A Quick Overview of WOW Internet and Cable in 2020

WOW internet is a reliable, fast, and fair priced internet service. This is an overview of WOW Internet service and WOW internet deals in 2020, which will help customers answer the question, Is WOW internet the best internet provider in my area.

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A Quick Overview of WOW Internet and Cable in 2020

A Quick Overview of WOW Internet and Cable in 2020


Here at Konecteaze, we often get the questions “which cable providers are offered in my area besides (insert major cable company name here)?  The answer to that question surprises out customers sometimes and WOW! Is definitely one of those pleasant surprises and a great alternative to the bigger names we all know like AT&T and Xfinity.  Wow is actually the 6th largest cable provider in the United States providing over 7 million customers with service.  Wow Internet and Cable provides internet, cable TV and telephone services to residential, business, and wholesale customers in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, and the Southeast. The company offers an extensive array of solo deals and bundles, with fast and reliable connection being at the center of them all. 

Let’s take a quick look at the internet plans, solutions and quality of customer service provided by WOW Internet and Cable for March 2020 and help you answer the question, "Is WOW internet the best internet provider in my area?".

WOW Internet Service

Wow provided high speed network via a hybrid fiber coax cable system.  The signal from WOW! is primarily carried by fiber for the majority of the run which provides lightning fast speeds.  The fiberoptic cable is run usually to your neighborhood node where copper cables are used to provide the final connection to your house.  This makes for a fast reliable internet service which customers really enjoy as evidence by their customer ratings.  

WOW Internet Plans

WOW Internet and Cable offers 4 different internet plans to customers. Prices start from $49 per month and go up to $84 per month. Here is the best part about WOW Internet, their speeds vary from 100 Mbps to 1000 Mbps. That means that their lowest priced plan still offer 100mbps of internet.  That is pretty incredible given that many service like AT&T internet, have packages that start at a higher price with just a fraction of the speed.  Here is another huge perk about WOW internet deals, all plans include FREE installation when ordered online, come with a 30-day money back guarantee and don’t enforce any data caps on users.  This all seems a little too good to be true but fortunately for their customers it’s not.   Customers have the option to bundle the internet plans with TV, telephone and Whole-Home WiFi services and solutions. You can learn more about the said plans here

WOW Internet Deals

As of March 19, 2020 WOW is offering an incredible deal. You can get their entry level, 100mbps package for only $34.99 per month plus a $100 visa gift card.  So what is the catch?  This offer is only for new customers who sign up for a two year agreement, enroll in their autopayment program and opt into paperless billing.  If you opt not to use their autopay feature it will raise the cost of WOW Cable’s internet packages by $5.  If you were wondering if you had to sacrifice any of the other cool offering WOW has by taking this offer, you don’t.  You will still get free standard installation and the same great service their customers have come to expect.  If you are a speed demon and need more than 100mbps, their next package up is only $10 more has double the speed (200mbps) and double the gift card ($200) for new internet subscribers to WOW Internet service. 

Mesh Wi-Fi Network

Home Mesh Networking, powered by the eero WiFi system, brings reliable high-speed internet to every corner of your house. It makes sure there are no dead spots, by covering every corner of the house with a high-speed internet signal. This means no longer do you have to walk from your kitchen to your room where the router is located, to finish loading that website or watching that video you were watching.  With WOW’s mesh Wi-Fi network, you literally have the same signal in the far reaches of your home as if your sitting on top of your router.  

Every room of every floor is covered, along with the outside areas of your house. The eero device comes in a plain white color and the design is simplistically beautiful, such that it will blend in with almost any interior. Many internet providers offer service but WOW makes sure not only are you online but that your experience is the same no matter where you are in your home.  

The downloadable eero application makes managing your internet very easy. With the app, you can create a separate network for guests, pause the internet at any time, and know what’s happening on your network.  It’s like your internet service has a remote control.

Wow! Business

High-speed reliable internet at home might be a luxury, but it’s a necessity at the workplace. Especially for businesses that have online-oriented business models like digital marketing and corresponding with foreign clients, fast internet connection is an absolute must. 

One day of bad internet and you might lose clients worth millions. Wow Internet and Cable specializes in reliable high-speed internet that ensures smooth operation of your business.

