Satellite internet access utilizes satellites in space to provide connectivity, making it an option for rural areas without cable or fiber availability. Technological improvements have increased speeds and reduced latency. I compare the leading residential satellite internet providers in North America – Viasat, Starlink and HughesNet – across crucial decision-making factors.
How Satellite Internet Works
Internet data is transmitted wirelessly between ground stations, satellites in orbit 22,000 miles high and small receiver dishes at customer premises. Uplinked data is relayed through the nearest satellite to a ground station, then out to fiber networks and websites. This two-way communication allows internet browsing, video streaming and other usage but latency is higher than ground-based internet.
Geo-stationary satellites were previously used but now many providers, including Starlink, utilize networks of hundreds of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites to enable more responsive connections. LEO constellations in closer proximity to Earth cut latency while expanding coverage.
Ideal Uses for Satellite Internet
Satellite shines for rural residents beyond reach of cable or fiber. Its availability anywhere with a clear view of the sky makes it invaluable for remote businesses, vacation homes, RVs or maritime vessels too. Satellite handles typical modern internet usage like email, social media, streaming and work tools, but online gaming or videoconferencing may struggle.
While satellite competes well on speed with outdated DSL, it can‘t match fiber or good cable connections. But for the fiber-less, satellite is leaps beyond old dial-up – my how far we‘ve come!
Viasat Satellite Internet
Viasat is an established leader in satellite internet, serving over 1 million residential and business customers across the Americas. They promote high-speed plans up to 100 Mbps with unlimited data and built-in WiFi in their dish hardware.
Viasat Internet Plans and Pricing
| Plan | Speeds | Data | Price |
| Bronze 12 | 12 Mbps | 45 GB | $50/month |
| Silver 12 | 12 Mbps | 60 GB | $70/month |
| Silver 25 | 25 Mbps | 60 GB | $100/month |
| Gold 50 | 50 Mbps | 100 GB | $150/month |
* Internet speeds are "up to" advertised
* Unlimited data after usage limit at reduced speeds
* 2 year contract required
* $10/month equipment lease
* Discounted plans through Affordable Connectivity Program
Viasat Performance and Reliability
Satellite inherently can‘t match the responsiveness of ground networks but Viasat leaps past earlier satellite with their latest ViaSat-3 satellites utilizing extreme high capacity Ka-band spot beams. This improves speeds significantly while reducing latency down to ~600 ms. Reliability is generally strong given their broad 3-continent coverage.
Who Viasat Works Best For
Viasat is a great fit for rural residents seeking good speeds with high data limits unavailable from old DSL lines. The built-in WiFi handles numerous devices well. Businesses will appreciate Viasat‘s Premium plans with higher speeds and priority tech support.
Starlink Satellite Internet
Starlink makes waves as the new kid on the block, rapidly expanding their low earth orbit satellite constellation. With over 3,000 satellites planned by 2030, Starlink promises high-speed low-latency broadband internet globally.
Starlink Plans and Pricing
| Plan | Speeds | Price |
| Standard | 100-200 Mbps | $110/month |
| Premium | 300 Mbps | $500/month |
* No data caps
* $599 upfront hardware cost
* Ship to service address in covered areas
* Portability options available
* Order deposit fully refundable
Starlink Performance and Reliability
Starlink‘s low earth satellites beam strong signals resulting in excellent speeds, low latency around 20-40 ms and consistent uptime. While coverage has gaps currently, planned expansion will achieve near global coverage.
Who Starlink Works Best For
Starlink brings high-speed internet on par with strong cable plans but available virtually anywhere. Their revolutionary approach delivers outstanding performance for the most demanding applications like video streaming, gaming and video calls.
HughesNet Gen5 Satellite Internet
HughesNet pioneered satellite internet over 25 years ago. Their latest generation EchoStar XIX satellites power HughesNet Gen5 with enhanced speeds, reliability and built-in WiFi coverage.
HughesNet Plans and Pricing
| Plan | Speed | Data | Price |
| 10 GB | 25 Mbps | 10 GB | $59.99/month |
| 20 GB | 25 Mbps | 20 GB | $69.99/month |
| 30 GB | 25 Mbps | 30 GB | $99.99/month |
| 50 GB | 25 Mbps | 50 GB | $149.99/month |
* Speeds are "up to" 25 Mbps
* Unlimited data after allowance at reduced speeds
* 2 year contract
* $15/month equipment lease
* Built-in WiFi router
HughesNet Performance and Reliability
HughesNet Gen5 improves markedly on earlier versions but latency remains quite high around 750 ms. Peak speeds can reach 25 Mbps although average speeds tend to be 50-60% of maximum. Service uptime and reliability are generally satisfactory.
Who HughesNet Works Best For
HughesNet gives rural residents lacking other options a viable internet connection for light browsing and standard media usage. The built-in WiFi simplifies connectivity for multiple devices. Data intensive users may require pricier plans to avoid overages.
Comparing Satellite Providers
| Viasat | Starlink | HughesNet | |
| Speed | Up to 100 Mbps | 100-500 Mbps | Up to 25 Mbps |
| Latency | ~600 ms | 20-40 ms | 750 ms |
| Data Limits | 45-100+ GB/month | Unlimited | 10-50 GB/month |
| Price | $50-$150/month | $110-$500/month | $60-$150/month |
While Viasat and HughesNet offer competitive packages, Starlink pulls ahead on technical merits with excellent speeds, low latency and no data caps. But coverage is still expanding with Starlink so others may serve users better currently based on location.
Choosing Your Best Satellite Internet Provider
Here are key questions to help decide the right residential satellite internet provider for your situation:
What speeds and data allowance suit your household needs?
Starlink offers the fastest unlimited data connections while Viasat and HughesNet better fit lighter usage. But don‘t pay for 1 Gbps fiber speeds if 10-25 Mbps satellite plans suffice for your usage.
How reliable is coverage in your area?
While satellite footprint keeps growing, remote tower-based ISPs using fixed wireless may offer more reliable service in some ultra rural settings currently.
Are you comfortable with a contract?
Viasat and HughesNet require 2-year contracts while Starlink offers more flexibility. But contracts sometimes exchange for cheaper service pricing.
What level of hardware expense fits your budget?
Equipment purchase fees run cheaper with Viasat and HughesNet versus Starlink but compare total long term costs. Installing yourself or hiring an installer are other considerations.
The Outlook for Satellite Internet
The satellite internet industry is shifting into higher gears after years of measured evolution. We can expect providers to continue expanding coverage across more of North America and the world. Next generation satellite fleets promise higher broadband capacities to handle HD and 4K streaming demands affordably.
Starlink represents a game changer, on track to deliver fiber-like speeds most anywhere with low latency performance in line with competitive online gaming needs. We should continue to see lower costs and advancing capabilities from the full swath of satellite internet providers as this connectivity ecosystem grows.
For rural residents desperate for better internet, that light at the end of the tunnel is the glimmer of low earth orbit satellites racing around the planet to connect the disconnected among us.
