Satellite Internet Guide (2026 Guide)
Quick Answer
Satellite internet provides broadband connectivity to rural and remote areas where cable, fiber, and DSL aren't available. Starlink leads with speeds up to 150 Mbps and latency around 25ms, while HughesNet and Viasat offer traditional geostationary satellite service with 25-100 Mbps speeds but higher latency.
What Is Satellite Internet and How Does It Work?
Satellite internet transmits data between a dish at your home and satellites orbiting Earth. Traditional providers like HughesNet and Viasat use geostationary satellites positioned 22,000 miles above the equator. These satellites remain fixed relative to Earth, providing consistent coverage but introducing significant latency (500-700ms) due to the vast distance signals must travel.
Starlink pioneered a revolutionary approach using low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites positioned just 340 miles above Earth. With thousands of satellites in constellation, Starlink provides global coverage with dramatically lower latency (20-40ms) and faster speeds (50-150 Mbps). The trade-off is that LEO satellites move relative to Earth, requiring sophisticated tracking and handoff systems.
Satellite internet works in all weather conditions, though heavy rain, snow, and dense cloud cover can temporarily degrade performance—a phenomenon called "rain fade." Modern systems are increasingly resilient, but weather sensitivity remains a consideration for satellite users.
Satellite Internet Speeds and Performance
Traditional geostationary satellite internet (HughesNet, Viasat) offers download speeds of 25-100 Mbps with upload speeds of 3-10 Mbps. Latency remains high at 500-700ms, making real-time applications like video gaming challenging. However, these services handle web browsing, email, and video streaming adequately for most rural users.
Starlink delivers 50-150 Mbps download and 10-20 Mbps upload with 20-40ms latency, performance comparable to DSL and lower-tier cable internet. This makes Starlink viable for video conferencing, online gaming, and other latency-sensitive applications that traditional satellite couldn't support.
All satellite providers implement data caps or prioritization policies. HughesNet offers plans from 100-200 GB/month, after which speeds are throttled. Viasat ranges from 150 GB to unlimited plans with fair use policies. Starlink currently operates without hard caps but prioritizes residential users during peak congestion.
Top Satellite Internet Providers
Starlink from SpaceX represents the future of satellite internet, with LEO technology delivering fiber-like performance to rural areas. Equipment costs $599, with service at $120/month for residential users. Starlink covers most of North America with expanding global coverage. Availability is immediate in most areas, though some regions have waitlists. The service requires a clear view of the northern sky and works best with professional installation to optimize dish placement.
HughesNet is America's original satellite internet provider, serving all 50 states with reliable if slower service. Plans range from $49.99-$149.99/month with data allowances of 100-200 GB. HughesNet includes equipment lease in monthly pricing and offers 24-month contracts with early termination fees. The service is ideal for basic internet needs in areas without alternatives. Call 1-855-543-5405 for availability and current promotions.
Viasat competes with HughesNet using newer satellite technology for slightly better speeds. Plans range from $69.99-$149.99/month with speeds of 12-100 Mbps depending on location and plan. Viasat offers larger data allowances than HughesNet, making it better for streaming households. Two-year contracts are standard, with equipment fees included. Contact Viasat at 1-855-463-9333 to check speeds at your address.
| Provider | Speed | Latency | Price | Data Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starlink | 50-150 Mbps | 20-40ms | $120/mo | No hard cap |
| HughesNet | 25 Mbps | 600ms | $49.99-$149.99/mo | 100-200 GB |
| Viasat | 12-100 Mbps | 600ms | $69.99-$149.99/mo | 150 GB-Unlimited* |
Satellite vs Other Rural Internet Options
Satellite internet competes with DSL, fixed wireless, and 5G home internet for rural customers. DSL offers lower latency but limited speeds and requires phone line proximity. Fixed wireless provides good speeds (25-100 Mbps) with moderate latency (30-50ms) but requires line-of-sight to a tower. 5G home internet delivers excellent speeds (50-300 Mbps) with low latency (20-30ms) where coverage exists, but availability is limited in rural areas.
Starlink outperforms traditional satellite dramatically and competes directly with DSL and fixed wireless on speed and latency. The main drawbacks are higher upfront equipment costs ($599 vs. $50-100 for other technologies) and monthly service costs ($120 vs. $50-80 for alternatives).