Few words on the Customer Service

Wow Internet and Cable offers industry-leading customer service. Bad customer service is the most common issue people face with ISPs, just ask anyone who has had Xfinity internet or cable, but with Wow, it’s different. They provide helpful, reliable, and efficient customer service anytime you need it.

Finding it difficult to choose an internet service provider? Worry no more. KonnectEaze helps you choose the perfect ISP for your home or office by giving you on the spot comparisons of all the different ISPs in your area. It provides personalized information based on your zip codes. It also gives you information about top internet deals and offers. So visit KonnectEaze now and find yourself the best internet deal. 


Choosing the Best Internet Service Provider When Coronavirus Has You Working From Home

As we face the threat of the coronavirus, more people are preparing to work from home. Ensure you're partnered with the right internet service providers.

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Choosing the Best Internet Service Provider When Coronavirus Has You Working From Home

Choosing the Best Internet Service Provider When Coronavirus Has You Working From Home

04/19/2020

At the time of writing, there are almost 200,000 cases of coronavirus in the world. It's more important now than ever to do your part in slowing the spread of the disease, which means you may have to take your work home with you.

Since much of the world is slowly transitioning to this anyway, it shouldn't be too difficult for you to do. But if you're new to this, you may be a bit lost in how to get set up properly.

If you're going to be working from home, then you're probably wondering about internet service providers available in your area that can give you quick and reliable service. In this article, we'll discuss the setup you need to work from home during these difficult times and provide you with some resources so you can make the best decision possible for your situation.

What You Need to Work From Home

Of course, you need an internet connection to work from home. But what many people fail to realize is you can't just climb into bed and work on your laptop.

Not only is this bad for your posture, but it's not very helpful to work in a space that's usually reserved for relaxing. Experts say you need to keep your bedroom somewhere reserved for sleeping and other leisure activities, as this will help with your sleep quality. Plus, your body is used to being laidback while in the bedroom, so you find yourself being not as productive as you can be.

To ensure you crank out just as much work as you do in the office, here are a few things you need.

An Ergonomic Desk

Remember how we said you shouldn't work slumped in your bed? You need an ergonomic desk that's designated as your workstation.

This includes an office chair that enables you to sit up straight at a proper distance from your screen. If you're using a PC instead of a laptop, you'll have to consider how comfortable your keyboard and mouse are as well. Think about connecting your laptop to a monitor and using a mouse and keyboard for better productivity.

A Stable Internet Connection

It isn't enough to just have an internet connection. The worst ones will cut in and out, which may interrupt important processes, such as saving your work in the cloud or uploading something to your work portal. Or if you're on a video call with a coworker or client, this may waste time, as you'll need to constantly call each other again when the connection inevitably drops.

When you have to constantly deal with these things, you can quickly fall behind in work. Not only does it cause a delay in things, but it can also cause you to feel frustrated, which can affect your motivation.

A Quick Internet Connection

In addition to having a stable internet connection, it also has to be quick. A slow connection can have you sitting around, waiting for processes to load and finish before you can move onto the next task.

A study found that people lose a whole working week every year as a direct result of slow internet. If you want to be as productive as possible, then you need to look at your internet service as an investment. Yes, you'll pay more for a stable and quick connection, but when you can work unhindered, that can be more than worth the price you pay.

Types of Internet Services Available

There are several types of internet services you can use, although some may not necessarily be available in your area. Of course, these will all come with their own pros and cons, so you need to weigh them up before settling on the best option.

Below, we'll discuss each type of internet service you can use, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

DSL

"DSL" stands for "digital subscriber line." This type of internet connection uses existing phone lines to get you on the internet, which means copper wires. While it was cutting-edge technology back in the 1990s when it first came out, DSL is now considered outdated and slow, especially when compared to other choices.

However, where DSL shines is its accessibility. Because the majority of areas (if not all) are already set up with telephone lines, there's not much additional work to get DSL. It's also very affordable, so if you're on a budget, this may be a good choice.

Do note that the connection speed will depend on where exactly you're located. So while someone in a city over might get lightning-fast speeds, that may not necessarily be the case for you. This will depend on how far you're located from a telephone exchange.

