Looking to upgrade or switch your internet service? You have options! Explore the best internet providers that 2020 has to offer.
05 December, 2023 | Posted by: Pablo Mendoza
Category: Reviews, Internet | No Comments
About 90% of all adults in the United States use the internet.
The internet has undergone rapid growth in recent years. Between 2018 and 2019, there was an increase in new internet users by 9%. There are numerous ways how the internet has transformed people's lives, from e-commerce to social media to emails.
As internet usage has increased, so too have the options available to people. There are five common types of broadband internet connections: digital subscriber line (DSL), fiber, cable, wireless, and satellite.
This guide will examine the best internet provider in speed, price, reliability, and customer satisfaction. If you're curious about what your internet options are, then keep reading to see an in-depth breakdown of the various kinds.
DSL uses wireline transmission technology. It is able to transmit data through the traditional copper telephone lines installed at homes and businesses.
The most popular DSL internet providers around are:
Winner: CenturyLink
CenturyLink is the second largest DSL provider, covering over 48 million people in 39 states.
It offers a vast array of plans. Some of the more expensive plans top out at the highest possible speeds when for DSL. The speeds are so high that it outdoes all other top DSL providers, topping out at 100 Mbps.
CenturyLink also has what's called Price for Life. This means that the plan you sign up for won't change throughout the duration of your service at the same address.
Winner: CenturyLink
The internet deals that CenturyLink offers are straightforward. Basically, you'll pay $49 per month, and your download speeds can reach up to 100 Mbps. It also has a Price for Life set-up, which means your monthly bill will never increase on you.
Winner: Verizon
If you hate contracts, then Verizon will be a great choice for you. There are no fees for canceling your service early. The lack of a contract gives you the flexibility to do a test run of Verizon's DSL internet. If you don't like the speeds and rates it offers, you're free to walk away with no obligations.
Verizon's data limit is high, topping out around 1.5 terabytes. If you aren't sure what that translates to, it's more than enough data for an entire family to stream and do online gaming without encountering any issues.
Customer service for Verizon is also top-notch. If you encounter any issues, the customer service representatives will do everything in their power to help you and remain pleasant throughout the process.
Winner: AT&T
AT&T is one of the largest DSL providers around and with good reason. It brings coverage to 21 states and around 120 million people.
While many other internet service providers use unclear language and include hidden fees in the contract, AT&T is transparent. This includes the actual amount you'll pay for the coverage you choose, including activation fees, installation fees, and more. This makes customers happy. No one likes feeling tricked and AT&T does its best to help people feel in control.
Download speeds for AT&T range between 1-10 Mbps. These speeds are enough for two people to surf the web at the same time.
Fiber internet service changes electrical signals with data into light and sends it through transparent glass fibers. Fiber is a high-speed internet service that exceeds DSL and cable modem.
The top fiber internet providers around are:
Winner: CenturyLink
CenturyLink brings some of the top speeds around. It's starting price is $65 per month, and you'll get 100 Mbps of internet. While CenturyLink may be pricier than other options, that price is locked in and will never rise.
If you are a family who enjoys streaming different shows at once or gaming together, you'll need these high Mbps speeds to ensure no lag time or buffering.
Winner: Frontier
Frontier is aimed at the West Coast, so if you don't live in California, Idaho, Oregon, Texas, or Washington, then this internet provider likely won't be available to you.
The internet provider has a plan that starts at $30 per month with 50 Mbps speeds. The other plan it provides is $40 per month with speeds up to 500 Mbps.
Winner: AT&T
No matter where you live, AT&T brings widespread coverage. At the moment, AT&T is the largest fiber network in the United States.
Verizon is flexible with its plans and also offers bundling options. You're able to customize your TV and internet and phone services.Â
Internet speeds with AT&T are top-notch and its customer service continually wins high marks for satisfaction. Overall, AT&T is a reliable internet service provider where you can get great speed and service, though at a somewhat higher price than other providers.
