Best Satellite Internet Providers
What Is Satellite Internet?
Satellite internet makes use of satellites in orbit to send internet service to satellite dishes on homes and businesses of customers in areas where options like DSL, cable, and fiber aren't available or where the existing broadband service is unreliable. For many people around the country, satellite broadband may be the only option outside of dial-up, and it's a reliable option for people who travel full-time in RVs or on boats.
How Does it Work?
When your satellite broadband system is set up, your ISP will beam the internet signal to a satellite dish in space that will then relay the data to you via a dish installed on your home, business, or vehicle. Whenever you do something online - load a web page, download a file, make a transaction, send an email - the request first travels to the orbiting satellite before it goes to the ISP, and then the completed request is transmitted back to the satellite and to your device via your dish.
How Fast Is Satellite Internet?
Satellite internet can vary greatly in speed depending on the provider and plan that you select. Typically you can expect to receive download speeds up to 25 Mbps and upload speeds up to 3 Mbps.
One of the biggest drawbacks of satellite broadband is the lag experienced when data is transmitted between you and your provider's satellite. But for most online activities, a tiny lag won't even be noticeable. The two most common activities where this lag becomes obvious are online gaming and VPN usage. When playing fast-paced online games, you may experience a small delay that makes these games hard to play online.
If you don't use your internet for fast-paced gaming or VPN usage, satellite can actually be a faster option than DSL for everyday activities like browsing, shopping, and emailing.
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Who are the best satellite internet providers?
Frequently Asked Questions about Satellite Internet
What Is Satellite Internet?
Satellite Internet provides internet connection through geostationary satellite beams. A geostationary satellite sits 22,300 miles over the earth’s equator and moves west to east with the earth. There are three separate satellites needed to make a connection to the user’s computer. First you send a request to the satellite in space (i.e. a page download), which then sends a signal to the ISP hub, and then back to the dish at your house.
Who Are The Top Satellite Providers?
When looking at top internet providers, it is important to consider things such as pricing, speeds, data caps, and internet support. Based on those criteria, the top satellite providers are:
- HughesNet: HughesNet offers more plan options than their competitors and they also have low monthly rates.
- ViaSat: ViaSat has the fastest speeds of any satellite provider and with the Liberty Pass, you are still able to browse the internet after you have used all you anytime data.
Who Is The Largest Satellite Provider?
HughesNet services over one million customers worldwide, making them the largest satellite provider. There strongest demand and fastest speeds are located in North America. HughesNet recently launched a new satellite, EchoStar 19/ Jupiter 2, that will attract even more customers in the coming months.
How Fast Is Satellite Internet?
On average, users are able to reach download speeds of 15 Mbps and upload speeds of 3 Mbps. With newer Ka band satellites, users can reach speeds of up to 50 Mbps.
How Much Does Satellite Internet Cost?
Satellite options often come in tiered packages depending on your personal browsing needs. Prices can range anywhere from $40-$150 depending on the kind of speed you need.
Why Should I Get Satellite Internet?
If you live in a remote area, satellite internet is your best option because many cable options are only available in well connected areas. Satellite internet is fairly to easy install as well, because you only need a dish, modem, and a powersource.
Using the same infrastructure as cable television, cable internet access has quickly grown in popularity among ISPs and consumers alike. Generally offering faster speeds than a DSL line, it's often the first choice when looking to use the internet for things such as streaming, gaming, or just visiting some of your favorite sites.
Pros
- Increased download speeds
- Widely available
Cons
- Shared bandwidth
- Reduced upload speeds
With the fastest speeds available through fiber, it's the perfect choice for the modern user. Through fiber internet, fiber-optic lines carry the signal back and forth from your home or business at near instantaneous speeds. It's one of the newest technologies on the market and demand is growing faster and faster.
Pros
- Lightning fast download speeds
- Highest upload speeds
Cons
- Higher cost
- Lower Availability
A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is a method of connecting to the internet through an existing telephone line. Faster and more reliable than dial-up, DSL has been the choice for most Americans ever since it gained traction in the late 1990's. Seeing as all that's needed is a telephone line, most households and businesses will have some form of DSL to choose from.
Pros
- Available to most addresses
- Highly reliable connection
- Affordability
Cons
- Reduced upload speeds
- Slower than other lines
Really meant for homes or businesses without grounded lines available, satellite internet access can be found almost anywhere. Using a geostationary satellite to connect you with the wider world online, all that is needed is a clear line of site to the southern sky and you'll have no problem connecting to the web.
Pros
- Available almost anywhere
- Multiple plans available
Cons
- Lag when gaming
- VPN incompatible
- Data restrictions
Fixed wireless is a form of internet that uses directional radio antennas to connect to your home or business. Great for areas that don't have access to cable, DSL, or fiber, it allows you to have internet access without the often prohibitory price tag that getting those lines laid would cost.
Pros
- Fast download speeds
- No lines required
Cons
- Weather affected
- Antenna required