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Best Satellite Internet Providers in Philadelphia, PA (2025)

Philadelphia residents have access to 2 satellite internet providers offering coverage across the entire major metro area. With a population of 1,573,916, satellite internet provides a reliable connectivity option for homes and businesses throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding Mid-Atlantic region. The leading satellite providers here include HughesNet, Starlink and other options, with plans ranging from $64.99 to $250 per month.

For Pennsylvania residents in Philadelphia, HughesNet Fusion at $94.99/mo, which combines GEO and LEO satellite technology for improved latency. For budget plans, HughesNet Select at $64.99/mo covers basic browsing and email.

Satellite Internet Providers in Philadelphia at a Glance

The following table summarizes every satellite internet provider available to Philadelphia, PA residents in 2025, along with key plan details and coverage information.

ProviderTechnologyStarting PriceMax SpeedData CapOrbitCoverage
HughesNetSatellite$64.99/mo25 Mbps100-200 GBGEO100.0%
StarlinkSatellite (LEO)$120/mo220 MbpsUnlimitedLEO98.2%

HughesNet Satellite Internet in Philadelphia

In Philadelphia's competitive internet market, HughesNet fills an important niche as a universally available broadband option. Their GEO satellite network provides coverage to 100% of Pennsylvania addresses, and their recent Fusion plans introduce LEO satellite technology for improved latency that benefits Philadelphia households needing better real-time performance.

HughesNet Plans Available in Philadelphia

PlanDownload SpeedPriceDataTechnology
Select15 Mbps$64.99/mo100 GBGEO
Elite25 Mbps$79.99/mo200 GBGEO
Fusion25 Mbps$94.99/mo200 GB + low-latencyGEO + LEO

HughesNet's coverage reliability in Philadelphia is backed by its Jupiter 3 satellite, one of the highest-capacity communications satellites ever launched. This satellite provides dedicated capacity for the Mid-Atlantic, ensuring that Philadelphia subscribers experience consistent speeds even during peak usage hours. The 25 Mbps cap applies to all plans in the area.

Call HughesNet for plans in Philadelphia: 1-855-543-5405

Starlink LEO Satellite Internet in Philadelphia

Starlink's LEO satellite constellation serves Philadelphia with internet speeds and latency that were previously impossible via satellite. For Philadelphia's 1,573,916 residents, Starlink offers 25-100 Mbps on its Standard plan and 40-220 Mbps on Priority, with unlimited data and the responsive connectivity needed for video calls and online gaming.

Starlink Plans Available in Philadelphia

PlanDownload SpeedPriceDataTechnology
Standard25-100 Mbps$120/moUnlimited (1 TB priority)LEO
Priority40-220 Mbps$250/moUnlimited (40 GB priority)LEO

For Philadelphia residents with obstructed views, Starlink's app provides an augmented-reality tool to check sky visibility before installation. In Philadelphia's humid continental environment, trees and neighboring structures are the most common obstructions. The dish's motorized base adjusts automatically, but a clear northern sky view produces the best results in Pennsylvania.

Call AT&T Internet for service in Philadelphia: 1-855-850-5977

Xfinity as a Satellite Alternative in Philadelphia

With 97.0% coverage in Philadelphia, Xfinity offers Cable, Fiber service as an alternative to satellite internet. While not available everywhere like satellite providers, Xfinity typically delivers lower latency and more consistent speeds for Philadelphia residents within their network footprint.

Call Xfinity for service in Philadelphia: 1-844-963-0138

Call T-Mobile for service in Philadelphia: 1-844-275-9311

Call Verizon Fios for service in Philadelphia: 1-855-387-1456

Call Viasat about service in Philadelphia: 1-855-463-9333

LEO vs GEO Satellite Technology: What Philadelphia Residents Need to Know

The satellite internet options available in Philadelphia span two fundamentally different orbital technologies. GEO (geostationary earth orbit) satellites sit at a fixed point 22,236 miles high, providing broad coverage with high latency (600ms+). LEO (low-earth orbit) satellites like Starlink orbit at only 340 miles, requiring thousands of satellites for continuous coverage but delivering dramatically lower latency of 20-40ms that enables real-time applications.

Satellite Latency Comparison for Philadelphia Residents

TechnologyOrbit AltitudeTypical LatencyBest ForProviders in Area
GEO Satellite22,236 miles600-800msStreaming, email, web browsingHughesNet, Viasat
LEO Satellite340 miles20-40msVideo calls, gaming, real-time appsStarlink
Hybrid (GEO+LEO)Mixed100-300msGeneral use, improved browsingHughesNet Fusion, Viasat Unleashed 200/300
Wired (Cable, DSL, Fixed Wireless, Fiber)Ground-based5-30msAll applicationsAT&T Internet, Xfinity, Verizon Fios

Satellite Internet Data Caps in Philadelphia

Managing data on satellite internet in Philadelphia requires awareness of each provider's policies. HughesNet offers a bonus zone (2-8 AM PA time) for large downloads, effectively extending your data allowance. Viasat's Unleashed plans remove hard caps entirely, though heavy users during peak hours may see temporary speed adjustments. Starlink provides generous 1 TB priority data suitable for most Philadelphia families.