Winner: Verizon
Verizon brings great fiber speeds and unlimited data. However, it's the customer service that makes Verizon shine.
The internet provider is consistent in providing excellent customer service and has top marks with Consumer Reports and the American Consumer Satisfaction Index.
If you choose Verizon, you'll know you're getting reliable internet speeds, decent costs, and clear billing with no hidden fees.
A cable modem service is able to allow cable providers to provide broadband service using the coaxial cables of your television. A cable modem is a separate device you must purchase. It has two connections that must plug in: one to the cable wall outlet, the other to the computer.
The most common cable internet providers are:
Winner: Mediacom
Mediacom brings a massive range in speeds. It's lowest plan starts at 60 Mbps and then skyrockets up to 1,000 Mbps
If you have a large family where you'll have one person using the wifi, another streaming their favorite show on Netflix, and someone else playing online games, then Mediacom has you covered. Mediacom caters to heavy internet users who feel the need for speed.
Winner: Xfinity
Xfinity offers the widest range of plans, which means it also has some of the cheaper internet options. Its plans start at 10 Mbps and go all the way up to 2,000 Mbps in certain locations.
The cheapest plan it offers is known as the Performance Starter. It prices out at $29.99 per month and gives 25 Mbps.
If you're looking for something a bit more midrange, then there's the Performance plan. You'll pay $34.99 per month for it, and get up to 100 Mbps.
If you need super high speeds to handle your gaming and streaming needs, then go with the Extreme Pro. It costs $74.99 per month and offers 600 Mbps.
Winner: Spectrum
Spectrum is the only service provider in this category that doesn't do data caps. That alone was enough to help it win the reliability category. No matter how much internet surfing you do, at the end of the month, you won't be penalized.
Winner: Cox
As far as cable internet providers go, Cox Communications steals the show for customer satisfaction. It gets high scores in customer service on a consistent basis. Cox gives reliable service, high internet speeds, and has customer service representatives and technicians who go out of their way to ensure you are happy with your service.
Wireless makes use of a radio link between your home and the service provider to provide broadband internet. People who live in remote areas where DSL or cable aren't available often opt to use wireless.
Winner: Rise Broadband
In 2019, Rise Broadband won multiple awards for its high internet speeds as a fixed wireless provider. Rise Broadband won the Top Internet Speeds Nationwide award and the Top 3 Fastest Fixed Wireless Providers Nationwide award.
Winner: One Ring Networks
One Ring Networks is one of the top fixed wireless internet providers in the United States. It offers several different plans to choose from, which means more options to choose from that start at lower prices.
Winner: Rise Broadband
Rise Broadband has wide availability as one of the largest fixed wireless providers in America. It's also easier than other options when it comes to setting up service as a new subscriber.
Winner: One Ring Networks
One Ring Networks has won multiple awards as a top fixed wireless internet provider. It provides several different plans to choose from with great speed, and gets consistent high marks for its customer service.
A satellite internet service requires that a satellite dish be installed on your property. It then bounces a signal between the dish and a satellite orbiting the earth. Satellite is a type of wireless broadband.
Some of the top satellite internet providers around are:
Winner: Viasat
If you want the fastest internet speeds possible, then Viasat is the way to go. It boasts speeds up to 100 Mbps and a data cap of up to 150 GB.
It has a wide range of plans to choose from, as well. Its lowest plan starts at $30 per month and gives you 12 MBps. Its highest plan goes up to $150 per month with 100 Mbps.
Winner: HughesNet
Viasat hikes its prices up on you after the first three months, which means HughesNet is the winner for affordability. HughesNet offers transparent pricing that won't go up after a few months.
HughesNet doesn't price its plans according to download speeds. Instead, it prices out its plans by how high the data cap goes.
The cheapest plan starts at $59.99 per month. Like with all the plans, you'll get 25 Mbps. Where it differs is the data cap. With this plan, you'll have a data cap of 10 GB.
The next plan up is $69.99 per month and has a data cap of 20 GB.
