As internet, cable, TV and sometimes phone lines become more and more necessary for our ever-growing technological age, we search for the best company to use. Many of us have plenty of options, but for some of us we have ONE measly option: Windstream. As many of you know or have experienced, Windstream is not a very trustworthy or reliable company for internet or cable. Since I live in a small town, Windstream is our ONLY option, therefore giving them the control and power to dictate prices and availability with no competition. I’ve listed many of the issues or struggles that many of us Windstream subscribers have:

Over-paying

For Windstream users in my area, we are currently being charged $70 for 25 mbps. We are never guaranteed if or when our internet and cable will be working.

Unplanned Outages

Plenty of times, I’ve returned home with my wifi out and no explanation from Windstream as to why we have an outage. As I pay for my internet, I expect to be able to use it at any time of the day or night without any problems.

Poor Customer Service

Windstream is notorious for poor customer service. They never provide answers in an appropriate time and manner for complaints. I’ve requested internet since the beginning of August and still haven’t received internet in my apartment as of September 25.

Inability to provide services

Windstream doesn’t provide service that the customer pays for, especially in regards to internet speeds and the speed the customer pays for. Many customers have complained of upgrading internet but still only receive the minimum amount of mbps.

Monopoly

In many areas, Windstream is the only internet service provider. How they manage to be the only provider and not be considered a monopoly I will never know. They hold many small towns in America hostage with their expensive rates because they have no competition. In most cases, the consumer wins when companies compete because it helps keep costs low and offers another service provider if you are unhappy with a company.

Having problems with Windstream’s services is nothing new. There are tons of groups on Facebook where you can share your distastes for the service and company, as well as plenty of reviews online of the company and the services it provides. Being a college student and needing internet to be successful in school, it has been difficult living off campus without internet and having an online class. Maybe as Windstream continues to lose more and more customers, they will begin to change the company for the better. I also hope that communities band together and go to their local government and Windstream branch to express their grievances and problems with Windstream. As Internet and other services become hot commodities I hope that Windstream begins to listen to its consumers and change their ways. If Windstream doesn’t begin to cater to the customer, then the company could meet its demise. Simple business: without customers, a company can’t survive.