Viasat and HughesNet are two of the top satellite internet providers in the country. Both offer affordable plans with speeds that can rival most other types of internet service. So, what makes these two different?
There are a lot of similarities between Viasat and HughesNet, but the two services have some key differences you should know about before making a decision. If you’re trying to decide whether Viasat or HughesNet is right for you, this article will give you an overview of each service and help you make an informed decision. Keep reading to learn more.
Viasat Satellite Internet
Viasat is a satellite internet service provider that uses a network of geosynchronous satellites to provide internet to people all over the world. Satellite internet works by beaming a signal from a satellite to a dish in the customer’s home. The dish then gathers the signal and passes it on to the modem, which in turn transfers the internet connection to the computers or devices connected to it.
Viasat’s internet plans come with a few important things you need to be aware of before making a decision about which provider you want to go with. First, Viasat satellite internet works best in wide open spaces that have a clear view of the southern sky. This means that it isn’t a good fit for anyone living in a place where they have a limited view of the southern sky. Second, Viasat satellite internet is an internet-only service. This means that you can’t use it to make phone calls or send texts, but you will have all the internet you need.
HughesNet Internet
HughesNet is the other major satellite internet provider that you can choose for your internet service. Like Viasat, HughesNet uses a network of geosynchronous satellites to provide internet across the world. The major difference between the two is that HughesNet uses a network of low-earth orbit satellites, which are much closer to the earth than Viasat’s geosynchronous satellites.
This allows HughesNet to provide internet to customers in places that Viasat can’t reach, like customers who live in heavily wooded areas or in places with mountains close to the house. This makes HughesNet a better option than Viasat for people who live in an area with a limited southern view of the sky or a very dense tree cover.
The downside of HughesNet is that it isn’t quite as fast as Viasat. However, you can find HughesNet plans with speeds that are close enough to Viasat’s fastest plan. So, you don’t need to worry about losing out on internet speed if you go with HughesNet instead of Viasat.
Which One is Better?
When you look at Viasat and HughesNet, you might think that Viasat is the better option. After all, Viasat has a wider coverage area and faster speeds. However, not all situations are the same.
In some places, HughesNet is the better option. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of Viasat and HughesNet so you can decide which one is right for you.
Advantages of Viasat
Viasat has a wider coverage area than HughesNet.This means that Viasat can reach a larger number of people than HughesNet. While it’s true that HughesNet has a larger coverage area than Viasat in general, Viasat reaches a wider number of people in specific areas. So, Viasat might be a better option for people who live in areas that HughesNet can’t reach.
Viasat offers faster speeds than HughesNet. While this doesn’t matter for everyone, it does make a difference for some people. If you need very high speeds for a specific reason, like for online gaming, Viasat might be the better option.
Disadvantages of Viasat
Viasat can be difficult to set up. Viasat satellite internet requires a set-up process that isn’t as straightforward as other internet types. If you don’t like dealing with a complex installation process, Viasat might not be the best option for you. Viasat is more expensive than HughesNet. Viasat internet deals are generally more expensive than HughesNet plans. If you can get a HughesNet plan with speeds that are fast enough for your needs, it might be a better option because of the lower monthly cost.
Viasat satellite internet requires a clear southern view of the sky. If you can’t see the southern sky from your house, you’ll need to find another type of internet. This makes Viasat less practical than HughesNet in some areas.
Disadvantages of HughesNet
HughesNet doesn’t work well in heavily wooded areas. If you live in an area that’s heavily covered in trees, you might not be able to get HughesNet. HughesNet can slow down during peak hours. This can cause slow internet for people who use the service during these hours. HughesNet doesn’t offer the fastest internet speeds. It’s not as fast as Viasat, but it is fast enough for most people.
How to Choose Between Viasat and HughesNet?
Take the advantages and disadvantages of Viasat and HughesNet into consideration and choose the provider that best fits your needs. If you want to go with Viasat, make sure you look for plans that are offered in your area. If you want to go with HughesNet, see which plans they offer in your area. You can also ask friends or family members who live in your area which internet providers they use.
Once you know which providers offer services in your area, you can compare plans to see which one is right for you. The best way to find the right internet plan for you is to think about your internet usage. To do this, you’ll need to figure out how much data you use each month. Once you know how much data you use, you can pick the plan that best fits your needs. Viasat satellite internet plans offer 4 data plans and 5 data plans with speeds of up to 25 Mbps, 50 Mbps, and 100 Mbps. HughesNet plans offer up to 15 Mbps.
Once you know which type of plan you want and how much data you use, you can pick the best provider for you. Key takeaway Viasat and HughesNet are two of the top satellite internet providers in the country. Both offer affordable plans with speeds that can rival most other types of internet service.
The major difference between the two is that Viasat uses a network of geosynchronous satellites while HughesNet uses a network of low-earth orbit satellites. This makes Viasat a better option for people who live in areas that HughesNet can’t reach. If you want fast internet but don’t want to deal with a difficult installation process, Viasat is an excellent choice. If you want satellite internet but live in an area that’s heavily wooded, HughesNet is a great option.