After that, there's a bigger step up in price. The next plan up is $99.99 per month. You still get 25 Mbps, but your data cap is 30 GB.
The most expensive plan is another sizeable jump at $150 per month. However, it also has the highest data cap at 50 GB. This plan is more than enough to cover a family of four that is streaming and gaming at the same time.
Winner: Viasat
Viasat brings top-notch internet speeds with data caps that go as high as 150 GB. Its internet service runs smooth with few interruptions, making it the best choice for any family with heavy internet users.
Winner: HughesNet
When it comes to HughesNet vs Viasat, HughesNet wins in the area of customer satisfaction.
There are no mid-contract price hikes with HughesNet, unlike with Viasat. Also, all of HughesNet's plans are clear and transparent. You know what you're getting for what you pay.
If you're shopping around for internet, you've likely tried Googling internet service providers in my area. However, that'll pull up every single internet provider under the sun, from cable to satellite.
When you're doing a search of internet providers near me or internet service in my area, be sure to whittle down the results by also including the type of provider you want.
From there, be sure to compare the various providers in the key areas that are most important to you. If youre sick of dealing with customer service reps with bad attitudes, look for a service provider that has stellar ratings in customer satisfaction.
On a budget? Look for internet providers that offer numerous plans at different prices. Have a family of gamers that gobble up data? You'll want to find an internet provider that brings high internet speeds and no data cap.
Choosing the best internet provider can be a complicated process, but it's well worth the effort.
Make a list of the top providers in your area, and then write down the pros and cons of each. Look at the different packages they offer, the prices of each, and how their customer service is rated. Also, be sure to look out for hidden fees. Some internet providers like to sneak in a price hike after you've been with them for a couple of months.
Use Konecteaze today to search for providers and compare plans.
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.
29 March, 2022 | Posted by: Pablo Mendoza
Category: Deals & Packages, Reviews | No Comments
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
19 April, 2020 | Posted by: Pablo Mendoza
Category: Deals & Packages, Reviews, Tips | No Comments
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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" 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 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.
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.Â
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.
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).
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.
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 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 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 (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 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.
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.
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!
When you become a new homeowner finding an internet provider may seem tricky. Read on to learn about Viasat vs Hughesnet and which is best for you.
19 April, 2020 | Posted by: Pablo Mendoza
Category: Reviews, Internet, Service Providers | No Comments
According to the 2018 American Community Survey, over 8.4 million households use satellite internet.
That's around 6% of the total population in America. Most households who choose satellite internet live in rural areas where cable isn't offered.
Two of the largest satellite providers in the U.S. are Viasat and HughesNet. Are you wondering which internet provider is the best for you? In this guide, we'll do an in-depth comparison of Viasat vs HughesNet.
In terms of coverage density, the far south in Key West, Florida and then much of Michigan, and other extreme rural areas, seem to use Viasat the most. HughesNet is scattered throughout the rest of the U.S.
HughesNet offers a variety of internet package plans. Each plan varies in price based on how much GB data you want.
10 GB Data Plan - This plan starts at $59.99/month. The download speed is up to 25 Mbps, and upload speed is up to 3 Mbps. If you exceed 10 GB for the month, you'll stay connected, but at reduced speeds. This plan is best for light internet users who stream around 15 hours of video in a given month.
20 GB Data Plan - Starting at $69.99/month, the 20 GB data plan gives a download speed up to 25 Mbps and an upload speed up to 3 Mbps. The average internet user will find this plan the most appealing. This plan is able to accommodate streaming up to 30 hours of video per month with ease.
30 GB Data Plan - This plan starts at $99.99/month. It offers the same download and upload speeds as the other plans. If you have a family who all enjoy gaming and streaming their own shows in their rooms, you'll want this plan. The 30 GB data plan is able to handle streaming up to 45 hours of video in a given month.
50 GB Data Plan - Starting at $149.99/month, the 50 GB data plan affords the same download and upload speed as all the other plans. If you have a larger family who are all heavy internet users, this is the plan for you. This plan is able to stream up to 72 hours of video per month without any issues.
