Top Two Satellite Internet Providers: An In-Depth Review
Explore the top two satellite Internet providers—HughesNet and Viasat—whose services cover most of the country. Learn about their plans, pricing, data limits, and equipment options, especially for remote areas. Discover how these providers compare in speed, data caps, and early termination fees to make an informed choice for reliable satellite internet service.
Top Two Satellite Internet Service Providers
An insight into the leading satellite Internet companies
In the country, there are over 2,600 internet providers, including fixed wireless, fiber-optic, DSL, cable, copper, mobile broadband, and satellite services. However, for those in remote areas, satellite providers are often the only option despite higher costs and data limits.
Here’s a look at the two main satellite Internet providers currently operating nationwide.
Which satellite service providers cover the most population and where are they available?
HughesNet – Serving approximately 309 million people across all 50 states, HughesNet offers speeds up to 15 Mbps.
Viasat Internet – Covering around 308 million residents in all 50 states, Viasat provides plans with speeds reaching 25 Mbps.
Big Bend Telephone – This provider serves roughly 13,775 residents in a single state with speeds around 3 Mbps.
X2nSat – Operating across seven states, X2nSat offers satellite services in select regions nationwide.
Which companies are leading in satellite Internet services?
Based on current data, the top competitors are:
Though HughesNet led until last year, Viasat has gained prominence since 2018.
Viasat’s recent satellite launches have enabled better plans, higher speeds, and competitive pricing.
This has allowed Viasat to offer unlimited data options with faster speeds at lower prices compared to HughesNet.
What pricing and plans do the top providers offer?
While both providers have limited acceptance of new installations in some areas, Viasat generally delivers more data and higher speeds for a comparable cost.
Viasat’s prices tend to increase significantly after the initial three months, whereas HughesNet maintains consistent pricing for up to two years.
Overall, Viasat provides more data at a lower average price than HughesNet.
What are the early termination costs for satellite plans?
Viasat – Ending the contract early incurs a fee of around $15 for each remaining month, regardless of how long the service has been active.
HughesNet – Early termination fees can reach up to $400, depending on remaining contract months.
What data limits do these providers impose?
Viasat – Has largely eliminated data caps, offering plans with 40 to 150 GB per month, with no extra charges for exceeding limits, though speeds may slow down.
HughesNet – Data is not cut off after limits, but speeds drop to 1-3 Mbps until the next cycle; users can purchase extra tokens to restore speeds.
How can customers obtain equipment from these providers?
HughesNet – Offers equipment leasing at about $10-$15/month or an outright purchase for approximately $249.99, excluding installation fees of around $200.
Viasat – Equipment can be leased at $10/month, with no setup charges; a lifetime lease plan costing about $300 is available for those committing long-term.
