Best Satellite Internet Providers – All That You Need to Know

We already know that when it comes to the service coverage area, satellite internet wins. And when we discuss satellite internet providers in the United States, two providers secure the top spots. HughesNet and Viasat are two prominent names.

We have dug some important reports from the FCC and made a steady comparison of features, which mater the most. We can ensure you will be able to pick the right provider for yourself after you have skimmed through this blog.

Let’s dig deeper!

An Overview of All the Features

Features	HughesNet	Viasat
Monthly Price	$49.99 to $129.99	$50 to $100
Download Speeds	25 Mbps	12 -100 Mbps
Upload Speeds	3 Mbps	3 Mbps
Contract Requirement	For 24 months	For 24 months
Data Cap	10GB-50 GB	12GB-50GB
Monthly Equipment Fee	$14.99 per month	$10 per month
Installation Fee	Free Standard Installation	Free Standard Installation
Early Termination Fee	Yes	Yes
Option to Purchase Equipment	$15 per every remaining month of the contract	$15 per every remaining month of the contract
Availability	Nationwide	Nationwide

Prices and availability depend upon area. This table updated on 29th August 2019.

This table has given you a clear picture of what to expect from both these top providers. In this Viasat Vs HughesNet comparison, you can figure out which features you would prefer to have.

Rural Availability

The biggest perk of satellite internet is its widespread availability. People who live in suburbs and beyond the limits of cities, they can rely on satellite internet for the connectivity needs. Since it is functioning via a satellite, it will even reach the places where there are no cable and DSL providers.

Satellite providers offer you a solid gateway to the internet. The two major players in this arena, namely HughesNet and Viasat, outshine all others in comparison. Both cover almost 50 states as well as Puerto Rico. Once you are done with reading this comparison, you can always plug in your address to see what options you have.

Internet Speeds

Speeds	HughesNet	Viasat
Download Speeds	25 Mbps	12 -100 Mbps
Upload Speeds	3 Mbps	3 Mbps

 

Internet speed is a little tricky when it comes to satellite internet. This form of internet has to undergo a journey of 45,000 miles to the satellite hung in space and then back to your dish receiver. Therefore, experiencing pauses and connection breakups are evident.

And while traditional cable internet providers boast of speeds in the triple, quadruple digits, the satellite internet has only celebrated achieving a speed of 100 Mbps. And that too, quite recently. Viasat offers 100 Mbps speed in limited areas. So, when it comes to a more reliable choice, Hughesnet Gen5 is a better choice. It keeps you connected to the world. It also provides more stable speeds.

Data Caps

Data Features	HughesNet	Viasat
Data Cap	10GB to 50GB	12GB to 50 GB
Bonus Data	50GB a month to be used between 2 am – 8 am	Data not metered between 3 am – 6 am
Overuse Penalty	Internet Speeds are reduced to 1 Mbps-5Mbps	Internet Speeds are reduced to 1 Mbps-5Mbps

HughesNet has a tiered approach when it comes to data limits. With Hughesnet Satellite Internet, you get to choose from the following speeds:

• 10 Mbps.
• 20 Mbps.
• 25 Mbps.
• 30 Mbps.

In most areas, it offers 25Mbps of speed, even for its cheapest plans. Viasat, on the other hand, offers 100 Mbps speed in select areas. HughesNet is yet to achieve this speed.

Cost

Pricing	HughesNet	Viasat
Monthly Price	$49.99 to $129.99	$50 to $100
Promotional Price	$49.99 to $99.99 (for the first year)	$10 a month for six months in a bundled choice (Voice + Internet)

Prices and availability depend upon area. This table updated on 29th August 2019.

Since affordability is one of our prioritized merits, the aforementioned table clearly indicates the pricing range of both providers. HughesNet offers 4 pricing options. While Viasat offers 7 pricing options, depending on your location. With this flexibility in packages and pricing, you can choose what suits you.

Reliability

The FCC has recognized HughesNet twice for delivering the same as it advertises. 85 percent of the HughesNet subscribers have reported that they get advertised speeds or even faster. 75 percent of the Viasat subscribes have reported experiencing far slower speeds than the provider advertised.

This clearly indicates the more reliable provider. Also, with additional features like HughesNet Mobile App, the provider has won the trust of most of its clientele.

Customer Service

Customer Care Services	HughesNet	Viasat
Additional Support	$7.95 per month for basic express repair	$5.99 per month for EasyCare
Additional Support	$11.95 for premium express repair	–

Prices and availability depend upon area. This table updated on 29th August 2019.

We are yet to witness excellence is customer care services in the world of internet. And that’s true for cable and DSL providers too. Satellite internet providers, with limited capabilities and slower speeds, are not great at customer support.

However, Hughesnet Customer Care offers additional support. It offers basic and premium express repair choices. They take care of equipment malfunctions and service glitches.