How Philadelphia Weather Affects Satellite Internet

Weather sensitivity is a practical concern for satellite internet users in Philadelphia. The humid continental weather patterns in Pennsylvania can occasionally interfere with satellite signals, particularly during heavy rain or dense cloud cover. GEO satellites like those used by HughesNet are more affected due to the longer signal path (22,236 miles through the atmosphere). Starlink's LEO satellites, orbiting at just 340 miles, experience less weather-related disruption, though severe storms can still impact connectivity.

Satellite Internet vs Local Alternatives in Philadelphia

While satellite internet provides universal coverage in Philadelphia, residents within the footprint of wired providers may want to compare their options. The following table shows how satellite internet stacks up against the local wired and fixed wireless alternatives available in Philadelphia, PA.

ProviderTechnologyCoverage in CityTypical LatencyBest Speed
HughesNetGEO Satellite100.0%600-800ms25 Mbps
StarlinkLEO Satellite98.2%20-40ms220 Mbps
AT&T InternetFiber, Fixed Wireless, DSL70.6%5-15ms1 Gbps+
XfinityCable, Fiber97.0%5-15ms1 Gbps+
T-Mobile5G, Fixed Wireless, Mobile79.9%25-50ms300 Mbps
Verizon FiosFiber82.2%5-15ms1 Gbps+
Verizon 5G Home5G82.2%25-50ms300 Mbps

The choice between satellite and wired internet in Philadelphia often comes down to location. While 5 wired and wireless providers serve portions of the city, none covers 100% of all addresses. Satellite internet fills these gaps perfectly. Additionally, Philadelphia residents who need a backup internet connection for remote work or business continuity often add satellite as a secondary service alongside their primary wired connection.

Satellite Internet Installation in Philadelphia

Setting up satellite internet in Philadelphia involves professional dish installation and line-of-sight verification. Philadelphia's humid continental environment and local terrain influence optimal dish placement. HughesNet and Viasat dishes point south at a specific elevation angle determined by Philadelphia's latitude in Pennsylvania. Starlink's flat phased-array dish self-adjusts electronically but needs clear sky overhead. Professional installation is included with HughesNet and Viasat; Starlink is typically self-installed.

Satellite Internet Insights for Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia residents considering satellite internet should assess their specific usage needs. For households primarily streaming video and browsing the web, HughesNet or Viasat provides adequate service at varying price points. For remote workers, gamers, or households needing responsive connectivity, Starlink's LEO technology offers the best satellite experience in Philadelphia. The city's 5 wired and wireless providers serve as alternatives where available.

The satellite internet market in Philadelphia, PA continues to evolve rapidly. New satellite launches increase capacity and coverage quality, while competition between providers drives service improvements. For Philadelphia's 1,573,916 residents, this means satellite internet in 2025 is significantly better than even two years ago, with faster speeds, more data, and lower latency from LEO providers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Satellite Internet in Philadelphia

What satellite internet providers are available in Philadelphia, PA?

Philadelphia is served by 2 satellite internet providers: HughesNet, Starlink. All offer coverage to 100% of addresses in the Philadelphia area.

What is the fastest satellite internet in Philadelphia?

Viasat's Unleashed 300 plan offers the fastest satellite speeds in Philadelphia at up to 300 Mbps. Starlink's LEO service provides 25-220 Mbps with much lower latency (20-40ms vs 600ms+ for GEO satellites).

How much does satellite internet cost in Philadelphia?

Satellite internet plans in Philadelphia range from $64.99/mo for HughesNet's Select plan (15 Mbps) to $250/mo for Starlink Priority (40-220 Mbps). Viasat plans start at $99.99/mo for 100 Mbps.

Is satellite internet good for streaming in Philadelphia?

Modern satellite internet in Philadelphia supports HD streaming on most plans. Viasat's 100+ Mbps plans and Starlink handle Netflix and YouTube smoothly. HughesNet's 25 Mbps works for single-device HD streaming. Data caps on some plans may limit heavy streaming.

What is the difference between LEO and GEO satellite internet?

GEO (geostationary) satellites orbit at 22,236 miles, causing 600ms+ latency. HughesNet and traditional Viasat use GEO. LEO (low-earth orbit) satellites like Starlink orbit at 340 miles, reducing latency to 20-40ms, which supports video calls and light gaming.

Does weather affect satellite internet in Philadelphia?

Yes, Philadelphia's humid continental climate can occasionally impact satellite signals. Heavy rain, snow, or dense cloud cover may cause brief outages or speed reductions. LEO satellites like Starlink are generally less affected than GEO services. Modern satellites have improved rain fade resistance significantly.

Explore More Internet Options in Philadelphia

For more information about satellite internet technology and availability, visit our Satellite Internet Guide or compare HughesNet vs Viasat plans nationwide.

This satellite internet comparison for Philadelphia, PA is provided for informational purposes by InternetProviders.ai. Actual speeds, availability, and pricing may differ from what is listed and should be verified with each provider. Our revenue comes partly from affiliate partnerships with internet service providers; however, our recommendations remain independent and based on objective evaluation. Installation requirements, including line-of-sight conditions, vary by Philadelphia address. Satellite internet performance may be affected by weather and network conditions in Pennsylvania. Updated for 2025.

About the Author: The InternetProviders.ai editorial team researches and reviews internet service providers across the United States. Our satellite internet coverage data for Philadelphia, PA is compiled from FCC broadband maps, provider availability tools, and local subscriber feedback. We update our Philadelphia satellite internet guide regularly to reflect the latest plans, pricing, and technology developments in the Mid-Atlantic.