Also, if you're located somewhere where you get lots of storms, the quality of your internet connection may be compromised during those times. You may even completely lose your connection.

Cable

Cable internet also uses copper wires, but through coaxial cables. It's a step higher than DSL, so if you want something a bit quicker, then you might want to choose this option instead. However, it does have a smaller coverage area than DSL, so there's a small chance you may not be able to get cable in your area.

Like DSL, cable is pretty affordable. Plus, most buildings that already have cable TV capabilities are already set up for this type of internet. So if you're already getting cable TV, it's very simple to add cable internet on top.

One downside is if you have neighbors who also use cable, there can be some congestion at times. For instance, if you're all home after work and are watching Netflix, you might notice it takes longer to load each section and the quality may be compromised. So if you have lots of neighbors who you suspect may jump on the internet at the same time you're on, it may not be the best choice for you.

Fiber

As the name suggests, you get an internet connection through fiber optics. This is one of the best options around, if not the best.

Why? Because instead of using copper lines, it uses glass fibers to transmit data. As a result, fiber internet sends signals much quicker than copper wires do, so you get truly stunning speeds.

But for many people, they may experience a bottleneck. This is because your internet service provider (ISP) may connect the glass fibers to a traditional coaxial cable. 

Also, the main disadvantage of getting fiber internet is the cost. It's the most expensive option available, and for many customers, they only see a slight improvement to internet speeds when compared to, say, cable internet.

So unless you have lots of disposable income and do bandwidth-heavy tasks online, then you should consider the other options first.

Satellite

Unlike the other types on this list, satellite internet doesn't require you to be hooked up to cables or wires. This is because your home will get the internet signal from a satellite that bounces the connection from space to a satellite installed on your home.

This type of internet comes with a caveat; you may experience slower speeds. Plus, your connection may be interrupted if there's beam obstruction. And in some places, satellite internet can be more costly.

However, if you're located in a rural area, you may not have the luxury of choosing other options, such as DSL, cable, or fiber. In that case, satellite may be the only option. Otherwise, you may be stuck using your smartphone as a 4G hotspot (which isn't very great).

Things to Consider When You're Looking at Internet Service

Obviously, you'll be using the internet to work from home, so that's the most important bit. If your work is very data-intensive, then spending more money for more bandwidth is ideal. Otherwise, getting basic speeds should be enough to handle things like checking emails and writing out documents on Google Suite.

But what else will you be using the internet for? And more specifically, what will your family be using it for?

For instance, think about if you're on your own and just need to check emails and write on Google Docs. Now compare that with a household of 4 where the kids love playing video games and streaming videos all day long.

Also, think about whether you want connected or wireless internet. While going wireless is nice and allows for more freedom, it does also mean the quality of your connection is compromised a bit. Connecting through an ethernet can feel restricting, but it will provide your computer or laptop with solid and quick internet.

Some Great Internet Service Providers

Now you know what the common types of internet are. Next, you should take a look at the popular internet service providers and compare them to figure out which one's best for you.

CenturyLink

CenturyLink is an ISP that's been around since 1930. Obviously, they haven't been providing internet services since then, but they're an experienced telecommunications company.

They offer DSL and fiber, so if you're in an area where you don't have fiber access, you can still fall back on DSL. CenturyLink also has very affordable prices, so for most households, it can be a solid choice.

If you're not a fan of signing up for contracts, then you're in luck with CenturyLink. They have no contracts, which means you're free to switch ISPs whenever you want if you wish. Plus, they have a Price for Life guarantee, which locks in the prices you pay.

Viasat

Viasat is an ISP that offers satellite internet. While they've only just launched their satellite in 2017, they quick rose to the top of big-name ISPs. They're truly a lifesaver if you live somewhere rural, as you're probably not able to get options like DSL, cable, or fiber.

They offer some of the quickest speeds for satellite internet, and you can only expect that to only improve. They're planning on launching 3 more satellites in 2021, which will make them the world's first global ISP.

There are 6 sets of plans available and you must sign a 2-year contract. But if you want to break it early, you only have to pay $15 per each month left on the contract. You can also sign a no-contract plan, but then you have to pay an upfront equipment cost of $300 instead of leasing it.

