Connecting to the internet no longer requires being tethered to terrestrial cables. Satellite internet provides users with fast and reliable connectivity, from virtually any location with a clear view of the southern sky. This space-age innovation beams signals to a satellite dish installed at your home or business from orbiting satellites, facilitating an internet connection without the need for underground fiber or cable infrastructure.

Satellite internet offers key benefits that make it the ideal choice for certain users, especially those in rural areas or with mobile lifestyles. However, some tradeoffs exist regarding speed, data allowances, and pricing. This guide covers everything you need to know about satellite internet to determine if it’s the right fit for your connectivity needs.

Who is Satellite Internet Ideal For?

Satellite internet shines brightest for users in two main categories:

• Rural residents where cable internet is unavailable
• RVers, boaters, and other travelers

In remote areas where running physical cables is unfeasible, satellite technology triumphantly delivers broadband to homes and businesses. It connects users in far-flung locations that were previously stuck with sluggish dial-up connections or no internet at all.

Similarly, satellite dishes can be installed on RVs, allowing constant connectivity while on the move across the country. Mariners also leverage satellite to access critical weather reports and navigation data offshore where cellular signals don’t reach.

“We installed a satellite dish on our boat for internet access during extended cruises. Even 100 miles offshore, I can video chat family and download weather radar in an instant.” – Michelle, Sailor

Emerging satellite providers like Starlink promise increased competition, faster speeds, and fewer data restrictions in the years ahead.

What Are the Key Pros and Cons?

While satellite internet grants users greater freedom to roam off the grid, some tradeoffs exist:

Pros

• Available across wide geographic regions with clear sky access
• Enables RVers and digital nomads to stay connected while frequently changing locations
• Higher speeds than old satellite technology – now up to 100 Mbps down

Cons

• Higher latency than cable/fiber due to the physical distance data must travel to and from orbiting satellites. This can negatively impact gaming and video conferencing where instant response times are critical.
• Strict data caps on most plans
• Usage is throttled to extremely slow speeds once you exceed your monthly data allowance

Carefully weigh both the benefits and downsides to decide if satellite connectivity aligns with your usage needs. Those who mainly browse, email, or stream video will likely be satisfied, while heavy gamers and downloaders should proceed with caution.

Compare Providers: HughesNet vs Viasat

The two largest satellite internet providers in most markets are HughesNet and Viasat.

HughesNet stands out for its affordability and video data saver feature for watching streaming content without using as much of your limited data. However, all plans still offer maximum download speeds of just 25 Mbps.

Viasat distinguishes itself by providing faster speeds, with premium plans boasting up to 100 Mbps down. But prepare to pay more money for the boosted performance and tighter restrictions on streaming quality.

Both HughesNet and Viasat require long 24-month contracts and charge early termination fees if canceling service before your contract expires. So carefully review all plan details before signing up.

Key Takeaways: Is Satellite Right for You?

• Ideal for rural residents without access to cable/fiber or those needing connectivity across wide areas
• Provides suitable speeds for browsing, email, video calls, streaming in SD/HD
• Higher latency makes it less optimal for heavy real-time gaming/downloads
• Strict data allowances require close monitoring of usage

In the right scenarios, satellite internet can provide online freedom beyond the reach of physical cables. As technology develops with providers like Starlink, users can expect expanded capacity and fewer limitations when accessing the internet from almost anywhere under the open sky.