How Satellite Internet Works

Satellite internet transmits data between a dish at your home and satellites orbiting Earth. The signal travels from your dish to the satellite, then to a ground station connected to the internet backbone, and back. This round trip determines the connection's latency (delay) and is the fundamental factor distinguishing satellite providers.

There are two types of satellite internet orbits:

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) - Starlink: Satellites orbit at approximately 340 miles above Earth. The short distance produces latency of 20-40 ms, comparable to cable internet. Thousands of satellites work in constellation to provide continuous coverage as each satellite passes overhead. LEO satellite internet is a genuine revolution for rural broadband.

Geostationary Orbit (GEO) - HughesNet, Viasat: Satellites orbit at approximately 22,236 miles above Earth, maintaining a fixed position relative to the ground. This enormous distance creates latency of 600-700+ ms. While GEO satellites cover large geographic areas with fewer units, the high latency makes real-time applications (video calls, gaming, VoIP) difficult or impossible.

Satellite Internet Providers Compared

Starlink - Best Overall

SpaceX's Starlink service has fundamentally changed the satellite internet landscape. With over 6,000 LEO satellites as of early 2026, Starlink provides broadband-quality internet to virtually any location in the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and most of the inhabited world.

Equipment: $599 one-time for the Standard dish and router. The dish is a phased-array antenna that electronically steers its beam to track satellites as they pass overhead. Setup is self-install: mount the dish with a clear sky view, plug in the router, and connect via the Starlink app.

Pros: Revolutionary low latency for satellite. Speeds adequate for streaming, video calls, and light gaming. Available almost anywhere. Improving as more satellites are launched.

Cons: $120/month is more expensive than terrestrial broadband. Speeds fluctuate and are reduced during peak hours in congested areas. The dish requires a clear view of the sky, which can be challenging in forested or urban environments. Data deprioritization after 1 TB can slow speeds during congestion.

Viasat - Best for High-Speed Bursts

Viasat operates geostationary satellites including the Viasat-3 constellation (first satellite launched 2023). Viasat offers higher theoretical peak speeds than HughesNet but shares the same high-latency limitations of all GEO satellite services.

Equipment: $15/month lease or $300 one-time purchase. Professional installation required ($100-$200). 2-year contract required on most plans.

Pros: Higher peak speeds than HughesNet. No hard data caps (speeds reduced after priority data threshold). Available across the contiguous US.

Cons: 600+ ms latency makes video calls and gaming impractical. Speeds reduced significantly after priority data is consumed. 2-year contract with early termination fee. More expensive than HughesNet.

HughesNet - Most Affordable

HughesNet operates the Jupiter and EchoStar satellite systems. It is the most affordable satellite option and has been a rural broadband staple for over 20 years. However, its 25 Mbps speed cap and high latency are increasingly outdated.

Equipment: $19.99/month lease or $449.99 purchase. Professional installation required ($199-$399 after promotions). 2-year contract required.

Pros: Lowest monthly cost among satellite providers. Bonus Zone (2 AM-8 AM) provides additional unmetered data. Available everywhere in the contiguous US. Fusion plans use cellular for video calls and browsing to mitigate latency.

Cons: 25 Mbps is the maximum speed on all plans. 600+ ms latency. Strict data caps with severe throttling when exceeded. 2-year contract. Aging technology compared to Starlink and Viasat's newer satellites.

Starlink vs HughesNet vs Viasat: The Verdict

Who Should Consider Satellite Internet?

Satellite internet is best suited for:

• Rural and remote homes where cable, fiber, and fixed wireless are unavailable
• Mountain properties (see our Mountain Internet Guide) without line-of-sight to WISP towers
• RV and marine users who need internet while traveling (Starlink Roam)
• Backup connectivity for areas prone to natural disasters (see our Hurricane Internet Preparedness Guide)
• Temporary locations like construction sites, event venues, and seasonal cabins

If you have access to terrestrial broadband (cable, fiber, DSL 25+ Mbps, fixed wireless, or T-Mobile/Verizon home internet), those options will generally provide better performance at lower cost. Always check what other options are available before committing to satellite. Call AT&T at (855) 452-1829, Xfinity at (855) 389-1498, Spectrum at (855) 771-1328, Verizon Fios at (855) 452-1505, or Frontier at (855) 809-2498 to check availability.

Installation and Setup

Starlink Self-Installation

Starlink is designed for self-installation. The kit includes the dish (Dishy), a router, a power cable, and a mounting tripod. Setup takes 15-30 minutes: place the dish in a location with a clear sky view (use the Starlink app's obstruction checker first), connect the cable to the router, plug in the power, and wait 5-10 minutes for the dish to orient itself and connect to the satellite network. Permanent mounting options include roof mounts, pole mounts, and wall mounts (sold separately).

HughesNet and Viasat Professional Installation

Both GEO satellite providers require professional installation. A technician mounts the dish on your roof or a ground-mounted pole, aims it precisely at the geostationary satellite, runs a cable to your indoor modem, and configures the connection. Installation typically takes 2-3 hours. You must be present during installation. Schedule availability varies by location; rural areas may have longer wait times.

Weather and Performance Factors

Rain fade is the most common weather-related satellite internet issue. Heavy rain, snow, and dense cloud cover can weaken the signal between your dish and the satellite. Starlink is less affected by rain fade than GEO satellites due to the shorter signal path, but heavy storms can still cause brief outages. GEO satellite services (HughesNet, Viasat) experience rain fade during moderate-to-heavy precipitation, potentially lasting the duration of the storm.

Snow accumulation on the dish can block the signal. Starlink's dish has a built-in heater that melts light-to-moderate snow (consuming extra electricity). GEO satellite dishes may need manual clearing. Some users install dish heaters as aftermarket accessories.

Peak-hour congestion affects Starlink more than GEO services. As more users join in a geographic area, evening speeds (6-11 PM) can slow significantly. Starlink addresses this by launching more satellites and introducing priority data tiers. Rural areas with fewer users typically experience less congestion than suburban areas.

The Future of Satellite Internet

The satellite internet landscape is evolving rapidly:

• Starlink Gen2 satellites: Larger, more capable satellites being launched aboard SpaceX's Starship will dramatically increase network capacity
• Amazon Project Kuiper: Amazon's planned LEO constellation will compete directly with Starlink, potentially driving prices down
• OneWeb: Now merged with Eutelsat, OneWeb's LEO constellation targets enterprise and maritime markets but may expand to residential service
• Direct-to-cell: Starlink and T-Mobile's partnership will enable satellite connectivity for standard smartphones, eliminating the need for a dedicated dish for basic text and emergency services
• Viasat-3: Viasat's next-generation GEO constellation promises higher capacity per satellite but cannot solve the fundamental latency limitation of geostationary orbit

Related Resources: Mountain Internet Guide | Hurricane Internet Preparedness | Municipal Broadband Guide | Rural Internet Guide | Starlink vs HughesNet