Spectrum

Spectrum (or Charter Spectrum) first appeared on the scene in 2014, although Charter Communications was first founded in 1999. They provide just cable internet, so you don't have choices with this company.

They also only have 1 package, so it's either that or nothing. This can be useful for people who don't like to spend time comparing packages. On the other hand, it can be a disadvantage since you're stuck with just one plan.

However, this plan offers up to 100 Mbps, which means it should be more than enough for a household of 4.

HughesNet

HughesNet is part of Hughes Network System, which has been around since 1971. They've been offering their satellite internet services ever since 1996 and was first known as DirecPC.

If you want to get a simple internet plan that'll be cost-efficient, then HughesNet is it. They only offer 1 download speed of 25 Mbps and don't have mid-contract price adjustments. You can get anywhere from 10 Gb to 50 GB, but the most cost-efficient plans are 10 and 20 GB.

If you want anything quicker than that, you might want to consider Viasat instead. Do keep in mind that because they're both satellite services, they won't work well with VPN servers.

AT&T

If you want to go with a well-known telecommunications company, then try AT&T. They were first founded in 1983 and are one of the biggest brands people know.

Because they're such a big company, AT&T is able to offer different choices, such as DSL, cable, and fiber. They also have great coverage all throughout the country.

Upgrade Your Internet Today

Now you know what it takes to have an optimal work from home setup, as well as which types of internet are best for what you do. When you combine this with what you now know about the top internet providers, this can assist you in making a choice for your upgrade.

Always remember to shop around for options; taking some extra time to compare each service can make a world of difference. It can save you the time and trouble you need to spend to rectify the situation.

Do you want to switch internet service providers so you can get the best service possible as you work from home? Then take a look at our list now. You can search by zip code!


Viasat WiFi Internet : A Comprehensive Review for 2020

Viasat WiFi Internet : A Comprehensive Review for 2020

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Viasat WiFi Internet : A Comprehensive Review for 2020

So you’ve packed up your things and moved your family away from the hustle and bustle of the BIG City out to the crisp, clean, country air of Rural Town, USA.. but then it hits you...

“What do these country folks do out here for high speed internet?!??”

You start contacting every internet service provider (ISP) you’ve ever been with or heard of from the likes of Comcast Xfinity to Charter Spectrum to AT&T U-Verse to CenturyLink and so on but no ISP seems to service your address.

This realization that fiber optic cables (Fios) and high-speed cable broadband internet connections are all things that you left behind in the Big City along with the traffic lights and fire hydrants can be a HUGE culture shock.

But take a deep breath… There’s no need to stress, satellite internet has got you covered on all your internet WiFi needs. It might not be the highspeed internet option you were looking for but it’s the best option you have.

Today we’re going to take a look at Viasat satellite internet.


A Little About Viasat

Viasat is 1 of 2 major satellite internet providers in the United States. The other one being HughesNet. Headquartered out of Carlsbad, CA, Viasat became a real player in the high-speed internet game after launching their Boeing built Viasat-2 satellite dish into orbit in June of 2017.

This new state of the art technology allows the company to offer customers speeds up to 100Mbps internet speed in select areas which is the highest internet speed via a satellite dish you can find in the US.

Viasat plans to launch a trio of satellites codenamed “Viasat-3” in 2021 and it boasts that it will be a gamechanger for not only Americans in rural areas as far as high speed broadband goes but as well as people all around the globe. They expect to be the world’s first Global ISP. That is not to say that there isn't competition out there, just check out the article on arstechnica.com that speaks about who the competition is and the new space race to provide internet connectivity.

So the future looks bright for all of Viasat’s customers. Let’s now review the broadband plans that they offer.

Viasat Internet Plans

Viasat offers 6 different sets of internet deals. The broadband plans offered to each customer depend on which satellite in orbit your physical location can have a line of sight to (all located in the southern sky). There will never be more than 1 set to choose from.

If you want to quickly check to see which set of Viasat satellite internet plans are available in your area you can click here.

