Viasat delivers high-speed satellite internet to homes and businesses across the United States, especially in rural and remote areas where cable or fiber service isn’t available. With nationwide satellite coverage, Viasat connects millions of customers who need dependable internet for streaming, working from home, online learning, and everyday browsing.
Internet is an essential utility, so if your home doesn’t connect to land-based or 5G internet networks, we recommend Viasat’s satellite internet.
You’ll have access to the internet, home of the sum of human knowledge (and our friendly website). Viasat is the one of the better satellite internet internet service provider right now, as it has faster speeds and no data caps compared to Hughesnet. It’s our top satellite pick for best rural internet providers in the United States.
But Viasat comes with high costs (monetarily), and the soft data cap means significant slowing after you hit your limits. So if you’re thinking of getting Viasat for your weekend getaway cabin rather than a primary residence, consider if the cost is worth it. Maybe you should forfeit streaming capabilities for more time listening to the birds sing.
But if you need to replace your land-based internet, like Xfinity, AT&T, or CenturyLink, look elsewhere. Cable and DSL services are your better bet for quality internet, as satellite internet providers like Viasat are not meant to be a cable internet substitute.
Data effective as of publish date. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
Viasat doesn’t offer much in the way of huge internet or service deals beyond a $10 off promo on Viasat Voice for three months. However, we are fans of Viasat’s Hibernation Plan. After you’ve been a Viasat customer for one month, you can switch to the $19.99-per-month Hibernation Plan for two to six months. This leave of absence is a great way to save money if you live at your Viasat residence for only a few months out of the year.
Unlike DSL and cable internet, satellite internet doesn’t have standardized technology for modems. That means you won’t be able to find a third-party modem—you have to use what Viasat provides.
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You have to lease your equipment from Viasat for $15 per month or buy it outright for $250. Heads up—Viasat’s combo modem/Wi-Fi router will provide wireless coverage, or you can use your own wireless router..
These equipment rental prices are pretty typical for internet providers, but we’re extra bummed to see them from Viasat. Since there’s no option to buy this equipment elsewhere, we’d rather see it included in the Viasat internet cost from the get-go.
Viasat no longer has hard data caps with overage fee penalties, but as with most ISPs, its unlimited data policy comes with some fine print. Although the Unleashed plan has unlimited full-speed data, Viasat reserves the right to slow your internet down during high-traffic periods if you’re nearing 850 GB of data in a month. Essentials does the same, except its soft limit caps out at 150 GB of monthly data..
By comparison, Starlink has similar standard and priority data tiers, but it’s more generous with its data allotments (40GB, 1TB, and 2TB for between $140 and $500 per month). In practice, most satellite internet users will struggle to consistently hit this data ceiling, but Viasat’s data policy may be an issue if you’re trying to get enough internet bandwidth for a family.
Viasat also offers an internet/phone bundle under the name Viasat Voice. The Voice half of the bundle is $25.00 per month for the first three months—a $10 savings and not a bad price compared to similar providers..
Viasat Voice isn’t a traditional landline or cell plan. It’s a VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol. This means that it relies on your satellite internet connection instead of phone lines and cell towers. It might be a good option if you would otherwise have a spotty cell connection in your area. It also offers unlimited local and long-distance calling in the United States and Canada, none of which will count against your monthly data caps.
Also, keep in mind that Viasat offers only internet service, so you’ll have to look elsewhere for TV service. Go for DISH and DIRECTV for satellite TV—you can compare them both in our head-to-head review.
Viasat is a satellite internet provider that delivers broadband service via satellites instead of cables or phone lines.
Speeds can reach up to 150 Mbps in select locations, with multiple tiers depending on your area.
Viasat is available in most U.S. locations, particularly rural and remote regions where wired internet is limited.
Plans include unlimited data, but speeds may slow after priority data is used during network congestion.
Yes. Viasat supports streaming, video calls, and browsing, though latency is higher than fiber or cable.
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