Viasat internet service plans start out cheaper at $30/month, making it a cheaper option than HughesNet. Its download speeds also have a wider range, starting at 12 Mbps and going up to 100 Mbps.
There are multiple Viasat unlimited internet plans to choose from. However, be aware that “unlimited” doesn’t mean they give unlimited high-speed data. Each plan gives a certain amount of priority data, then you’ll hit a “soft cap” where the internet speed slows down.
Liberty 12 - This is the cheapest Viasat plan at $30/month. The download speed is at 12 Mbps, and it has a data cap at 12 GB.
Liberty 25 - The Liberty 25 plan starts at $50/month. You get 12 Mbps with the plan and a data cap of 25 GB.
Liberty 50 - The final Liberty plan, this one starts at $75/month. You get 12 Mbps with the plan, and up to 75 GB.
Unlimited Bronze 12 - The first step in the Bronze plan, this one starts at $50/month. It gives a download speed of 12 MBps, and has a data cap of 35 GB.
Unlimited Bronze 25 - This plan starts at $50/month. Bronze has a download speed of 25 Mbps, and a data cap of 35 GB.
Unlimited Silver 12 - The bottom Silver tier, this plan is $100/month. You can get 12 Mbps for your download speed, and have a data ap of 45 GB.
Unlimited Silver 25 - Silver starts at $70/month. The plan gives 25 Mbps, and has a data cap of 60 GB.
Unlimited Gold 12 - The bottom tier Gold plan, this starts at $150/month. You get a download speed of 12 Mbps, and a data cap of 65 GB.
Unlimited Gold 30 - The next step up in the Gold tier, this plan is $100/month. You get a download speed of 30 Mbps, and a data cap of 100 GB.
Unlimited Gold 50 - This plan begins at $100/month, and gives a download speed of 50 Mbps and gives up to 100 GB.
Unlimited Platinum 100 - Platinum begins at $150/month. The plan affords 100 Mbps for downloads, and has a data cap of 150 GB.
With Viasat, you're going to pay more than you will with HughesNet. However, Viasat also offers higher speeds than HughesNet.
Much of what you'll pay will depend upon where you live in the United States. You might be able to find a fast, cheap plan in one state, but then a slower plan at the same cost in another state. It all depends on the region you live in.
With Viasat, after the first three months, the price you pay will go up a fair amount. For example, the Liberty 12 plan may start at $30/month, but after the three-month mark, you'll be looking at $50/month.
Here's how the other Viasat plans price out after three months:
HughesNet is more straightforward and consistent with its pricing. The price that you sign up for remains the same for your whole two-year contract.
You have to turn to the satellite internet reviews of the two providers to determine the quality of their customer service. When looking at HughesNet vs Viasat internet reviews, you'll notice that both are competitive in the customer service field.
Both internet providers offer phone, email, and online chat customer service. If that isn't enough, both also have an online forum where the community on there can give additional help.
Unlike many cable internet providers who charge to install their equipment, both Viasat and HughesNet do free installation. Customers do not have the option to install their own equipment. Though considering installation is free, why would you want to?
Customer service is helpful with both providers and will work with you to choose a time that works best for a technician to come out and install the equipment. All satellite internet requires hardware (like a dish) to be set up outside of the house. The placement of the hardware has a direct impact on how fast the internet runs uninterrupted.
Viasat internet plans all come with free standard installation. If you choose to lease the satellite equipment, you'll pay $9.99/month. This also includes the cost of built-in WiFi.
Viasat also has an option where you can do an upfront lifetime prepaid flat-rate amount of $299.99. If you plan to stay with Viasat for more than two years, this will be the most cost-efficient option for you.
HughesNet also does free installation. It's advised that you choose to lease the equipment, rather than opt to purchase. When you purchase equipment from HughesNet, you'll be stuck with the same equipment and unable to upgrade without paying for it. If you lease, then you're able to do free equipment upgrades.