1st set
Plan Speed Equipment ! Leasing Charge Comes with WiFi? Data Streaming Picture Quality Price
Unlimited Bronze 12 12Mbps $10 Yes 40GB 360p $70
Unlimited Silver 25 25Mbps $10 Yes 60GB 480p $100
Unlimited Bronze 50 50Mbps $10 Yes 100GB 720p $150
Unlimited Bronze 100 100Mbps $10 Yes 150GB 1080p $200
2nd set
Plan Speed Equipment ! Leasing Charge Comes with WiFi? Data Streaming Picture Quality Price
Unlimited Bronze 12 12Mbps $10 Yes 40GB 360p $70
Unlimited Silver 25 25Mbps $10 Yes 60GB 480p $100
Unlimited Bronze 50 50Mbps $10 Yes 100GB 720p $150
3rd set
Plan Speed Equipment ! Leasing Charge Comes with WiFi? Data Streaming Picture Quality Price
Unlimited Bronze 12 12Mbps $10 Yes 40GB 360p $70
Unlimited Silver 25 25Mbps $10 Yes 60GB 480p $100
Unlimited Bronze 30 30Mbps $10 Yes 100GB 720p $150
4th set
Plan Speed Equipment ! Leasing Charge Comes with WiFi? Data Streaming Picture Quality Price
Liberty 12 12Mbps Yes No 12GB 360p $50
Liberty 25 12Mbps Yes Yes 25GB 360p $75
Liberty 50 12Mbps Yes Yes 50GB 360p $100
Unlimited Silver 25 25Mbps Yes Yes 100GB 480p $150
5th set
Plan Speed Equipment ! Leasing Charge Comes with WiFi? Data Streaming Picture Quality Price
Liberty 12 12Mbps Yes No 12GB 360p $50
Liberty 25 12Mbps Yes No 25GB 360p $75
Liberty 50 12Mbps Yes No 50GB 360p $100
6th set
Plan Speed Equipment ! Leasing Charge Comes with WiFi? Data Streaming Picture Quality Price
Liberty 12 12Mbps Yes Yes 35GB 360p $100
Liberty 12 12Mbps Yes Yes 45GB 480p $150
Liberty 12 12Mbps Yes Yes 65GB 720p $200

Some key notes:

~ All plans require credit approval and come with a 2-year contract. Breaking the contract is a $15 penalty for every month left remaining on the 2-year agreement. You can enter into a no contract plan if you pay for the equipment upfront costing $300.

~ A credit check will determine any type of startup fees. If you pass the credit check, Installation is typically free but in some areas there will be an install fee up to $150 but can vary.

Failed credit checks doesn’t mean you cannot get the service. It just means that you didn’t qualify for the lease option for the equipment and you will have to pay $300 for the equipment upfront along with any installation fee if there is any.

~ The upload speed of 3Mbps is universal on all plans.

~ Viasat offers a “Lifetime Lease Fee” option that will erase the equipment leasing charge of $10 off of every bill. If you do the math, it’s equivalent of paying $10 for 30 months or 2 ½ years which could add savings in the long run if you plan on being a long-term customer.


~ Plans that do not include Wi-Fi will require you to provide your own router if you want wireless internet. Otherwise you will be provided with just a modem that can ethernet into the back of one device at a time. You can pick up a router at your local Best Buy for as little as $30.

~ “Unlimited” plans come unlimited data along with a set usage data threshold. When you reach your set usage threshold, you can still use the internet, but you may or may not experience slower speeds during network congestion (3-5Mbps); typically the early morning or early evening hours, when Viasat’s network sees the most traffic from people who are home using the internet.

Viasat is very good at regulating the distribution of data which keeps network congestion at a minimum which should also minimize any type of slow down periods for any customers who’ve exceeded their set usage data threshold.

~ “Liberty” plans still come with unlimited data but you’re more likely to see slowdowns with your speed if you are to exceed your plan’s data cap as opposed to the “Unlimited” plans.

“Liberty” plans also come with a “Free Zone” which happens every day between the hours of 3am-6am where you can use as much data as you’d like without pulling from your monthly data allowance.

~ Home Phone with unlimited local and long distance calling with all major calling features (3 way calling, call waiting, caller ID, voicemail, etc.) can be added for $19.99 more a month for the first 6 months and reverts to its regular price of $29.99. There is no contract for the phone, just the internet.

~ All internet packages require a valid form of payment (debit/credit card or banking account) on file that will be set for auto bill pay. You can choose to go without auto bill pay for an additional monthly fee of $5.

