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High Speed Internet » Satellite Internet Providers

Satellite Internet ISPs

There are currently several companies providing high speed internet satellite service across the United States. Broadband internet connections are in increasing demand across the country, as consumers find themselves frustrated with the slow access offered by dial-up internet service providers (ISPs), and realizing that they cannot fully participate in the internet if their connections are at slower speeds.

However, the most popular means of high speed internet access, cable and digital subscriber line (DSL) technology, are not available in rural areas and remote communities. The only remaining option, outside of slow dial-up, which is at a maximum of 56 kilobits per second (Kbps), is satellite-based high speed internet. There are now several ISPs that provide broadband satellite access.

High speed internet connections via satellite, like most other types of broadband connections, are faster with download, or downstream speeds (i.e. from the internet to the user’s computer), than they are from the upload or upstream speeds (i.e. from the user’s computer to the internet).

Because of connection / transmission latency, which is inherent in all high speed internet connections via satellite, satellite internet does not work well for real-time online gaming or for Voice over IP (VoIP) telephone services.

For all of the satellite ISPs, the consumer will need to lease or purchase several pieces of equipment, including a satellite dish, mounts, and a satellite modem. Some of the ISPs will allow for self-installation of the equipment but others require that a professional technician perform the installation and alignment. All of the satellite ISPs offer different pricing and speed tiers from which the consumer can select, based on their individual needs.

HughesNet

  • Six tiers from which to choose – Home plan, Pro plan, ProPlus plan, Elite plan, ElitePlus plan, ElitePremium plan
  • Download connection speeds from 1.0 megabits per second (Mbps) to 5.0 Mbps, depending on the plan selected
  • Upload connections speeds from 128 Kbps to 300 Kbps, depending on the selected plan
  • Coverage Area: 48 contiguous states, does not offer service in Alaska or Hawaii
  • Installation: Professional installation is required

SkyWay USA

  • Four tiers from which to choose – Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum
  • Download connection speeds from 256 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps, depending on selected plan
  • Coverage Area: 48 contiguous states, does not offer service in Alaska or Hawaii
  • Installation: Equipment can be self-installed or professionally installed

StarBand

  • Three tiers from which to choose – Nova 500, Nova 1000, Nova 1500
  • Download connection speeds from 512 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps, depending on selected plan
  • Upload connection speeds from 100 Kbps to 256 Kbps, depending on which plan is selected
  • Coverage Area: 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Installation: Professional installation is required

WildBlue

  • Three tiers from which to choose – Value, Select, Pro
  • Download speeds from 512 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps, depending on selected plan
  • Upload speeds from 128 Kbps to 256 Kbps, depending on which plan is selected
  • Coverage Area: 48 contiguous states, not including Alaska or Hawaii
  • Installation: Professional installation is required