Viasat Internet Review

Viasat Internet is a top internet provider in rural areas. What makes it so? Does it mean it's worth it? Read on to find out.

The work-from-home setup has its perks. You get to be productive in the comfort of your own home. It's great—until you're dealt with constant disconnection and buffer time.

You won't have to worry about that with Viasat Internet, though. It's known for its reliability, so you can say goodbye to all that lag.

Keep reading to see the plans, prices, and why (or why not) it's worth trying out.

What is Viasat Internet?

Viasat is a communications company based in California. It provides high-speed satellite internet to most places in America.

It's known for being available in rural areas where other internet providers don't reach.

Why should you trust it?

Over the years, Viasat has received several awards and recognition like the Better Satellite World Award^[1] and Best for Vets award. In 2022, it was also in the Top 100 list of Washington Technology.

Do awards mean Viasat should be enough for you? Keep scrolling.

Who is Viasat Internet Best For?

Viasat is best for those who live in rural America where you can't get an internet provider that offers cable or fiber. Satellite internet is notorious for being easily affected by the weather.

Additionally, since Viasat uses satellite internet, you pay much higher for slower internet speeds. Plus, Viasat Unleashed doesn't offer tiered pricing. Your speed will depend on your location.

But if you're in an area where only satellite internet is available, then Viasat is definitely worth a look. Against other satellite internet providers, Viasat is known for its reliability. Though it is pricier compared to competitors.

Pros and Cons

Here's a quick overview of why Viasat may or may not be for you:

Pros:

• Available in rural areas
  
• Unlimited data

Cons:

• Fastest offered internet speed is 150 Mbps
  
• Prices, speeds, and availability vary by location
  
• Expensive

Plans, Pricing, and Speeds

Viasat used to offer more internet plans but they recently changed that and showcased just one plan: Viasat Unleashed.

This plan costs $99.99 - $119.99, depending on your location.^[3] The internet speed ranges from 25-150 Mbps.

That said, you won't get to choose the speed you want from Viasat since it's dependent on your location. Rural areas usually get slower speeds compared to other areas.

Additionally, your speed might go below the lowest advertised speed (25 Mbps) if you exceed Viasat's "typical usage" (850 GB).

Viasat Discount Programs
If the price in your area is too much, you can try to opt for one (or both) of the discount programs available.

With Viasat CAF II Connection 25, you get 660 GB of high-speed data, at speeds of up to 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.^[4] But this plan is only available in qualified areas. To check if your area is one of them, just enter your address on their website.

To opt for Lifeline, first make sure that you're qualified.

What speed is the best for me?

Since Viasat only offers 1 plan, here's what you can do with the range of speeds they offer:

• 12 Mbps
  Best for everyday activities like online shopping, banking, and emails. Ideally used with 1-2 devices.

• 25 Mbps
  If you plan to use 2-3 devices and you want to do light video streaming or video calls.

• 50 Mbps
  This is best if you have 3-5 devices and you want to stream videos in HD or be on a video call with a lot of people.

• 100 Mbps
  If you have 6 or more devices then you'll need 100 Mbps or more. This can do heavy streaming, video calls/conferences, light gaming, etc.

Other Viasat Features

Apart from the various internet speeds, here are some other features Viasat has to offer:

• Unlimited standard data
  You'll get unlimited data. But note that if your data usage exceeds the "typical usage," you'll probably get slower speeds.

  According to Viasat, "typical usage" usually means not exceeding 850 GB of data in a 30-day period.

• Free professional installation
  For new home internet users, Viasat offers free installations.

• No annual contract requirement
  Viasat's new Unleashed plan features a month-to-month service term with no contract, meaning there are no early termination fees if you decide to cancel at any time.

  If you live in extremely rural areas where Unleashed plans are unavailable, Viasat continues to offer Unlimited plans. However, these plans come with a 24-month term contract and early termination fees. You can avoid these fees by paying a one-time fee of $300, in addition to your monthly fee.

• Viasat EasyCare
  With this add-on, you won't be charged for required service calls (usually $95 each). You also get discounted dish relocation for $95 (usually $200).

  You'll get EasyCare for free for the first 3 months. After that, you'll have to pay $9.99/month.^[5]

• Viasat Shield
  Viasat Shield and Shield Premium are optional internet security services for Viasat Internet customers. Shield offers basic features for free, while Shield Premium comes with a monthly fee of $8.99.^[6]

  Upgrading to Shield Premium, not only provides online risk protection but also offers anti-virus by Bitdefender, browsing protection, and control over connected devices' internet access.

