Satellite Internet is a compelling option for many people. With its ability to reach virtually any location with a clear view of the sky, satellite Internet is widely available. While satellite Internet has a lot of benefits, such as its broad reach, traditional cable Internet may be better depending on your location. So, is satellite Internet right for you, and should you get satellite Internet? Learn all about satellite Internet, from what it is to who should use it!
What is Satellite Internet?
Satellite Internet relies on satellites in orbit that transmit Internet service. An in-orbit satellite sends a signal to a dish receiver, which then pipes it to a modem. Your modem is a box that interfaces between an Internet signal and your home network, such as your Wi-Fi router. To receive satellite Internet, you’ll only need a clear view of the sky.
Satellite Internet vs. Cable – How is Satellite Internet Different Than Cable?
When compared with a more conventional cable-based Internet service, satellite Internet is decidedly different. Whereas a satellite broadcasts a signal to a dish receiver with sat Internet, cable Internet instead requires a terrestrial network. Underground cables send signals using either coaxial cables, such as cable TV coax cords, or fiber optics for faster data transmission speeds. Providers, including Spectrum, Cox, and Infinity, offer cable Internet as well as television service.
What are the Pros and Cons of Satellite Internet – Satellite Internet Price, Speed, Latency, and More
The main draw of satellite Internet is its wide availability. Because it doesn’t require underground cables, satellite Internet is a fantastic solution for delivering Internet virtually anywhere that maintains a clear view of the sky. Notably, rural areas lacking cable service and RVs benefit greatly from satellite Internet.
However, that flexibility comes at a cost – quite literally. The average satellite Internet package is more expensive than a comparative cable service. Satellite Internet price is generally higher than a cable Internet package, with costs averaging around $100 USD per month.
What’s more, satellite Internet does come with data caps, lower speeds, and higher latency (the time it takes a signal to travel from a device to a server) than cable Internet. An average satellite Internet speed is about 31 Mbps, with download speeds up to around 100 Mbps.
Satellite Internet pros:
- Off-grid access
- Perfect for rural areas lacking cable Internet infrastructure or RVs
- Internet connectivity anywhere with a clear view of the sky
Satellite Internet cons:
- Higher price than cable Internet
- Data caps
- Slower Internet speeds than cable Internet
- Higher latency
Satellite Internet Speed – How Fast is Satellite Internet?
Because of advancements in satellite Internet technology, you can get Internet from space with perfectly usable speeds. For instance, satellite Internet is more than fast enough for streaming from services such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+. Netflix recommends just 3 Mbps for standard definition (SD) streaming quality, at least 5 Mbps for high definition (HD) streaming in 1080p, or 25 Mbps for Ultra HD (UHD) 4K resolutions.
Of course, while 25 Mbps may be sufficient for watching a UHD Netflix stream, remember that 25 Mbps is enough for just that – a single Netflix 4K Ultra HD stream. If you want to multitask with your Internet connection, you’ll want at least a 50 Mbps download speed. Typically, satellite Internet will max out around 150 Mbps, while cable Internet can achieve speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps.
Still, there’s latency to consider as well. Although satellite Internet can work well for streaming video buffer-free, gaming on a satellite Internet connection may not be ideal. Online multiplayer titles and cloud game streaming services such as Google Stadia and Amazon Luna may suffer from high latency, which will impact your gaming experience.
Satellite Internet download speeds: 25-100 Mbps
Who is Satellite Internet Best for?
So now for the real question you’re wondering: “Should I get satellite Internet?” Satellite Internet is an excellent solution for off-grid Internet access. Residents of rural areas can get Internet easily with simply a clear view of the sky. Likewise, RVers can outfit mobile homes and camper vans with satellite dishes, which therefore provide Internet services on the go.
