The Best Satellite Internet

If you can’t get cable or DSL internet where you live, you can still get high speed internet with satellite internet. Find out more about the best satellite internet service packages available.

Although satellite internet is available throughout the continental United States and much of Canada, there only a few satellite internet service providers. But rest assured that even if there is not a local provider in your area, you can still access the service online and find the best satellite internet package for you. 

Advantages Of Satellite Internet

If you aren’t familiar with satellite internet, you may wonder what advantages it has over dial-up internet.

First, internet with a satellite service will not be as fast compared to DSL or cable internet, but it will be much faster than a dial-up service. You will be able to download pictures and large files in seconds as compared to minutes or not at all when using dial-up.

Second, your satellite service will be active as soon as your computer is booted up. So you won’t have to waste time logging on and then waiting to be able to get online.

Third, with dial-up you either have to tie up your phone line or have a dedicated phone line. Satellite internet operates independently of a phone line, so you can surf the internet and talk on your phone at the same time.
 
The Main Satellite Internet Service Providers

In the United States, there are four main satellite internet service providers. They are HughesNet, WildBlue, Skyway, and Starband.

Keep reading for an overview of features and services to see which may offer the best satellite internet for you. All four offer promotions and special deals at various times, and often free installation. You can find out more at their websites. Here are the highlights.

1. HughesNet is the largest of the four providers with over 400,000 subscribers and have been in business the longest at more than thirty years. They offer a wide range of subscription plans, from plans designed for home use to plans for larger businesses.

Subscription plans vary according to downloading and uploading capabilities, but they offer speeds of up to 50Mbps. To put that into perspective, 50Mbps is 50 times faster than dial-up. Note though that your speed is dependent on the plan you choose. With HughesNet you can either lease or buy equipment, but it must be installed by professionals in either case. 

2. WildBlue is the next largest service provider and have been in business for over six years.  WildBlue offers speeds that are about 30 times faster than dial-up. WildBlue uses what is called a spot signal beam, so not all areas may be able to access their service.

Check their website for more information about this. WildBlue has a variety of plans for both home and business use. Prices vary depending on the plan you sign up for. Installation must be done by professionals.

3. Skyway is probably the most affordable but at the same time is the most limited. That's because it uses only a one-way transmission instead of the two-way satellite transmission system used by the other providers.

Download speeds range from 30 times faster to just a few times faster than dial-up depending on the plan you choose. Uploading is done via dial-up which is included as part of the package. (That’s why it’s a one-way system). With Skyway, you have the option to install the equipment yourself.

4. Starband has been in business for about ten years. In addition to the US, Starband also provides service to Canada, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and several countries in the Caribbean and Central America. Starband offers two basic plans with the difference mainly in download and upload speed. Professional installation is required.

To find the best satellite internet, you may decide to go through one of these four providers directly or you may opt to go through a locally operated company. Just be aware that the local company will be dealing with these same companies. You may be able to negotiate a better deal if you know what deals are being offered on each satellite internet service provider website first.