Windstream in our area is pathetic as well.  A close friend used them for a while and was getting similar results (similiar end of line situation).  He couldn't hardly use his internet, much less watch videos.  He now has a 5 mg service that is useable and hopefully will get a 15mg service soon.  I have 15 mg fiber to my house and rarely wait for anything to buffer.   I can download 1gb ISO files in less than 15 minutes.