~ Customers are also allowed to suspend their account AKA “Vacation Mode” for up to 6 months out of the year and will only be charge the monthly equipment leasing charge ($10) during those months. This comes in handy for 2nd homes or vacation properties.

~ Viasat offers an ongoing $10 monthly bundle discount for all DirecTV satellite TV subscribers.

Viasat Internet vs. DSL Internet

Viasat or satellite internet, in general, will always offer better internet speeds than a DSL (phone line) internet connection. This is particularly true because satellite internet is a dedicated connection to one’s home.

When you’re with a DSL provider (ATT, CenturyLink, Frontier, etc.) you’re on a shared network. Being on a shared network means your speeds/bandwidth are affected by other customers in your neighborhood running off the same internet/telephone line as you and vice versa. DSL speeds are low to begin with so having to share them with other customers can make it very slow to do the most basic of internet functions.

So if your next door neighbor, who is a fellow DSL subscriber, starts watching a cat video on YouTube, you’ll see that your internet speed has been lowered; conversely, you can return the favor by starting up a movie on Netflix, dropping their speeds and bandwidth as well. That’s neighborly love!

With satellite internet, you’re only competing with the rest of your household members for your internet speeds. With DSL you’re competing with not only your household but also all your neighbors which can make the next neighborhood block party pretty awkward.


Viasat vs. HughesNet

For the longest time, HughesNet was King when it came to satellite broadband internet. When someone living in a rural area searched for internet it almost always ended with a HughesNet technician installing a dish on their property.

But then something happened... The day to day needs of the common internet consumer changed. And it all came down to one main internet practice... STREAMING.

You can rarely find a person nowadays who doesn’t subscribe to a Netflix or Hulu or Amazon Prime or most recently, Disney Plus account or at least borrows one of their family members’ or friend’s login (Don’t worry your secret is safe with me). Heck, even our smartphones nowadays come with these apps preinstalled not to mention YouTube.

HughesNet’s dated satellite technology just can’t handle the amount of data that is required to comfortably stream video throughout a month’s period. They offer 4 plans which all come with the speed of 25Mbps.

The internet speed of 25Mbps is not the issue here because only 5Mbps is required to stream in 1080p on any of these platforms without buffering. The real issue is their extremely low “soft data caps” of 10GB, 20GB, 30GB, and 50GB (50GB will run you about $160 a month). HughesNet’s plans are very similar to Viasat’s “Liberty” plans.

A “soft data cap” means that your internet won’t stop working nor will you pay overages if you go over your plan’s data limit, you’ll just be put down to a lowered speed, typically 3 to 5Mbps, for the remainder of the billing period unless you call in to HughesNet customer service to purchase “Data Tokens” or upgrade to a higher plan. 3-5Mbps could cripple a family’s home when it comes to any internet action. We’re talking speeds similar to the “AOL Days” (America Online). “You’ve Got Mail! It’s just going to take a minute to load...

Viasat saw this need in the market and created a technology alongside Boeing (well-known company that creates aircraft and spacecraft) that could handle streaming and finally give the cordcutters what they’ve been wanting in rural America. This was all launched in June of 2017 and may also be the same month HughesNet was dethroned as King.

Mostly all areas of the country have access to Viasat’s “Unlimited” plans which yeah, they say has a “soft data cap” but you’re not guaranteed a slowdown once you hit the plan’s data allowance. It only would be throttled if the network is being slammed with congestion. Viasat claims that on all their “Unlimited” plans you’re allowed approximately 100hrs of video streaming without risking exceeding your monthly data cap.

Speed is another factor that HughesNet cannot compete with Viasat on. Again, HughesNet can only offer 25Mbps whereas Viasat can offer most customers speeds up to 100Mbps. Granted the 100Mbps plan comes with a hefty price tag of $200/month but to some it’s worth every penny when it comes to having the best possible internet they can have at their home.


Limitations of Viasat Satellite Internet

There’s really 2 main limitations when it comes to Viasat satellite wifi which aren’t just a Viasat issue, they’re a satellite internet issue in general (HughesNet suffers from the same). These 2 limitations are Online Video Gaming and Virtual Private Networking (VPN). Both experience problems due to latency.

