Viasat is one of the two major U.S. satellite internet providers offering service to nearly 100 percent of the country, reaching 327.0 million people. Satellite internet’s core strength as a technology is its universal availability over a wide area. Viasat satellite internet service isn’t as uniform as their competitor HughesNet regarding speed and quality of service offered. However, Viasat is available in all 50 states and some international areas, including the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico..
The caveat? Most Viasat customers need to determine if they have sufficient space for a clear view of the sky that looks to the South. This requirement can cause issues for customers who may have trees, buildings, or other obstacles obstructing their view. In fact, Viasat is able to provide in-flight connections to airlines for this reason.
ViaSat Internet Services
| Best features | Things to consider |
|---|---|
|
|
Viasat’s pricing is higher than what you’d see from a digital subscriber line (DSL) or even a fixed wireless provider. The monthly rate for Viasat plans ranges from $69.99 to $299.99 per month (excluding equipment fees and taxes). Viasat mainly charges customers based on usage – the more data you need, the more you pay. It is possible to see multiple plans with the same speed but with different data caps and prices.
| Plan name | Download speeds | Starting price | Soft data cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viasat Satellite | Up to 150 Mbps | $69.99 per month | Up to 500 GB |
Technically, with Viasat, all customers have unlimited internet. The data cap advertised with each plan is a “soft cap,” meaning customers who use more data than allotted will experience slower speeds to allow other subscribers priority. Visit our ViaSat internet deals and promotions page to learn more and see which plans offer the best deals.
Viasat Internet Speeds
Satellite service relies on sending and receiving data between a satellite dish in Earth’s orbit and a receiver dish installed on your home. While this setup is ideal in remote areas and for those who need internet access on an RV or boat, the distance in which data must travel limits satellite internet’s overall speed and ability to provide unlimited data. Despite these technical issues, Viasat internet offers a significant upgrade over some slower wireless or DSL speeds in rural areas.
Viasat is one of the fastest satellite internet providers offering download speeds up to 150 Mbps in some areas. Our Viasat speed test shows customers receiving an average download speed near 45 Mbps, higher than any plan HughesNet currently offers.