Satellite Internet

Is Satellite Internet Worth It?

Do you intend to purchase an internet package for your house or business? Before making a purchase, you should be aware of the technologies involved.

A personal electronic device can get connected to the internet in various ways. Internet connections vary as quickly as technology develops, with a broad spectrum of connection speeds and hardware.

Before you may connect to the internet, you must first choose an Internet Service Provider (ISP), a company with specialized computers that allows you to connect to the internet for a monthly charge. 

This article will discuss the satellite internet and explain its advantages and drawbacks.

What Is Satellite Internet?

What Is Satellite Internet

Satellite Internet is a method of transmitting data over the internet via satellite. Data gets sent from the provider’s offices to orbiting satellites. The data is subsequently transferred to internet customers through satellite receiving antennas.

Even though satellite Internet existed before the fiber internet, it is not as popular as other internet media. Satellite internet has dramatically improved since its beginnings. Satellite internet is perfect for folks who live in remote areas and have trouble with wired connections. 

Millions of people in the United States live in rural areas with no access to electricity. This non-access is partly due to the big cable companies’ lack of financial motivation. Satellite internet, notably low-orbit high-speed satellites, continues to be an excellent test for new technologies in these remote locations.

How To Differentiate Between Satellite, DSL, Cable And Fiber Internet

Satellite Internet: Satellite internet is defined by its name, implying that your regular internet connection is made possible by using satellites, specifically, three satellites. The satellite internet provider’s hub houses one satellite, while the other orbits the planet in space, and the third gets positioned at your home or location. A basic computer search is relayed via your satellite into your Internet Service Provider (ISP), then to your ISP, and a search result is returned to you from your satellite internet provider’s hub via the space satellite.

Satellite internet connects you to the internet using space-based satellites. Due to the great distance between us and space, satellite internet is likely to have slower speeds than DSL, Cable, and fiber internet. On the other hand, this form of internet is still quite dependable.

DSL: Digital Subscriber Line internet, or DSL for short as most people know it, refers to the internet sent over an existing telephone network. The pre-existing phone line must be routed through your DSL internet location for the ISP to install it.

Cable Internet: If DSL internet is supplied through telephone lines, cable internet, as you may have guessed, is delivered on television cable networks. As a result, it’s not unusual for cable TV companies to provide cable internet services. A modem or router gets installed to connect your computer to the coax cable, which transfers data for you.

Fiber Internet: Fiber internet, which now gets heralded as the fastest, works by delivering data over fiber-optic lines. They’re frequently buried, mounted on poles, or even submerged. The wires get linked to your location modem, then to your computer, to bring the internet inside your house.

Why Would You Use Satellite Internet? 

Why would somebody select satellite internet when there are faster choices like fiber internet? There are just a few situations where contacting satellite internet providers and establishing satellite internet is a good option.

The problem with fiber and cable internet is that it is not always easy to get to rural regions. Satellite internet has become the most incredible alternative for everyone who wants to stay connected in these situations. 

Installing satellite internet to replace dial-up internet is the second case in which it is a feasible option. As one of the original kinds of distributable internet, Dial-up internet is also the slowest. Its satellite variant is a welcome improvement. 

If you live in a remote part of the United States and want to go online, here are some of the top satellite internet providers to contact:

1. ViaSat

Many people use ViaSat to bridge individuals outside of fiber and cable coverage areas. ViaSat brings the internet to rural, hard-to-reach areas, allowing consumers to do all they need and desire online, from paying bills to interacting with family members worldwide.

Customers of ViaSat can choose from a variety of plans. In reality, many people are frequently overwhelmed by their options! However, the availability of plans (as well as their cost!) is highly dependent on the customer’s location. 

Which ViaSat Plans Are Available?

The first is their 12 Mbps package, ideal for a single homeowner who writes and receives emails and surfs the web. Then there’s their 25-30 Mbps option, which is excellent for a two-to-three-person family doing some light gaming or video streaming. This package is suitable if you have a home security system without cameras.

