Satellite internet trades speed for reach, and the trade-off depends on what you actually do online

Satellite internet beams data from orbiting satellites instead of running cables to your house. It works almost anywhere — rural areas, mountains, boats — because it needs only a clear view of the sky. But it is slower than cable or fiber, has higher latency (the delay between sending and receiving), and costs more per month. Whether it is worth it depends on whether you have other options and what you use the internet for.

The two major providers in the United States are Starlink and Viasat. Starlink uses newer, lower-orbit satellites and offers speeds of 50 to 150 Mbps with latency around 20 to 40 milliseconds. Viasat offers 12 to 100 Mbps depending on location, with latency around 150 to 600 milliseconds. Both charge equipment fees upfront and monthly service fees. Neither is free, and neither is subsidized by government programs the way some broadband is.

Key Takeaways

  • Satellite internet reaches places cable and fiber do not, but it is slower and has higher latency, making it unsuitable for online gaming, video calls, or real-time work.
  • Starlink is faster and has lower latency than Viasat, but both require clear sky view and perform worse in heavy rain or snow.
  • Monthly costs run $50 to $150 depending on the provider and speed tier, plus equipment fees of $400 to $600 upfront.
  • Satellite internet has data caps on some plans, meaning heavy streaming or downloading can trigger overage charges or speed throttling.
  • Before signing up, check whether cable, fiber, fixed wireless, or mobile hotspot are available in your area — they are usually faster and cheaper.

Speed, latency, and what they mean for your daily use

Speed and latency are not the same thing, and both matter. Speed is how fast data moves — measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Latency is the delay between sending a request and getting a response, measured in milliseconds. Satellite internet has decent speed but poor latency because the signal has to travel 22,000 miles to a satellite and back.

For browsing, email, and streaming video, speed matters more than latency. Starlink's 50 to 150 Mbps is enough for Netflix or YouTube. For video calls, online gaming, or remote work that requires real-time interaction, latency matters more. Starlink's 20 to 40 milliseconds is usable for video calls. Viasat's 150 to 600 milliseconds causes noticeable lag — you will see a delay between speaking and the other person hearing you, and online games will feel sluggish.

Weather also affects both. Heavy rain or wet snow can block the signal temporarily, dropping speeds by 20 to 50 percent or cutting the connection entirely. This is not a problem if you have a backup connection, but if satellite is your only option, you should know that storms will interrupt service.

Cost: equipment, monthly service, and data caps

Starlink charges $599 upfront for the dish and router, then $120 per month for standard service (50 to 150 Mbps) or $150 per month for priority service (higher speeds and priority during congestion). There is no contract, so you can cancel anytime. Viasat charges $400 to $600 for equipment depending on the plan, then $50 to $150 per month depending on speed tier and location.

Data caps vary. Starlink's standard plan has no hard cap but may slow you down if you use more than 1 TB per month during peak hours. Viasat's plans include 12 GB to 300 GB per month depending on tier. Going over the cap triggers overage charges or automatic throttling. If you stream video regularly or read large files, check the cap before you commit.

Installation is usually self-service for Starlink — you mount the dish yourself and plug it in. Viasat often requires a technician visit, which may cost extra. Ask about this when you check pricing for your address.

When satellite internet is the right choice

Satellite makes sense if you live in a rural area with no cable, fiber, or fixed wireless service. It also works for seasonal use — a cabin, RV, or boat where you do not need high speed or low latency. Some people use it as a backup connection when their primary internet goes down.

If your main use is browsing, email, streaming video, or casual social media, Starlink's speed and latency are adequate. If you work from home but do not rely on video calls or real-time collaboration, it can work. If you have a family that streams video on multiple devices at once, check the data cap — you may hit it quickly.

When satellite internet is not the right choice

Do not choose satellite if cable, fiber, or fixed wireless is available in your area. All three are faster, have lower latency, and usually cost less. Fixed wireless (from companies like T-Mobile Home Internet or Verizon 5G Home) is worth checking first — it uses cell towers instead of cables and reaches many rural areas that cable does not.

Avoid satellite if you play online games competitively, do video conferencing for work, or use real-time collaboration tools like Zoom or Google Meet regularly. The latency will frustrate you. If you read large files often — software updates, video editing, large datasets — a data cap will cost you money. If you live somewhere with frequent heavy rain or snow, the weather interruptions will be annoying.

How to check what is available at your address

Before you sign up for satellite, check what else is available. The FCC's broadband map at broadbandmap.fcc.gov lets you enter your address and see which providers serve it. You can also call your local electric cooperative or ask neighbors what they use.

Fixed wireless is worth checking separately because it does not always show up on the FCC map. Call T-Mobile, Verizon, and any local wireless providers to ask if they offer home internet at your address. If you have cell signal, you might have fixed wireless service.

If nothing else is available, Starlink is usually faster and cheaper than Viasat. If both are available, compare the monthly cost, data cap, and latency for your use case. Starlink's lower latency matters if you do video calls; Viasat's lower upfront cost matters if you are trying it for a few months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use satellite internet for Zoom calls or video conferencing?

Starlink works for video calls — the latency is low enough that you will not notice much delay. Viasat's higher latency (150 to 600 milliseconds) causes noticeable lag and is frustrating for real-time conversation. If video calls are important to your work, choose Starlink or use a different internet type if available.

What happens to satellite internet during a storm?

Heavy rain or wet snow can block the signal temporarily, dropping speeds or cutting the connection entirely. Light rain usually does not cause problems. If you need internet during storms for work or emergencies, satellite should not be your only option.

Is satellite internet cheaper than cable or fiber?

Usually not. Starlink costs $120 to $150 per month plus $599 upfront. Cable and fiber typically cost $50 to $100 per month with lower or no equipment fees. Satellite is more expensive, but it is the only option in many rural areas.

Can I use satellite internet on a boat or RV?

Yes. Starlink offers a mobile plan for $150 per month that works anywhere with sky view. You will need a clear view of the southern sky (in the Northern Hemisphere) for the dish to maintain signal while moving. It works better on a boat than in a moving vehicle.

What is the difference between Starlink and Viasat?

Starlink is newer, faster (50 to 150 Mbps), and has lower latency (20 to 40 milliseconds). Viasat is slower (12 to 100 Mbps) and has higher latency (150 to 600 milliseconds), but may be cheaper upfront in some areas. Starlink is better for video calls and real-time work; Viasat is better if you only browse and stream.