But for the average consumer in a more urban or suburban area, a cable Internet service is best. You’ll enjoy faster speeds, lower latency, and more generous data caps if there’s a data cap at all. Ultimately, satellite Internet works extremely well for most everyday uses such as web browsing, video conferencing, and streaming video. However, it’s better suited to consumers in rural areas and RVs than those with easy cable Internet access.
Should I get satellite Internet?
Yes if you…
- Live in a rural area
- Have an RV
- Don’t have access to a cable Internet provider
No if you…
- Have easy access to a cable Internet service
Best Satellite Internet Providers – HughesNet vs. Viasat
If you’re seeking a solid satellite Internet provider, HughesNet and Viasat are two of the top choices. Viasat boasts faster Internet speeds with up to 100 Mbps connections. HughesNet, on the other hand, features a standard download speed of 25 Mbps across the board, albeit at a lower cost than Viasat.
In addition to its better download speeds, Viasat offers free installation and built-in wireless networking. Yet, Viasat requires a 2-year contract, includes a price hike after 3 months of service, doesn’t roll over unused additional purchased data at the end of the month, and restricts streaming video quality. With its Platinum tier, Viasat allows for full 1080p HD streaming video. Despite the technical capabilities to handle 4K UHD streaming on a 25 Mbps or higher connection, Viasat limits streaming quality by packages.
Contrastingly, HughesNet comes with a standard connection speed of up to 25 Mbps. Higher tier plans unlock higher data caps. But to overcome limitations on data usage, HughesNet features a Bonus Zone between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. local time. During this period, any data used doesn’t count towards your monthly data allowance. Rather, HughesNet delivers 50 GB of Bonus Zone data.
HughesNet does offer a Video Data Saver feature that can automatically adjust video streaming to conserve data. However, this Data Saver option limits streaming video to 480p, which is DVD quality. If you do a lot of streaming and are worried about hitting a data cap, you may want to toggle on Data Saver. Pro tip: if you’ve got satellite Internet, embrace physical media by signing up for a DVD by mail service (yes, you can still get DVDs or Blu-rays via the post), and buying a 4K Blu-ray player.
Both Viasat and HughesNet offer free installation as well as built-in wireless networking. And with either satellite Internet provider, you’ll need to sign a 2-year contract. For faster download speeds and higher data caps, stick with Viasat. Opt for HughesNet if you want a more affordable pricing structure at the expense of lower connection speeds. With advanced satellite Internet providers such as Starlink on the horizon sporting speeds of up to 150 Mbps, satellite Internet is poised to only improve.
Viasat pros:
- Fast networking speeds up to 100 Mbps
- Up to 300 GB data cap
- Free installation
- Wi-Fi included
Viasat cons:
- Streaming video quality restricted to 1080p with the Platinum package
- Purchased data doesn’t roll over to the next month
- Price increase after 3 months
- Required 2-year contract
HughesNet pros:
- Affordable pricing
- Includes video data saver
- Additional data purchased rolls over to the next month
- Wi-Fi built-in
HughesNet cons:
- Only 25 Mbps download speed available – higher tiers only unlock higher data caps
- 2-year contract required
- After data allowance speeds are down-throttled
Should I Get Satellite Internet – Final Thoughts
Overall, satellite Internet has made great strides with its ability to deliver up to 100 Mbps download speeds virtually anywhere. There are cost-effective plans from providers such as HughesNet and top-notch speeds from companies like Viasat, all without requiring a terrestrial cable infrastructure. Therefore, satellite Internet is a great solution for residents in rural areas or in RVs who can’t utilize a more traditional cable service.
While satellite Internet works quite well for even high-definition video streaming and casual gaming, its higher price, slower maximum download speeds, and added latency versus cable Internet mean that if you can sign up for cable, you’ll benefit from faster connection speeds at a lower price versus a comparable satellite Internet plan. Yet, its wide availability and impressive performance, particularly considering that it’s essentially Internet from space, makes satellite Internet an excellent option for consumers without reliable cable providers.
Your turn: Are you using satellite Internet? If so, which providers do you recommend?
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