Satellite is notorious for advertising fast download speeds, but then failing to deliver on the promise. This often comes down to a latency issue, however.
According to a report from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HughesNet delivers on its promised download speeds. In fact, it was shown they even sometimes exceed what is advertised.
Viasat was quite the opposite. The FCC found that Viasat often delivered far slower internet speeds than what they claimed to give.
Customer reviews reflect these findings.
To answer the question of whether HughesNet or Viasat can give you the best data plan, you need to know how much data you use and need.
How much data you need depends on your internet habits. It'll also come down to how many devices you use and how many users will be using the internet in the household.
Do you and your family stream videos often? Are you gaming? How many people use the internet at the same time in the household?
Every 1 GB of data enables the streaming of 30 minutes of videos. Take into consideration how much 1 GB allows when trying to decide how much data you need each month.
With Viasat, they price their internet plans based on where you live. They offer two different types of plans: Liberty and Unlimited.
Liberty is going to give you 12 Mbps download speed. The varying levels of the Liberty plans are priced off of priority data per month. However, if you want to get free extra data, they offer a short window to do so from the late-night hours of 3 AM to 6 AM each day.
HughesNet prices its internet plans based on data allowance. All of the plans come with 25 Mbps for download speed. Their cheapest plan gives 10 GB, and the most expensive one goes up to 50 GB of data. If you go over this allotment, you are penalized with reduced speeds for the remainder of that month.
HughesNet also has a window where you can pull a bonus amount of 50 GB that's separate from the regular allotment. You can only pull from this bonus amount between 1 AM and 8 AM.
Viasat offers bundle packages thanks to their partnership with DIRECTV. HughesNet doesn't offer any bundles whatsoever.
HughesNet's complete lack of bundling options means that Viasat wins in this category. If you live way out in a rural area that's far from the city, odds are satellite is your only option for TV, the same as your internet. Being able to bundle your TV provider with your internet provider is essential when it comes to saving money.
Both Viasat and HughesNet share several similarities, and this includes their contract commitment. Both providers require a 24-month long contract commitment when you first sign up.
With HughesNet, if you cancel within the first 90 days of service, you are hit with an early termination fee of $400. Each month after that first 90 days decreases the early termination fee by $15. So if you quit the month following after the first 90 days, you'd pay $385 instead of $400.
With Viasat, if you terminate your contract early, you must pay $15 for each remaining month within the 24-month agreement. In some areas, Viasat allows you to forgo agreeing to a contract if you pay an extra fee of $300.
If you didn't pay the extra fee to avoid a contract, you'll be stuck paying the early termination fee. This means that if you cancel your service a month into the 24-month contract, you're looking at paying a termination fee of $345 for the 23 months that were remaining.
In the Viasat vs HughesNet debate, both have their strengths and drawbacks.
Though Viasat is pricier, the sheer amount of options it offers makes it easier to choose as an internet provider. It gives faster speeds and more unlimited data. It's also worth noting that the base plan for Viasat is cheaper than HughesNet's base plan. In addition, Viasat's base plan gives a higher data cap than HughesNet.
In the end, it might be best to choose Viasat. You're able to browse through more plan options, have access to higher speeds, and are able to bundle your services if need be.
However, if you need a straightforward, simple plan and don't require much from your internet, HughesNet may be in your best interests. Overall, HughesNet is far cheaper than Viasat. HughesNet keeps its plans priced the same for the duration of your contract. The same can't be said for Viasat, who hikes their prices after your first three months with the provider have passed. The price hike isn't small, either. In most cases, prices increase by an average of $40.
KonectEaze can help you find and compare the best internet provider in your area. Compare providers today by your zip code!
Viasat WiFi Internet : A Comprehensive Review for 2020
25 March, 2022 | Posted by:
Category: Deals & Packages, Reviews, Internet, Service Providers | No Comments
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.
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.
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
~ 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 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.
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.
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!
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.