Certain video games that require an instant response in online multiplayer arenas will suffer due to lag or latency. Essentially, you’ll hit a button and it will take 0.5-3 seconds for the desired action to happen on screen. It’s enough to make the most hardcore gamer rage and throw their controller through a television screen.

This all stems from the fact that the signal needs to travel from your home to outer space to hit the satellite dish in orbit and then back down to earth to the gaming servers and then back to your home, which in turn, causes this latency. It travels the speed of light but it’s still a long way up and down. Wired internet services do not have to travel to outer space and do not suffer from this latency.

First person shooters, battle royale, and sports games will suffer the most from this.

All other gaming needs will work just fine with Viasat like single player games, casino games, game apps on tablets and phones, as well as downloading new games and updates for your games.


VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) suffer from the same exact issue. Although many times when it comes to VPN’ing, you’ll just be kicked out of the virtual network altogether. Most VPN’s require information to be constantly fed to its server, otherwise it thinks it’s being attacked or hacked into. With satellite’s latency the VPN will consider your connection as a hacking attempt and will boot you from the server.

Many online gamers and people who need to connect to a VPN to work from home remedy these 2 issues by taking advantage of the “mobile hotspot” feature included on most smartphone cell phone plans. Because there's usually a monthly data cap with mobile hotspots, they use the hotspot to game and work and use the satellite internet service for all other online activities. Pro tips!


The Verdict

Viasat’s technology alone sets them apart from the “other options” in rural areas. They can offer much higher internet speeds and bandwidth than DSL and their main satellite competitor, HughesNet.

Their pricing is rather high when comparing to other providers but I guess it comes down to the old adage “You get what you pay for”.

Despite limitations on online gaming and VPN’s they look to be the #1 option for streamers and heavy internet users in rural areas.

An easy way to see what Viasat can offer at your address is to use a reliable site like KonectEaze. One of their professional agents can determine serviceability for your home and go over the speeds and plans available to you.


Can Poor Credit Score Stop You from Getting a Reliable Satellite Internet?

Can a poor credit score be a problem when getting a satellite internet connection for your home or office? Find the answer in this blog.

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Can Poor Credit Score Stop You from Getting a Reliable Satellite Internet?

The short answer: Well, not really. Unless, of course, you have really really bad credit score.  

For the long answer?

Read on…

It’s a norm for satellite internet providers in the U.S to check customer credit histories before approving their application. 

Why do they so?

The reason is simple; to minimize their losses. 

Satellite internet equipment can be relatively expensive.  Much more so than other internet options. As such, some customers can have a hard time paying their satellite internet bills. Since, collection efforts can be expensive for satellite internet providers; they choose to run credit checks to ensure that a prospective customer won’t run default on their payments.  These credit checks can fall into two categories, soft and hard.  When a company like AT&T (Directv)  does a hard credit check, your credit is impacted and often times your social is used to run your credit.  Viasat on the other hand performs a soft credit check which only uses your date of birth, name and address.  This can produce a more favorable result sometimes and has little to no impact on your credit score. 

So, what if a customer has a poor credit score? Will they be denied the service?

It depends on two things:

1)    What satellite internet provider are we talking about?

2)    How bad is the credit score?

Let’s take a detailed look. 

HughesNet

HughesNet will perform credit check. 

When they do, and if they find your credit score on the low side, they won’t exactly reject your service request, but they may not offer you discounts or access to their amazing leasing programs. Another downside is you may be in for some hefty deposits if your credit score is too low.  The Hughesnet deals offered to lower credit customers does not differ from the better credit customers.  The main difference is equipment cost as the hughesnet packages for lower credit customer also does not differ either.  

That said, you can still expect to receive a good internet deal from HughesNet, given the company’s reputation for providing top-notch customer service. Hughesnet high speed internet service is also ideal for consumers who live in more rural areas where services like AT&T internet are not available.  Satellite internet like Hughesnet and Viasat are known for providing quality high speed internet for folks who like to live off of the beaten path but still want to stay connected.  

Viasat

Viasat performs mandatory credit checks for every application. However, the good news is that they exercise a flexible policy to accommodate customers who have a poor credit score. Viasat packages are reasonably priced as well.  

