both hassle.
»www.speedtest.net/result/2498182600.png
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| | I wish I could say everything you said was not accurate. But having Windstream is a problem here in Oklahoma too... My opinion is ..... there is no competition. No one will cross over into someones else territory..... I consider it a monopoly...We are bound to a service, just because "they installed the phone lines" or go and pay three times for the same bad quality.
Amazing to me is in this day and time, why are we tethered to a phone line? I haven't been to MIT or have a degree... but this is ridiculous. | |
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Review by TX USMC ret
member for 2 years, 5 visits, last login: 39 days ago
updated 103 days ago
- Cleburne,Johnson,TX
- $39 per month
- "Absolutely nothing good"
- "Where do I start???????????????"
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I have had several "latency" issues since joining just over 3 years ago. Unfortunately, it is the only choice around here, so it is take it or leave it. And they know it. Signed up for 3MB service. Worked ok for a little while, then started getting slower speeds. After MANY calls, issue was resolved for a few months, then it started again. Got the typical canned EXCUSE (they figure an excuse is much better than fixing the issue), that there is a latency in the area and THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED. I wonder if they have ever really listened to that excuse. That is like saying "we are completely incompetent". What would they think of a company that fed them that same line, "we have no idea when it will be fixed". Well here recently they downgraded me to 1.5 MB, WITHOUT NOTIFYING ME IN ADVANCE". I called them today, and the customer disservice excuse was, you are not in a 3MB area, so we cannot give it to you. I informed them I had (unbelievably) received close to 3MB for several months prior to this last "latency", so asked why I cannot receive it now. Their response was basically, "DUHH, we don't know". (To use an old cliche, I wish I had a nickel for every time they said "we don't know"). Basically, if you have a choice, avoid this company like the plague (scratch that, the plague is preferable). They are the only choice in my area, and being so they know they can drag their feet and we cannot do anything about it. My next contact will be with the FCC to lodge a complaint with them. If you are thinking about Windstream, just be advised that for them DSL stands for Disappointingly Slow Latency.
Update 02/04/2013 - Filed complaint with FCC. Probably will not do any good, but makes me feel better
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sam26
join:2012-11-16
Macon, GA | follow up Will you let us know if the FCC says anything? Tell the FCC to look on this site to get an idea of how windstream is ripping us off. | |
| Reviews:
·Windstream
| FCC Contact the FCC this will at least add to the count, and Windstream will have to explain why they are having problems. You should get a copy of their response to the FCC and if they state the issue is resolved, you can provid response to the contrary. If you are really having issues don't wait...do it. | |
| | | Windstream constant service issues Windstream is heavily oversubscribed in my area. I get 80% of promised speed in the middle of the day but it reduces to 10% to 20% after 7PM. | |
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Review by kcharles125
member for 104 days, 0 visits, last login: 104 days ago
lodged 104 days ago
- Lincoln,Lancaster,NE
- $60 per month
- "Nothing"
- "Everything about this company. Take a look at how they run theyre company, especially financial."
- "Avoid at all cost! Activism needs to happen, Windstream needs to be put to the chopping block!"
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Previous customer with WiFi/land line telephone, promised 6mbps upon sign up, never got above 2.75mbps, wih the norm just above 1.26. Land line is chock full of dropped calls both incoming, and outgoing, constant static-popping-echos, and so forth. This is from 2009 to 2012.
Now share said service with roommate, in his name. We were promised 13mbps, we have never gotten above 1.75mbps, with 0.45 going out, the WiFi does not work 99% of the time, I kid you not, we have been a customer since Nov. 2012 and have yet to recieve a bill, have called several times about all of this with no help. I actually had a guy laugh at me over the phone.
This company does not have a sound business model, has no financial responsibility, refuses to update they're Infrastructure, they are dishonest, and they prey upon monopolies, and what they deem as stupid people.
Avoid this company at all cost, like the plague, even if they have a monopoly in your area resist the urge to try, or keep them, take a portion of that bard earned money, and drive to a.WiFi hotspot, heck you will have money for food, or whatever.
I fully Intend to write reviews, tell everyone I know and meet, and actively picket this company. I hope, and pray they're risky business practices in the market bites them hard, and they go out of business. Let the banner fly, and the horns sound, America, let's drive this horrible company out.
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| | Windstream is scum Agree with almost all you said, but you're wrong about one thing. This company has a solid business model. Don't be naive. Here is what they are doing.
They are throttling back speeds (especially weeknights after 7pm & weekends) because in doing so they use less bandwidth and data. They purchase their bandwidth from nearby data centers, so every month they have to make payments for what is used. Less data used = lower payments for them, meanwhile they are charging customers the same price no matter what. This = a vast increase in profits for them. Its robbery, make no mistake about it.
Windstream is smart like a fox in that they usually service areas where they have little to no competition from other service providers. So they really don't care if they piss off their customers. They aren't worried about losing customers. Not enough to make a difference in their bottom line anyway. Their thought process is "where they gonna go?"
