Viasat Now Offers More Bandwidth to More Customers
ViaSat-3 completion has tripled available bandwidth
Oct 14, 2026 | Share 
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This article is sponsored by Viasat.
Viasat’s third ViaSat-3 satellite launched in April and is now in orbit. Referred to as ViaSat-3 Flight 3, it completes the three-satellite ViaSat-3 constellation, which Viasat began launching in 2023.
However, ViaSat-3 Flight 2 is the satellite that matters most to residential internet customers in the U.S. It’s designed to provide more than 1Tbps of capacity over the Americas. It will support fixed broadband, aviation, government, and maritime customers.
“This cutting-edge satellite will significantly scale our network’s performance and capacity, enabling exciting new connectivity services and supporting our customers’ growing needs across the Americas,” said Mark Dankberg, Chairman and CEO of Viasat.
Here’s what the addition of ViaSat-3 Flight-2 could mean for current and future residential Viasat customers in the U.S.
What is ViaSat-3?
ViaSat-3 is a constellation of three satellites, each designed to provide more than 1Tbps of capacity. The satellites are targeted at different geographic regions. Take a look:
| ViaSat-3 Flight 1 | ViaSat-3 Flight 2 | ViaSat-3 Flight 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | April 2023 | November 2025 | April 2026 |
| Region | Americas | Americas | Asia-Pacific (APAC) |
| Current capacity | Less than 10% of 1Tbps | 1+ Tbps | 1+ Tbps |
| Uses |
What happened to ViaSat-3 Flight-1?
The ViaSat-3 Flight 1 satellite was intended to provide more than 1Tbps of capacity over the Americas, expanding Viasat’s residential broadband, business, aviation, maritime, government, and other connectivity services.
However, an unexpected event occurred during reflector deployment that impacted the performance of the ViaSat-3 Flight 1 satellite. Viasat put the satellite into commercial service in 2024, and it currently serves aviation and government customers across the U.S.
ViaSat-3 Flight 2 gets the broadband spotlight
As previously stated, the ViaSat-3 Flight 2 satellite is the most important component of the ViaSat-3 constellation for Viasat’s fixed-broadband business in the Americas. It’s expected to provide over 1Tbps of capacity as designed, giving Viasat a major new pool of broadband bandwidth to use nationwide.
ViaSat-3 Flight 3 completes the trio
Finally, the ViaSat-3 Flight 3 satellite, launched in April, completes the three-satellite ViaSat-3 lineup. Like the previous two, it’s designed to provide more than 1Tbps of capacity, but it’s the only satellite of the three that serves the Asia-Pacific region.
What ViaSat-3 Flight 2 means to the Americas
According to Viasat, the ViaSat-3 Flight-2 satellite is expected to more than double the overall bandwidth. To put that into perspective, let’s examine Viasat’s published figures (PDF) for several of its earlier satellites used for broadband:
| Satellite | Capacity* |
|---|---|
| Anik F2 | ~2Gbps |
| WildBlue-1 | ~10Gbps |
| ViaSat-1 | ~140Gbps |
| ViaSat-2 | ~260Gbps |
* Approximate capacity figures provided by Viasat. Capacity and actual usable throughput can vary by satellite and service.
Add up the capacities, and around 412Gbps is the total of those four satellites.
Now, let’s compare the previous capacity with the added capacity provided by the ViaSat-3 Flight 2 satellite:
| Before ViaSat-3 F2 | ~412Gbps |
| With ViaSat-3 F2 | ~1,412 Gbps |
That’s a significant uptick in bandwidth, which will be shared across multiple broadband services, not just with residential internet.
How could ViaSat-3 Flight 2 affect Viasat customers?
The additional capacity gives Viasat more room to manage demand across its satellite network. Here’s how it applies to residential customers:
More customers: Viasat can add more residential and business customers in unserved or underserved areas.
Less congestion: The additional capacity gives Viasat more room to manage traffic during peak hours.
