Which satellite internet service provider is right for you?
Satellite Internet has also been prevalent for homes in rural areas without cable or fiber broadband facilities. The two most common satellite internet service providers accessible in nearly all regions in the United States are; Viasat and HughesNet. Which of the two is the superior one? Below is a comprehensive analysis of Viasat and HughesNet on important parameters that can help make this decision.
Availability and Coverage Area
Currently, both Viasat and HughesNet service the continental United States with plans of expand to other regions. The coverage area is normally not a market separator or a very important criterion. However, it is still recommended to check for availability according to the specific address provided for the most exacting details since aspects like mountains and trees can obstruct satellite signals.
On remote locations, Viasat seems to have a slight advantage over HughesNet because its latest satellite offers better coverage than that of HughesNet, especially in the North and particularly Alaska. For most U.S. location however, coverage is fairly comparable.
Internet Speeds
Internet speeds are the main factor that can help one determine if a satellite internet service will be sufficient to fulfill the needs of a household or not.
The fastest plan provided by Viasat is up to 100 Mbps, considering their newest satellite and equipment. Continuing with the satellite service providers, HughesNet offers its Gen5 package at maximum speed of 25 Mbps. Therefore, it is evident that, in respect of maximum download and upload speeds, Viasat is better. So, once again just remember that the 100Mbps service from Viasat is their top-of-the-line option which includes higher monthly costs than their entry-level packages.
But that is not the end of the story, which relies on the maximum speed figures. Consistency and reliability of speeds is important to, this is because in a sport, which involves high speed and technique such as Formula One racing, it is imperative that the speeds of the car are constant in order to effectively execute the intended strategies. Both providers employ measures like rationing data quantities and prioritizing traffic during congested moments to ensure speeds are not compromised. Still there is a big difference in plan speeds and the actual performance difference may not be as noticeable depending on everyday use such as browsing the web and streaming.
Data Caps and Data Prioritization Policies
A key feature that remains universal to all satellite internet plans is that of data caps which restrict the amount of high speed data that can be consumed in a single month. Uncapping results in significantly lowering the speed or the necessity to pay extra charges for exceeding the limit.
Data allowance and the policy that governs the charges when that allowance is exceeded in HughesNet and Viasat are virtually the same. They bundle between 20–30GB per month for the basic plans and above 50GB for the premium offering. As for data limits, Viasat does not impose extra charges such as those that HughesNet is known to do. However, speeds are reduced the same as dial up when a certain amount of data per month is used no matter which provider.
Satellite data priorities are another important aspect that defines the actual work of the satellite. To schedule networks when they are heavily utilized in the evening, subscriber traffic is prioritized according to data floor rates and plans and monthly usage. Thus, lighter users may gain better relative connection speeds than heavier users during congestion, depending on the plan they are using. That’s true, Viasat and HughesNet have very similar approaches to this matter.
Price and Contract Terms
Pricing can be a major factor when it comes to families who are on a limited budget which makes satellite internet an option for use. Installation fees which include acquiring the satellite dish and other equipment costs are usually between $100 and $300. Often, promotions entail either a partial or total removal of the fee for equipment when customers agree to a 2-year contract.
Monthly service costs for entry-level services start from $60 up to $400 for the established plans. The plans with higher speeds and more data amount to $80 — $150 per month, and can be considered as mid-tier plans. Taxes and other fees are also added by both provider.
Different tiers of services are available in contract as well as no contract terms with no contract being available on the lower end and 2 year contract on the high end. HughesNet insists on a two-year contract with its consumers especially when these are offered preferential rates of the most sought-after plans as well as equipment.
Therefore, in the broadest sense of the prices, Viasat may be preferable for those who want more freedom with contracts and shorter service plans than HughesNet’s somewhat deceptive shorter-term periods that cost more upfront. However, HughesNet coupons can produce real savings for the frugal who do not mind agreeing to a two-year contract.
Customer and Tech Support
Thus, having quality customer service and technical support can go a long way toward preventing headaches associated with any Internet provider. This could be especially the case for satellite internet due to factors like using equipment often mounted on roofs thus exposed to harsh weather and also frequent instances of intermittent connections.
HughesNet and Viasat seem to garner similar user experience scores for the most part, although Viasat normally receives a slightly higher level of customer satisfaction. Some of the common issues expressed in many Viasat reviews include robust, always-available technical support and a convenient mobile application for tracking account usage and speed.
However, HughesNet also opened large call centers in different states of America and powerful web interfaces for customers. And it appears that support options themselves are quite similar in the case of the competing providers. Therefore, it seems that response times and agent competency are more satisfactory at Viasat based on numerous direct customer testimonies.
Final Recommendation
Although HughesNet is satisfactory in its performance for most of them, ViaSat comes out on top due to the availability of its faster speed plans, the reputation of the company for good customer service experience, and the availability of short-term contracts. However, as with all things, be sure to look up the individual deals in your locality. Special offers, promotions, and rates for new customers that are dynamic can change the value proposition and make HughesNet seem more attractive than Viasat in certain cases. However, making a comparison with all factors being put into consideration, Viasat has edged past most consumers in terms of satellite broadband.
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