Satellite internet is much faster and more reliable than DSL or dial-up connections. As a result, you will find many Viasat satellite internet subscribers content with the faster speeds their provider offers, even in rural regions in America. And all this the company achieves by linking users to several Viasat satellites high up in space.
Table of Contents
- Viasat Satellite History
- Viasat Satellites Position
- Viasat Satellites: What Satellites Does Viasat Use
- Viasat Plans and Prices
- Viasat Equipment
- Viasat Customer Support
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Viasat Satellite History
Steve Hart (CTO), Mark Miller (CTO), and Mark Dankberg (CEO) established Viasat in May 1986. Interestingly, the company received venture capital financing totaling $300,000 from Southern California Ventures, and it was from this point that it began its satellite operations. Since then, Viasat has evolved into the major satellite internet brand that it is today.
Viasat Satellites Position
(Caption: Image of satellite in space)
Like many other satellite internet providers, most of Viasat’s satellites are currently in geostationary orbit, around 22,000 miles above the equator. And these relay signals from ground stations located all across North America connected to the internet, offering high-speed internet services by using a technology called spot beam.
(Caption: Image of a ground communications station)
Viasat Satellites: What Satellites Does Viasat Use
Interestingly, Viasat has a fleet of satellites designed to grow with additional broadband demand. They include:
- ViaSat-1: Believe it or not, when this satellite was launched in October 2011, it had the highest capacity globally, even making it to the Guinness World Records.
- WildBlue1
- Anik-F2
- ViaSat-2: This satellite launched in June 2017 has a remarkable capacity (300 GB/s network throughput), even higher than HughesNet’s EchoStar X1X.
Viasat Plans and Prices
Plan | Starting price | Package Deal |
Viasat Internet and Viasat Voice | This package is $69.98 per month for the first three months. | Offers unlimited standard data Comes with a two-year price-locked guarantee Offers unlimited local and long-distance calls Provides users with multiple calling features, some of which include call waiting, voicemail, and caller ID Users have the choice to transfer their current phone number |
| Viasat Internet and DISH | This package is $109.98 per month for the first three months. | Provides unlimited standard data Comes with a two-year price-locked guarantee Provides users with access to more than 290 channels Has over 36,000 free on-demand titles Comes with a smart DVR that has up to 2,000 hours of storage Users get free satellite TV installation |
| Viasat Internet, DISH, and Viasat Voice | This package is $139.97 per month for the first three months. | Comes with unlimited standard data Has a two-year price-locked guarantee Offers users unlimited local and long-distance calls Users get multiple calling features, some of which include call waiting, caller ID, and voicemail. Users can access more than 290 channels Offers more than 36,000 free on-demand titles Comes with a smart DVR and close to 2,000 hours of storage Users get free satellite TV installation |
Viasat Equipment
Plan | Max Speed | Equipment Costs |
| Unlimited Bronze 12 | 12Mbps download/3Mbps upload | $13 a month/ $299 one-time purchase |
| Unlimited Silver 25 | 25Mbps download/3Mbps upload | $13 a month/ $299 one-time purchase |
| Unlimited Gold 50 | 50Mbps download/3Mbps upload | $13 a month/ $299 one-time purchase |
| Unlimited Platinum 100 | 100Mbps download/3Mbps upload | $13 a month/ $299 one-time purchase |
| Unlimited Diamond 100 | 100Mbps download/3Mbps upload | $13 a month/ $299 one-time purchase |
While you can opt to buy your own mount or other accessories, like most other providers, Viasat only offers installation services when you use their equipment.
Viasat Customer Support
Viasat has a customer support service team available 24/7. Therefore, you can reach out to them if you have connection problems, require assistance from their tech team, or have a billing query. Also, you can receive assistance regarding canceling or moving your service package.
FAQs
Why Is Viasat Internet Slow?
While Viasat is not necessarily slow, a common reason some subscribers may experience slow speeds is when they exceed their monthly data allowance. When that happens, even though the company will not block your internet access, speeds will be significantly slower or become restricted.
Is Viasat Good For Streaming?
Yes, it is. Viasat comes highly recommended for streaming as it offers users relatively faster speeds of around 100Mbps. Also, it offers relatively higher data caps of up to 150GB each month under the unlimited plan.
Has Viasat-3 Launched?
No, Viasat-3 is not yet launched. However, the satellite is set to launch soon in 2023 under the umbrella of Viasat Inc.
How Many Satellites Does Viasat Have?
As mentioned, Viasat currently operates four satellites, namely ViaSat-1, WildBlue1, Anik-F2, and ViaSat-2.
Conclusion
Now you understand more about Viasat satellite internet, including what satellites it uses and where they’re positioned. Also, Viasat’s various data plans and their prices, equipment, and how you can contact the support team.
