5 satellite ISPs you should consider when switching from terrestrial internet

A good internet connection is a basic necessity for most people. It’s essential for education, health care, and other sectors, and anyone who enjoys streaming services, online gaming, or other such activities needs it. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines high-speed broadband as download speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 20Mbps. Under this definition, 45 million Americans lacked access to high-speed broadband as of December 2022.

While most people have an internet connection powered by fiber or cable, this infrastructure isn’t available across the country. A widely available alternative you should consider is satellite internet. Here’s what’s available on the market.

5

Starlink

Offering the fastest speeds on the market

Starlink is your best bet when it comes to availability. According to the FCC, Starlink was available to 99.7% of Americans as of June 2024. The project functions under Elon Musk’s SpaceX venture and has four plans. These plans have different costs and limits. Its residential plan, which the company says is best for households, starts at $120 a month. The price tag varies depending on whether you choose the standard plan or a priority plan, which offers faster speeds.

Users can experience download speeds between 25 and 220Mbps, with upload speeds between 5 and 20Mbps. Speeds depend on your location and availability. According to the company’s website, most users experience speeds over 100Mbps. While Starlink doesn’t have a hard data cap, some plans might see slower speeds during peak hours. Starlink charges residential customers in areas with high network usage a one-time congestion charge. The charge applies to those buying or activating a new plan. The only way to refund this charge is if you return your equipment within 30 days. The company calls this a temporary measure. It says it will stop charging this “as soon as network capacity improves.”

4

Hughesnet

The EchoStar subsidiary

Hughesnet offers coverage to nearly 88% of the country. According to the company’s website, customers can access download speeds up to 100Mbps, with download speeds up to 5Mbps. There are multiple plans, with the standard option starting at $74.99 per month.

Hughesnet’s plans have a data cap, with each offering between 100GB and 200GB of priority data. This term defines how much high-speed data customers have. After they reach this limit, the speed reduces. The company’s plans require a two-year contract.

Hughesnet stands out among other providers because of is its fusion plan option, which pairs a satellite connection with a wireless connection. The company tags this as a more reliable service given the technology involved. “Multipath technology speeds your connection, so you can enjoy better browsing, streaming, and gaming — with less latency and greater reliability.”

3

Viasat

One package to do it all

Viasat is neck-in-neck with Hughesnet when it comes to availability, providing coverage to 87% of the country. This company released a new unlimited data plan in March 2024 under its Viasat Unleashed branding. This plan offers download speeds between 25 and 150Mbps and upload speeds of 3Mbps. The provider doesn’t require users to enter a contract or adhere to a data cap, which could be a draw for some customers. “You will have a month-to-month service term, which you may cancel at any time without an early termination fee,” the company states on its website.

According to Viasat’s website, speeds and pricing vary depending on the location, with the most expensive option costing $150 a month. Like Starlink, users can experience slower speeds during congestion if they use more data than typical usage, which the company defines as 850GB in a 30-day period.

2

EarthLink

Available in 48 states

EarthLink differs from others on the list because it doesn’t have its own satellites. Instead, it offers satellite internet through Viasat’s satellites. This partnership means that fans of EarthLink’s service can access a satellite internet connection powered by a trusted provider.

According to the company’s website, EarthLink is the largest rural internet provider in the continental US. “That means, more likely than not, we’re available in your remote areas where other internet service providers aren’t.”

The provider offers download speeds up to 100Mbps, allowing users to connect five devices at one time. It also has data caps, with plans ranging from 15GB to 300GB per month. Customers can lease the equipment or purchase it, which can be a good option for those on a budget.

1

Project Kuiper

Coming sometime this year

Project Kuiper is Amazon’s satellite internet service. While it’s in the works and not available for purchase, there is growing hype around the venture. One of its selling points is having home internet with speeds up to 400Mbps, which is higher than any other satellite internet provider.

The company will offer two models that can be used in a home setting. The first is a 7-inch square design that will weigh one pound and offer speeds up to 100Mbps. “This design will connect residential customers who need an even lower-cost model, as well as government and enterprise customers pursuing applications like ground mobility and Internet of Things (IoT),” the company said of the model.

The option offering speeds up to 400Mbps will be an 11-inch square, 1-inch thick model that weighs under five pounds (not including the mounting bracket). Amazon will also offer a third, larger model geared towards large businesses and governments. That will deliver speeds up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps). While it’s not clear when customers can purchase the service, its availability will see the satellite internet market grow.

Other options besides satellite

There is no arguing that satellite internet providers offer a vital service. However, it’s hard to ignore the cons of accessing the internet this way, with one of the biggest being the price tags. If you’re in an area where you can access the internet through other means, such as fiber, you should definitely consider it.