They also offer 50 Mbps and 100 Mbps plans, which, as you might expect, allow for more households and other forms of internet activities, including gaming and security cameras.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Liberty 12 plan costs $30 per month and steadily increases in price until it reaches the Unlimited Platinum 100 plan, which costs $149 per month.

Pros

1. A variety of speed settings are available.

2. Has a cheaper pricing per megabit per second (Mbps) than other internet providers

Cons

1. Liberty plans are only available in limited quantities.

2. The price rises after three months of use

HughesNet 

HughesNet claims to be America’s first option for satellite internet. HughesNet provides dependable, fast internet connections in areas where cable and DSL cannot.  Its services are offered at a reasonable price.

HughesNet’s Gen5 service can reach Alaska’s furthest reaches and even Puerto Rico. It is available as long as you have a clear view of the southern sky from your position! This availability makes it a popular choice for people who live in remote areas or on ranches. Fast internet, plenty of bandwidth, and built-in Wi-Fi are all features of the satellite connection. 

What Are HughesNet Plans Available?

Each HughesNet Gen5 package offers a download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 3 Mbps. This speed means you should be able to email, exchange photographs, listen to music, work from home, link your children to their schools for remote learning, and view movies without experiencing any issues with connectivity.

There are four service options available for various user accounts, and you may easily choose between them. Users may also purchase extra off-peak data if they require it. If necessary, data tokens can be used to speed up a connection.

How Much Does It Cost?

The setup charge is $99, and the monthly fee for a modem with Wi-Fi is $14.99. Different price options are available, starting at $59.99 per month and up to $149.99 per month. A two-year contract is typical.

Advantages

1. Easy to switch plans

2. Data bonus at off-peak hours

3. Data tokens can be used to boost the speed

Disadvantage

1. There are no higher speed options available, and all plans have a download speed of 25 Mbps.

Starlink

Starlink is a relative newcomer to the world of satellite Internet. On the other hand, most Americans are familiar with SpaceX’s rockets and satellites. SpaceX is the most famous rocket launch service company and the only one with its reusable orbital-class rocket. Starlink’s internet beta service has begun, and the company plans to grow regionally and worldwide in the coming years.

The Starlink satellites are substantially closer to the ground than regular satellites, resulting in shorter latency. It’s especially well-suited to areas of the world where internet access is scarce.

What Services Does Starlink Provide?

Through its satellites, Starlink provides low-latency high-speed broadband internet. Data rates will range from 50 to 150 Mbps, with latency ranging from 20 to 40 milliseconds. The Starlink system is constantly getting updated, and as a result, its systems will increase in data rates, uptime, and latency.

The Starlink kit includes everything needed to start, including a Wi-Fi router, wires, a mounting tripod, a power source, and a Starlink satellite dish. There’s even an app that can help you figure out where the most incredible spot is for your installation; all it requires is a clear view of the sky.

How Much Does It Cost?

Starlink’s high-speed service, which ranges from 50 to 150 Mbps, is not inexpensive. It provides unrestricted internet access for $99 per month. It would be best to consider the cost of the equipment, which is estimated to be roughly $499.

Advantages

1. Quick download speeds

2. Compared to other satellite internet providers, they have lower latency.

3. Affordable

4. Data is limitless.

Disadvantages

1. High-priced equipment

2. Currently, there is a limited amount of availability.

3. Given Starlink’s new arrival into the Satellite game, speeds and latency may not always be available.

Five Things To Check When Purchasing Satellite Internet

1. Check the download and upload speeds to see whether they satisfy your requirements.

2. How much data gets included in the plan, and whether you can upgrade if it isn’t enough for you?

3. Whether the delay of satellite internet would have a detrimental impact on your online activity

4. The price of the equipment and the time it takes to install it

5. Available plans

Conclusion

A high-speed internet connection can help to boost economic growth by attracting new firms, employment, and inhabitants to the region. With so many alternatives, it’s critical to grasp the differences between these cellular technologies before committing to one.

Satellite internet is highly recommended for individuals who live in remote locations since you can still access your favorite streaming services and surf the internet like anybody else who has DSL, Cable, or fiber internet! 


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