Reliable speeds: Viasat can provide a consistent internet experience even during times of peak usage.
Better service in underserved areas: The additional capacity allows Viasat to reach more locations where terrestrial internet isn’t available.
Bottom line: Viasat’s network is now bigger in the Americas
For residential internet customers in the U.S., the ViaSat-3 Flight 2 satellite is the most important component in the ViaSat-3 constellation. With more than 1Tbps of added capacity, it gives Viasat a substantially larger pool of bandwidth to offer service in new and underserved areas. It also helps reduce congestion and offer new plans.
Residential customers in underserved and rural areas who previously couldn’t get access to Viasat’s satellite internet may see service offered in their area soon.
In the meantime, here are the three plans Viasat now offers to U.S.-based customers:
Viasat internet plans
| Plan | Price* | Data† |
|---|---|---|
| Viasat Essentials | $39.99/mo | |
| Viasat Unleashed | $69.99/mo | |
| Viasat Unleashed Max | $109.99/mo |
FAQ about the ViaSat-3 constellation
When did the FCC approve the use of ViaSat-3 Flight 2?
Why did the FCC need to approve the use of ViaSat-3 Flight 2 in the U.S.?
Who designed and built the ViaSat-3 satellites?
What is a beam?
What is Ka Band?
What is a ground gateway?
Plans disclaimers
* Viasat Essentials plan starting at $39.99/mo. with 12-month promotion, $69.99/mo. thereafter. Viasat Unleashed plan starting at $69.99/mo. with 12-month promotion, $99.99/mo. thereafter. Viasat Unleashed Max plan starting at $109.99/mo. with 12-month promotion, $179.99/mo. thereafter.
† The Viasat Essentials service plan comes with 150 GB of High-Speed Data and Unlimited Standard Data. After you use 150 GB of High-Speed Data, you will continue to receive unlimited data (referred to as “Standard Data”); however, Viasat may prioritize Standard Data behind other customers during network congestion, which will result in slower speeds. The Viasat Essentials plan requires a 24 mo. minimum service term. The Viasat Unleashed and Viasat Unleashed Max service plans each come with unlimited data. If at any time your data usage is trending to exceed the “typical usage” of Viasat Unleashed or Viasat Unleashed Max customers on our network, as applicable to your plan, you may have reduced priority during times of network congestion resulting in slower speeds. Typical usage represents the data usage of 70% of Viasat Unleashed and Viasat Unleashed Max customers on our network. Please visit www.viasat.com/legal to review Viasat’s Unlimited Data Policy for more details. Minimum service term does not apply to Viasat Unleashed plans.
Limited-time promotional offer is available only to new residential internet customers who purchase an eligible service plan. The discount is applicable during your first 12 months of service and applies only to the standard monthly internet service fee, and excludes the monthly equipment lease fee, monthly fee for add-on services and all taxes and surcharges. After your twelfth month, regular rates apply. To receive the discount, you must remain an active subscriber on an eligible plan and maintain your account in good standing. Offer is not available with any other promotions.
One-time standard installation fee may be charged at the time of sale. Equipment lease fee is $15.00/mo. Taxes and surcharges may apply. Speeds are “up to,” will vary and are not guaranteed. Service is not available in all areas. Offer may be changed or withdrawn at any time.
Author - Kevin Parrish
Kevin Parrish has more than a decade of experience working as a writer, editor, and product tester. He began writing about computer hardware and soon branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom’s Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on network equipment testing and review.
Editor - Jessica Brooksby
Jessica loves bringing her passion for the written word and her love of tech into one space at HighSpeedInternet.com. She works with the team’s writers to revise strong, user-focused content so every reader can find the tech that works for them. Jessica has a bachelor’s degree in English from Utah Valley University and seven years of creative and editorial experience. Outside of work, she spends her time gaming, reading, painting, and buying an excessive amount of Legend of Zelda merchandise.
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