Unless your credit score is really bad, and we mean really really bad, the company won’t reject your application.  Another thing we have found is that customers tend to think they have worse credit than they really do.  This leads to people who are genuinely interested in ordering new internet service for their home, being scared to get started because they fear the results of the credit check.  You will find that when you speak with an like the folks over at Konecteaze, they have options for customers of all credit levels.

Our recommendation is don't be scared and you will actually be surprised at how we will be able to find you a fast, reliable, reasonably priced internet service, regardless of your credit. 

DIRECTV

DIRECTV was purchased by AT&T and although it does not provide its own satellite internet services, it does partner with other ISPs to offer satellite internet packages to customers. Typically when ordering Directv, the agent will automatically see if ATT internet is available so that you can take advantage of their bundle offers.  If AT&T high speed internet is not available, they may try to sell you DSL.  AT&T DSL is cheaper but extremely slow which may inhibit common internet activities like streaming.  Face between the decision of DSL or satellite internet like Hughesnet or Viasat, satellite internet is the clear choice. 

So, the credit requirements for DIRECTV depend on the type of package you choose. Still, it’s very rare that the company will reject your application based on poor credit score. Most of the times, they’d ask you to make an adequate down payment to avail the service. This deposit can be as low as $100 to as high as $300 for the satellite equipment.  The deposit is typically paid back to you on each bill $5 at a time.  The good thing is  paying your Directv bill, or any bill for that matter, on time, will surely help to increase your credit score and allow you to take advantage of future new customer promotions like the $200 gift card being offered by some providers right now.

The other thing to consider is your Directv package cost will be the same wether your credit is good or not so the only upfront cost with ATT is the deposit.  

Conclusion

A poor credit score can hold you back in a lot of ways, but not when it comes to getting a reliable satellite internet service for your home or office internet needs. 

At KonectEaze, you can shop for the best satellite internet deal by simply entering your zip code. Get started here!


Highspeed Broadband Internet News Blog

News highlights and information related to Internet Service Providers, Television, and the world of Highspeed Broadband Internet.

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Highspeed Broadband Internet News Blog

 

Another glorious Thursday.  No better day to find out what is going on in the world of cable, highspeed broadband internet and tv.

 

February 12, 2020

02/12/2020

 

 

·      Spectrum to issue refunds:  

o   It looks customers who were affected by that nasty outage for spectrum TV, internet and phone services are in for some money back.  According to spectrum Customers can call the company’s customer service line at (855) 707-7328. Spectrum has not said how much the refund will be, but my guess is, it won’t be much.  Either way it’s worth giving them a call to see how much money you are entitled to.  

You can read more about what caused the outage here SPECTRUM OUTAGE

 

·      Optimum Cable to raise prices

o   Optimum cable customers are probably a little lighter in the wallet this month after the cable company announced it would raise their cable rates by $20 in July.  While companies like AT&T, Centurylink and Xfinity are trying to figure out how to navigate the cord cutting era, Optimum has decided to buck the trend and charge more for a service many say is outdated.  Cord cutters blog reported today that the rates have already gone into effect so for Optimum customers looking for other options, now may be a good time to hit up Konecteaze’s Zip Code Lookup Tool

 

·      Alaska to get better internet

o   If you were planning on moving to Alaska and were worried about internet connectivity, it looks like your fears have been addressed.  According to an article by Alaska Public Media new sattelites were lauched last week with the intent of providing high speed internet coverage for all of Alaska.  It looks like this was the first phase of the project who is a Astranis Space Technologies Corporation and Pacific Dataport Incorporated

 

·      Looks like the FCC Broadband maps are flawed

o   If you were curious and wanted to find out which parts of the country does AT&T offer high speed broadband internet, or if Centurylink is offered in Denver, the logical thing to do would be to head over to the FCC’s Broadband map and take a look at their data.  Well according to an article in Routefifty.com, the FCC map is pretty flawed and States are taking matters into their own hands . States are individually trying to accurately identify how many of its residents actually have access to high speed internet .  High speed internet is considered anything over 25mbps.  That might actually seem slow to some of us but believe it or not, millions of Americans still don’t have access to fast internet and often have to rely on mobile hot spots just to send an email.