There are times when you feel suffocated in a busy and noisy urban environment. You want to enjoy the peaceful ambiance of rural life. You think of moving to rural areas to enjoy the clear sky and beautiful sunsets. But one thing that concerns you is that if you are working remotely, you need internet access to keep yourself connected with your work and colleagues 24/7. And obviously, you can’t stop using social media applications that help you to stay in touch with your loved ones, right? Though metropolitan areas are connected by top-notch services like Cox internet, you may have difficulty finding such amazing network lines in the outskirts. But, what if we told you that you can get a credible connection in rural regions, as well? Yes, here’s our solution: satellite internet. Let’s learn more about it below.
What is Satellite Internet?
Satellite internet is a mode of internet access that transmits bandwidth wirelessly to homes via communications satellite. This system requires a parabolic dish at your residence that connects with an orbiting satellite in outer space through a Networks Operation Center (NOC). Don’t worry, with the advancements in technology, the speed of satellite internet is good enough to satisfy your needs.
The Best Satellite Internet Providers of 2021
Currently, there are two major satellite internet providers in the U.S. but there is no doubt that additional providers are going to enter the market in near future. For example, Elon Musk, real-life Tony Stark, claims that his company SpaceX will soon provide high-speed internet connectivity to rural areas.
Currently, the two satellite providers that help people residing in rural areas to stay connected with the rest of the world are Viasat and HughesNet.
Viasat vs. HughesNet
Both satellite internet providers are ferociously competing with each other to provide better services to their customers. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of each service provider to help you make an informed decision.
Internet Speed
Viasat undoubtedly provides high-speed internet access to hard-to-reach rural areas. It delivers download speeds up to 100 Mbps, which leaves HughesNet far behind, and stuck on the 25 Mbps download rate. Viasat offers different packages that allow you to connect many devices to the internet, including the Unlimited Gold 50 or Unlimited Premium 100 packages. It even allows users to enjoy watching videos in 4K or high definition.
Infrastructure
HughesNet launched its satellite service way before Viasat did, which is why Viasat is considered a novice in the field. Nonetheless, both companies are working to launch new satellites with more advanced tech as soon as possible. Viasat has already announced that it will launch its satellite in 2021, while the announcement from HughesNet is still being anticipated.
Installation
Viasat provides free installation to its customers while HughesNet charges an installation fee, which varies considering your requirements of either buying the satellite dish for your home or just leasing it.
Data Plans
The packages offered by Viasat include various limited and unlimited data options. The limited data packages range from 12 to 50 GB per month. On the other hand, HughesNet offers only limited data plans ranging from 10 to 50 GB per month.
HughesNet continues to provide internet speeds, albeit slow, to its consumers even after they have reached their data cap. It allows customers to use additional data during a limited period from 2 am to 8 am.
Pricing
Viasat charges vary based on your requirements for data and download speed. The faster the speed or the more data you want, the more price you will have to pay. One thing that you need to consider here is that Viasat prices are complicated because of the price hikes they add after 3 months. While the price graph for HughesNet is quite simple and straightforward. HughesNet has maintained the same charges for 2 years. Moreover, the plans of HughesNet are far cheaper than Viasat, which asserts that it is much more affordable.
Choosing your Satellite Provider
You might be confused as to which satellite provider to get for your household in the rural areas. As covered in this article, both providers have their pros and cons. You just have to figure out which satellite provider compliments your needs the best. Viasat definitely beats HughesNet when it comes to high-speed internet but it does seem to go a little overboard with its high prices. One of Viasat’s internet packages provides 12 Mbps for $30 a month, which might make you think that it’s better than HughesNet’s cheapest plan that costs about $59 a month, but you need to keep in mind that HughesNet provides no less than 25 Mbps.
And though both service providers allow you to purchase extra data bundles, the data bought from Viasat expires within the month, while HughesNet doesn’t let your purchased data go unused. Furthermore, HughesNet charges less for extra data as compared to Viasat.
Wrapping Up
Therefore, you need to mark your priorities, if you want an affordable and consistent internet connection in the rural areas. You should opt for HughesNet if you’re careful about pricing, but if you are looking for an unlimited and fast internet connection, you should consider choosing Viasat.