Traditional geostationary satellite (HughesNet, Viasat) makes sense when no other broadband option exists. The high latency limits real-time applications, but web browsing and streaming work fine. For basic rural internet needs with budget constraints, HughesNet and Viasat remain viable despite technology limitations.
Installation and Equipment
Satellite internet requires professional installation of a dish antenna and modem. Traditional providers include professional installation in setup fees ($50-100), typically completing the process in one visit. The installer mounts the dish with a clear view of the southern sky (northern hemisphere), runs cabling to your home, and configures the modem.
Starlink offers both professional and self-installation options. The kit includes the satellite dish (Dishy), modem/router, and mounting equipment. Self-installation involves mounting the dish with a clear view of the northern sky, connecting cables, and powering on the system. The dish automatically aligns itself and connects to passing satellites. Professional installation ($200-500) is recommended for roof mounts or complex installations.
All satellite systems require an unobstructed view of the sky. Trees, buildings, and terrain can block signals. Starlink's app includes an obstruction checker to identify optimal dish placement. Traditional satellite needs southern sky visibility (northern hemisphere), while Starlink requires northern sky access. Roof mounts are most common, but ground mounts and pole mounts work if properly positioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I game on satellite internet?
Gaming on Starlink is possible with 20-40ms latency, acceptable for most games though not ideal for competitive esports. Traditional satellite internet (HughesNet, Viasat) with 600ms+ latency makes gaming impractical for anything requiring real-time responses. Turn-based games work fine, but first-person shooters, battle royales, and fighting games are essentially unplayable. For serious gamers in rural areas, Starlink is the only satellite option worth considering.
Does weather affect satellite internet?
Yes, heavy rain, snow, and dense clouds can temporarily disrupt satellite signals, a phenomenon called "rain fade." Starlink experiences shorter, less frequent outages than traditional satellite due to lower altitude and beam switching. Light rain and clouds rarely cause issues. Snow accumulation on the dish affects all systems, though Starlink includes dish heating to melt snow. Severe thunderstorms cause the most significant disruptions, typically lasting minutes rather than hours.
How much data can I use per month with satellite internet?
HughesNet plans include 100-200 GB/month before speeds are throttled to 1-3 Mbps. Viasat offers 150 GB to unlimited plans, though "unlimited" plans have fair use policies that prioritize other users during congestion. Starlink doesn't impose hard data caps but may deprioritize heavy users during peak times. For typical usage (streaming, browsing, email), 200 GB/month handles 100+ hours of HD streaming plus normal internet use.
Is Starlink available in my area?
Starlink covers most of North America, Europe, Australia, and expanding regions worldwide. Availability is immediate in most areas, though some high-demand regions have waitlists of several months. Check availability at starlink.com by entering your address. The website provides estimated service dates for waitlisted areas. Starlink prioritizes residential customers over RV/mobile users during congestion, so residential plans typically have better availability.
Can I take satellite internet with me if I move?
Traditional satellite (HughesNet, Viasat) requires new installation at your new address, included in service transfers within the provider's coverage area. Starlink residential service is location-specific but portable within your general region. Starlink offers specific RV/mobile plans for users needing service at multiple locations, at higher monthly cost with potentially lower priority during congestion. Always verify service availability at your new address before relocating.
How much does satellite internet installation cost?
HughesNet and Viasat include professional installation for $0-100, depending on current promotions and location complexity. Starlink charges $599 for equipment (dish, modem, cables) with self-installation included. Professional Starlink installation costs an additional $200-500 depending on complexity and location. Roof mounts, multiple-story installations, and specialized mounting situations increase costs. Factor installation costs into your first-year expense when comparing satellite options.
Can I use satellite internet for streaming services?
Yes, all satellite providers support streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube. Starlink easily handles 4K streaming with its higher speeds. Traditional satellite (HughesNet, Viasat) streams HD content well but may buffer occasionally with 4K. Data caps are the main concern—HD streaming uses approximately 3 GB/hour, 4K uses 7 GB/hour. Monitor your usage to avoid exceeding monthly data allowances and experiencing throttled speeds for the remainder of your billing cycle.