What are the disadvantages of Viasat?
Viasat is among the foremost satellite internet service providers in the United States that offer broadband connections to all parts of the country. Of course, Viasat can offer internet access where cable and fiber have not been deployed, but there are some drawbacks customers should know when using the service.
As with the other two ideologies, speed limits, and data caps have also been an issue of debate.
Another main critique that can be applied to satellite internet, in general, is the fact that the bandwidth is considerably worse than in cable or fiber optic networks. The speeds of the Viasat broadband range from 12Mbps to 100Mbps depending on the region, but Viasat’s newest ViaSat-3 satellites will offer up to a gigabit.
Nevertheless, Viasat is still slower on average, and, in addition, it has very strict data quotas that can dictate to customers how much bandwidth they are allowed to use monthly. To note, the fundamental 12/3 Mbps broadband services package includes a 40GB monthly data usage allowance, which many families may quickly exhaust when engaging in high-usage activities like streaming. Data limits mean that if you go over that limit, your internet speeds are reduced significantly.
It is worth pointing out that Viasat does provide unlimited data plans, but only if the consumer subscribes to a few of the higher-tier service plans. The unlimited data bronze 12 Mbps plan has a monthly subscription of $150. Some of the customers also complain that even on the unlimited data plan, they get speeds throttled at moments when the network is crowded.
They also have sensitivity to weather and environmental factors.
Due to the distance that is covered in transmitting and receiving information to and from satellites that are at times over 20,000 miles high above the surface of the earth, satellite internet is vulnerable to anything that may hinder or distort the transmission. That includes episodes of extreme conditions such as heavy rain, snow, and storms.
Humidity and hot weather can also affect satellite links, which can cause a change in speed and connection problems. Any structures that may limit the sight between the dish antenna and the satellites, such as trees, buildings, and other barriers, limit Internet reliability. This sensitivity leads to another major disadvantage: The ability of cell phones to work as tracking devices is often enhanced by their batteries, which offer long life and are easily rechargeable.
Reliability and Connection Issues
Satellite networks are by their nature sensitive, which means that reliability is bound to be a problem for customers. These disruptions are usually short-term and result in a brief disconnection or loss of connectivity. However, it can take hours, days, or even weeks for power to be restored when long storms or storms that last for weeks are experienced.
Satellite systems in general have inherently worse latency than terrestrial systems since signals have to travel a longer distance to geosynchronous satellites, even on clear days. It can lead to problems such as delay, lagging, and buffering, particularly in situations where high real-time interactivity is required, such as video conferencing and online gaming.
Saturated satellite signals during peak usage times in densely populated centers similarly often overwhelm finite bandwidth resources to other problematic, slow, and connectivity issues for customers despite not reaching their data quotas.
Higher Upfront Costs
Internet through satellite is one of the most complex methods of delivering the internet for several reasons, as highlighted here below. Customers require an exterior satellite dish that is mounted, which requires a line of sight to the sky without any form of obstruction. As a rule, professional installation is advised or mandatory, which is valid for most types of alarm systems.
Standard installation fees vary depending on whether they are a one-time payment or a monthly fee; they are usually between $100 and $300. Extra wiring, more parts, or any form of complicated installation, particularly the rooftop antenna, can cost a little more at times. The cost of the satellite modem and Wi-Fi router usually exceeds $200 and can go up to $300 and above. Apply the initial charges for hooking up and the first month of service and sat-internet is most probably the priciest sort of connection to the world wide web.
This paper focuses on two key aspects, namely long contracts and early termination fees.
Being a satellite internet provider, Viasat usually expects its customers to agree to a two-year contractual term. A few locations allow customers to sign a one-year contract, but this comes with an adjusted monthly cost. Contract violation may lead to consumers paying early termination fees, which are usually a few hundred bucks, and then decreasing as time approaches the end of the agreed-upon contract period.
This required commitment is longer than what is provided by many cable or fiber internet providers, who often allow customers to sign up for month-to-month plans. Thus, those people who wanted to relocate in the next two years would incur penalties for early termination of the service. Some contract options also entail fixed installation charges to be factored into the total contract charges, where you would still be billed if you terminate the contract early.
Naturally, to answer this question, we should take a look at the current offer of Viasat satellite Internet and determine if it still makes sense to use it.
While this is a ringing endorsement of Viasat, there are still rural dwellers who have no other internet service provider to choose from or are stuck with lackluster and unreliable old-world internet access providers as their only options to get decent home internet service. Some people have complained of experiences that involved slow connections or limited data but at least satellite is far better than dial-up or relying strictly on cellular networks.
Satellite is also convenient for occasional RV users who own a recreational vehicle and for those traveling often and desiring to be connected wherever they drive across the country. In the case of fixed structures, careful consideration of the reliability issues and various costs can indicate whether or not there is enough potential for the upside for Viasat to offset these drawbacks. Use-usage match is suitable and we should expect some sacrifices.