Viasat, Hughesnet, Centurylink, AT&T, Spectrum and other ISP's Response to Coronavirus 

Updated 03/13/2020 3:37pm

Internet providers are doing some pretty cool things to help consumers during this time of uncertainty. With Americans looking to telecommuting and work from home options due to the coronavirus (covid-19) spread, we decided to keep you posted with live up to the minute updates about your internet service providers policy changes.    Here is an up to date breakdown of which ISP’s are doing what: 

Spectrum

Charter Communications a.k.a Spectrum, will be offering free highspeed internet access to households that have children in school or to college/university students who are not already customers of Spectrum internet.  To see if Charter’s Spectrum service is available in your area, check out Konecteaze zip code look up tool. 

Mediacom

Mediacom announced that customers on all of their different internet tiers will receive 50GB of additional data.  This policy change will last through March 31.  Mediacom has stated that at that time they will assess the situation and decide if an extension or a change in the policy is needed.  Mediacom's has a wide range when it comes to its data caps.  On the low end you will find caps of 150GB but on the high end you can get a whopping 6TB of data before you see overage charges.  Overage charges are typically $10 for blocks of 50GB of data.

Cox Communications

Cox Cable hasn’t announced any changes in their policies just yet.  They did however issue a statement which in part read “Cox will use its communications network to support government officials with their public service announcements and other critical information to assist the public. Cox currently has a low-income broadband program and is exploring additional ways to expand the initiative if the virus forces school closings”.   We will keep you posted if COX announces any changes,

Suddenlink 

Suddenlink who is owned by Altice, was also non-committal about if it would loosen or suspend data caps, as some of the other major internet providers have done.  Suddenlink Altice issued a statement which was similar to COX which said, "We are closely monitoring network usage and are assessing all of our policies and procedures to best support our customers during this unprecedented time,".  It seems like outside of the top 3 cable and internet companies; the others are still holding off when it comes to loosening data restrictions.  We wonder how long that will last given that Spectrum and ATT have announced data and policy changes due to the coronavirus.

Viasat

Viasat, formerly named Exede satellite Internet service, offers unlimited plans with no hard caps so overages aren’t a huge concern.  That being said, once you do go over the allotted data you can expect your service to slow down which is not good if you are streaming. As with most fiber internet, cable internet and satellite internet providers Viasat allows you to buy more data so there is that option.   Viasat should expect more internet traffic and data usage as do most providers now that more social distancing is occurring, and people are staying home.  The fact is if you have satellite internet like Viasat or Hughesnet, you are probably ready and have been practicing social distancing since these providers are typically used in rural areas

Hughesnet

Hughesnet has not released a statement regarding their plans to alter or change any of their policies in light of the anticipated need in more internet bandwidth due to social distancing and working from home caused by the coronavirus scare.  

Comcast Xfinity

Comcast whose service goes by the name Xfinity, is the largest provider for residential internet service in the United States.  Comcast has not commented on whether it plans to suspend data caps in light of the anticipation of the increased need of bandwidth.  So, for now nothing has changed when it comes to Xfinity’s data caps.  Comcast did however announce today that they will be raising the speeds on their internet essentials package.  Currently that package allows for   15Mbps download/2Mbps upload.  The change in Xfinity’s internet Essentials plan bumps that up to a blazing 25Mbps/3Mbps.  This service is offered as an option for low income Americans.  On top of bumping up the speed for existing customer Comcast also announce they will be giving 60 days of free Internet service to new Xfinity customers who qualify under their low-income package.  Again, no other changes to any other internet packages have been announced.

AT&T

AT&T has really stepped it up during the Coronavirus Pandemic.  They have announced that they will be removing data caps.  Now although most of their customers are already on unlimited plans any overages which may have been incurred by those who are not will now be waived.  AT&T typically offers unlimited data when you bundle your internet service with either Uverse or DirecTV or when you sign up for a super high-speed gigabit package.  When you are not on one of these packages and still need unlimited data, you can always purchase that option for $30 more per month.   It is important to remember this only applies to AT&T’s residential internet service and not to its mobile service.  Don’t go burning up your hotspot data quite yet or you could be in for a big bill.  

Centurylink

Stay tuned as we will be updating this blog as we receive more information.  

Viasat vs Hughesnet: Which Is Best for Your Internet Needs in 2020

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.

Viasat vs HughesNet: Where's the Coverage At?

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 Internet Plans

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 Plans

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.

Viasat vs HughesNet: Price Comparison

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:

• Liberty 25 - Starts at $50, goes up to $75.
• Liberty 50 - Starts at $75, goes up to $100.
• Unlimited Bronze 12 - Starts at $50, goes up to $70.
• Unlimited Silver 12 - Starts at $100, goes up to $150.
• Unlimited Silver 25 - Starts at $70, goes up to $100.
• Unlimited Gold 12 - Starts at $150, goes up to $200.
• Unlimited Gold 30 - Starts at $100, goes up to $150.
• Unlimited Gold 50 - Starts at $100, goes up to $150.
• Unlimited Platinum 100 - Starts at $150, goes up to $200.

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.

Which Provider Has the Best Customer Service?

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.

Equipment: Lease or Purchase?

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.

Viasat vs HughesNet: Who Has the Best Download Speeds?

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.

Which Provider Gives the Best Data Plans?

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 vs HughesNet: Bundle Packages

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.

Contracts and the Fine Print

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.

Choose the Provider That Works Best for You

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!

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

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

~ 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.

~ “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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.  

February 10, 2020

02/10/2020

Hey there Internet Explorers!  Here are some quick hits about what is going on in the world of broadband internet, satellite internet and internet service providers.

·      The Broadband Space Race is on:  

o   Last Thursday, February 6, 2020, a rocket was sent into space with the intent of changing up the landscape of what internet providers can offer from a speed and availability standpoint.  No its not AT&T, Comcast (Xfinity), Spectrum or some other big cable company trying to dominate the airwaves.  Instead, the rocket was equipped with several of hundreds of satellites to be deployed by OneWeb Satellite and SpaceX.  The goal of this and future launches is to cast a web of hundreds of satellites circling the globe aimed at giving high speed 5G internet access to each and every person on the planet.  Believe it or not, there are still rural parts of the United States that have very little access to high speed internet.  These folks have had to resort to satellite internet providers like HughesNet and Viasat to be able to provide them internet access.  Not to be outdone, HughesNet and Viasat are planning to harness the power of their existing network as well as new innovations to ensure they stay on top of the satellite internet game.  More on that to come in the near future…

·      Not as many people have Access to High Speed Internet as previously thought:

o   According to a PC Magazine article It looks like the FCC may have botched how it reported the number of Americans who have access to broadband high speed internet.  Believe it or not the article states over 42 million people don’t have internet fast enough to stream their favorite shows on Netflix. 

·      Rural Digital Opportunity Fund: 

o   Yaaay! Faster internet for all.  In January 2020, the FCC decided to allocate over 10 Billion in funding to help provide fast internet to the rest of the United States.   The Rural Digital Opportunity fund will create jobs, opportunity and most important of all the ability of all Americans to be able to binge watch their shows on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime.  

·      Down goes Spectrum:

o   Spectrum High Speed Internet television and phone service came to an abrupt halt over the weekend leaving many of their customers upset, frustrated and disconnected from the online world.  This affected areas of New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and various other cities and states on the North East Coast.  It seems as though bad weather was to blame.  I just hope those customers had their DVR’s filled or old DVD’s to help pass the time trapped in their homes.