That my friend IS their business model. They are scum, but they are no different from any other rural service provider who does the same thing. The instant they get competition Windstream will sell the entire company to a larger provider like AT&T and laugh all the way to the bank. Hell, they're laughing all the way to the bank right now. | |
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Review by foxsnipr
member for 4.7 years, 230 visits, last login: 7 days ago
updated 104 days ago
- Waco,York,NE
- $34 per month
- about 30 days
- "Lost all hope"
- "Lots of talk and empty promises, connections drop, usually provide 1/2 speed promised"
- "If there was another provider I would have switched a long time ago"
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I've had service for several years now, everytime they upgrade they promise more DL speed, never UL speed. I signed up for 6mb DL and still am waiting and using 1.5mb. They keep promising but they still haven't made good on anything. They provide a router a Speedstream 4200, no one installs it, they mail it to you with instructions (thankfully I know how to plug it in). Tech support is sketchy, best to call late nights and get someone who knows what is going on, but is not able to do anything about it. day time all you get is promises and the usual 'it's not their fault'. Tonight I was at dial up speeds and tech support wasn't able to do anything. Getting a tech to come out is impossible, I've requested one and they find some excuse around it. Maybe they don't have anyone that actually works in the field on their stuff.
DL & UL 12 hours later have gone from good back to worse, in between dial up and 1mb. It appears that at certain times of the day is when these problems arise. You don't suppose Windstream needs upgrades or something?
See added comments
10-28-2009 The forum Tech Support is awesome! They were able to get things up and running, no problems. Thanks guys!
11-2011 Back to SSDD...called and asked about 12mb package for $5 and was told that my area it would cost $15/month more! Getting 1/3 DL speeds at best most of the time. Tech Support not being too responsive or committal. If I had any other options would change in a heartbeat.
01-2013 Same thing again....now 12 mb down is .70....if they can't keep up with cutomeers then offer them a refund
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Review by Slipen
member for 3 years, 388 visits, last login: 1 days ago
updated 104 days ago
- Cairo,Grady,GA
- $80 per month
- "It has not exploded yet?"
- "Consistent below .50mbps speed"
- "Avoid this provider at all cost, constant lies and bs"
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Updated : 9-26-12 It has been almost two years since I started having issues with the dsl Windstream. They refuse or don't know how to fix the problem, continue to sell service on a DSLam their own techs tell me are way overloaded already. They give you an every revolving 6 month time frame as to when it will be fixed that never happens. You either have to get on at 1-5am for your service to work anywhere close to what you pay for, at peak times you might as well just get off the computer and watch tv because your connection slows to a crawl with speeds of .15,.25,.45 out of 3.0. When you call and ask about the upgrades that were suppose to be in place to fix the speed/latency issue they have no idea what you are talking about. If you are stuck with this as your only broadband provider the best thing you can do is file a formal complaint with the BBB and the public service commission in your state. Windstream knows in a lot of rural areas they are the only provider and will treat you like crap once you are a customer, they will lie and tell you that you can stream videos and play games on the connection (which is true) if you get over half the speed you pay for.
7/30/12 Avoid this provider if at all cost, if you live in an area where they have no competition you will not get any upgrades or decent service. They are notorious for overselling their product. The techs will tell you they don't know why they are still selling DSL in your area when the DSLam is @ 98% capacity. You can expect to be lied to and when you complain about it only get 10.00 credit for your troubles. We were told February 2011 when we started getting constant sub .50mbps connection that they would have it fixed by June of 2011 at the latest, we called back in July the ETR was moved to Dec of 2011 and then to Jun 2012 and now Dec 2012. I was told by a tech yesterday don't expect them to spend any money on your DSLam. They have no competition where you are so they have no fear of losing you. DO NOT GET THIS SERVICE IF YOU CAN HELP IT!!
When we first got DSL years ago it was a blessing, able to finally play our online games, Netflix, Youtube and such. We had been seeing consistent speeds of 2.5+ 95% of the time (paying for 3.0). This is not the case now, repeated calls to tech support (we will send a tech out) 3-4 days pass nothing happens, still slow speeds. My upload is beating my download speeds. We call back, tech support has no record of us calling or them telling us they would send someone out.
Rinse and repeat for basically the last 2-3 months, can't stream movies half the time, don't even think about playing an online game that requires quick response time. My 3G phone seems to be faster most of the time than my dsl. If you want to watch a youtube video hit play then pause it and walk away for awhile. 40 dollars of my 80 dollar phone bill is for the dsl, I am not even receiving half the speed I am paying for. When we could get 1.5 it seemed faster than the 3.0 we have now.
It is basically a crap shoot on what kind of internet you will have when you sit down at the computer now. I just go ahead and reset the router,modem and pc before I try to do anything. We use to be able to XBOX it play wow and stream a movie without a problem now you are lucky if you could do any of the one at a time.
»www.speedtest.net/result/2092251694.png
It is now the 3rd of Feb and 3 days past my last ETR, my connection is still crap at non peak and peak times. I am just waiting for my "new" ETR since this one came and went.
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Windstream - poor choice