Want to know the total potential cost of Viasat? The fees you may find on your bill are listed below.

Viasat Billing Information

Here are the fees you'll be paying for:

• Internet plan plus add-ons (up to $119.99+)
  Viasat Unleashed, Viasat's only plan, can cost $99.99-$119.99. The EasyCare add-on will cost $9.99/mo after the 3-month trial, while the Shield Premium add-on's price is $8.99/mo.

• Government-mandated/non-government fees
  These are the taxes you have to pay for. Prices depend on the laws of your state.

• Equipment lease fee (starts at $15.00/mo)
  All Viasat users are required to lease equipment from Viasat (or an authorized dealer). This fee includes all the equipment needed to access the Viasat Internet satellite signal.
  Viasat's system doesn't support non-Viasat modems or antennas. Here's what you'll be getting on the day of installation:

  • Router
    
  • Internet modem and a 7-foot Viasat Cable
    
  • Internet antenna dish, transceiver, and bracket assembly
    
  • Up to 150 feet of RG-6 cable from the antenna to the modem
    
  • All necessary mounting and cabling hardware

• One-time installation fee ($0-$500)
  Viasat requires you to have the equipment installed by a professional.

Is Viasat Worth It?

Viasat can be worth it since it's one of the better and more reliable satellite internet providers. But if you live in an area where you can get cable or fiber-optic, then you're better off with internet providers like Verizon.

You'll get faster speeds and better reliability. Plus, you'll get better value for money (in terms of speed to price ratio).

How to Order from Viasat Internet

Here's how to order an internet plan from Viasat:

1. Go to Viasat's homepage
   
2. Click "Check Availability" at the top
   
3. Input your address to see the available plans
   
4. Choose the plan you want
   
5. Input the needed information (name, birthday, mobile number)
   
6. Select any add-ons you want
   
7. Choose a date and time for installation
   
8. Enter your credit card information

How to Cancel a Viasat Internet Subscription

Not interested in keeping your Viasat plan? The Viasat Unleashed plan has no contract, so there are no early termination fees if you decide to cancel at any time. For Viasat Unlimited plan subscribers, there's no penalty to cancel if you paid the $300 fee to avoid the 24-month contract.

Just call the cancellation hotline at 855-463-9333 and say you want to cancel.^[8]

Customer Reviews

Viasat has mixed customer reviews. Common complaints usually revolve around:

• Poor customer service
  
• Long waiting times when calling customer service
  
• Unreliable internet connection for extended periods of time
  
• Not getting the advertised speed

Here's what Tammy had to say:

But still note that Viasat has one of the best reviews from internet users in rural areas. It's praised for its:

• Affordability
  
• Good customer service
  
• Reliability in rural areas

Joel seemed pleased with the service that Viasat provides:

Customer Service

If you encounter any problems or issues with your connection or you just have questions, you can call Viasat at 855-463-9333.

Alternatively, you can check out its FAQ page.

How Viasat Internet Compares

If you're on the fence about what Viasat has to offer, you can always check out other internet providers to compare.

Hughesnet vs. Viasat

Hughesnet can offer you more choices with 3 plans. But compared to Viasat, you'll access slower speeds and less priority data.

That said, what Hughesnet offers can still be enough depending on your daily activities. It's a good affordable alternative to Viasat.

Keep in mind that according to customer reviews, Viasat is much better in terms of reliability. So if a faster and more stable connection is your priority regardless of price, you may be better off with Viasat.

T-Mobile vs. Viasat

T-Mobile can give you more bang for your buck with higher speeds and priority data at a more affordable price.

T-Mobile's starting price is much lower compared to Viasat. Plus, T-Mobile customers rate them pretty high on their reliability (but fairly low on customer service).

Additionally, T-Mobile offers higher priority data compared to Viasat. Although, 850 GB from Viasat is a pretty high number, T-Mobile goes even higher at a whopping 1.2 TB.

Bottom Line

Viasat is a good option if you only need an internet connection for typical daily activities like banking, online calls, light video streaming, and work.

With its price ranging from $99.99 to $119.99/mo, you can get an internet speed of 25 to 150 Mbps.

Additionally, Viasat has got pretty good reviews compared to other rural internet providers. So if you live in far rural areas, it's certainly a strong contender.

References