2016 Satellite Internet Providers Review
2016 has been a busy year for satellite internet providers. Many companies have renewed plans offered for consumers.
This review covers top 4 providers offering best deals on the market today.
Hover the bars on the chart below for more information.
Starting 2016, Exede launched new option with download speeds up to 25 Mb per second. This is a real achievement, 10Mbps ahead of closest competitors. This option is called 'Boost 25' and it can be added to any plan for extra $10 per month. Currently available to state of Florida and West Coast, soon to be available nationwide.
High download speed is important but even more important is Data Allowance each company and plan is offering. Each company has a policy to limit or slow down your internet connection once you exceed your data. HughesNet and dishNet will shut down your service under basic plans until next billing cycle comes and data counter resets. More expensive plans of HughesNet and dishNet, and any plan from Exede and Wildblue will slow you down but your service will continue to work.
Among the rest Exede and HughesNet are competing the most. Hughes offers 50 Gb of data at night time hours (2am - 8am). This is great for downloading a movie or large file. Exede, on the other hand give much more data upfront and gives you 'Liberty Pass' to stay online after all monthly data is used at good download speeds 1-5 Mbps.
| Provider | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price regular |
$5999–$14999 | $5999–$14999 | $4999–$8999 | $4999–$7999 |
| Download Speed | 12–25 Mbps | 12 Mbps | 5–15 Mbps | 5–10 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 3 Mbps | 3 Mbps | 1–2 Mbps | 1 Mbps |
| Anytime Data | 10–150 GB | 10–30 GB | 5–50 GB | 10–60 GB |
| Bonus Data | Unlimited/Slower speeds | Unlimited/Slower speeds | 50 GB (2am - 8am) |
none for basic plan, Unlimited/Slower speeds |
| Read full review | Read full review |
EXEDE
Monthly Price $5999–$14999 |
|---|
Download Speed upto 12–25 Mbps |
Upload Speed upto 3 Mbps |
Anytime Data 10–150 GB |
Bonus Data Unlimited/Slower speeds |
WILDBLUE
Monthly Price $5999–$14999 |
|---|
Download Speed upto 12 Mbps |
Upload Speed upto 3 Mbps |
Anytime Data 10–30 GB |
Bonus Data Unlimited/Slower speeds |
HughesNet
Monthly Price $4999–$8999 |
|---|
Download Speed 5 - 12 Mbps |
Upload Speed 1 - 2 Mbps |
Anytime Data 5–50 GB |
Bonus Data 50 GB(2am - 8am) |
dishNET
Monthly Price $4999–$7999 |
|---|
Download Speed 5 - 10 Mbps |
Upload Speed 1 Mbps |
Anytime Data 10–60 GB |
Bonus Data none for basic plan,Unlimited/Slower speeds |
Best Satellite Internet Providers
- Pricing:$49.99–$149.99
- Anytime Data:10–150 GB
- Bonus Data:Unlimited @
1-5 Mbps speeds - Max Download:12–25 Mbps
- Max Upload:3 Mbps
- Equipment Fee:$9.99 Mo
$199.99 prepaid for 24mo
$299.99 prepaid lifetime - Contract:24 Mo
Exede Satellite Internet Service
Exede is the industry leading satellite internet provider. It offers fastest downloading and uploading speeds.
All plans include Liberty Pass.
Liberty Pass will let you keep using the service at slower speeds once anytime data is all used for the current month. This is a much more user friendly option compared to HughesNet night time 'Free Zone'. If you are a fan of streaming or downloading movies or videos, you anytime data will be gone fast.
Exede introduced Freedom 150 plan with whooping 150 GB anytime data each month. That is 3 GB of data per day, good for downloading 2 full lenght movies.
For just extra $10 a month Boost 25 option may be added to any existing or new plan. This option will boost your max download speed to respectful 25 Mbps. Boost 25 currently available to subscribers located in West Coast and state of Florida.
Exede Plans
| Plan/Details | Liberty 12 | Liberty 18 | Liberty 30 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertised Price | $49.99/Mo | $69.99/Mo | $99.99/Mo |
| Regular Price | $69.99/Mo | $99.99/Mo | $149.99/Mo |
| Max Download Speed | 12–25 Mbps | 12–25 Mbps | 12-25 Mbps |
| Max Upload Speed | 3 Mbps | 3 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
| Anytime Data Allowance | 12 GB | 18 GB | 30 GB |
| Bonus Data Allowance | Unlimited 1-5 Mbps download speed |
Unlimited 1-5 Mbps download speed |
Unlimited 1-5 Mbps download speed |
| Options | Description | ||
| Free Installation | Available only to new Exede12 customers in limited areas. * No charge for pole mounts on service ordered directly from ViaSat through 844-605-2422 toll-free number or online order form at exede.com |
||
| Boost 25 | Boost your max download speed to 25 Mbps | ||
| Freedom Plan | Get 150 GB anytime data every month. | ||
| EasyCare | All required service calls at no extra charge. Normally $95 per service call. Only $5.99/mo. No charge first 90 days! | ||
| Liberty 12 | |
|---|---|
| Advertised Price | $49.99/Mo |
| Regular Price | $69.99/Mo |
| Max Down Speed | 12–25 Mbps |
| Max Upload Speed | 3 Mbps |
| Anytime Data | 12 GB |
| Bonus Data | Unlimited 1-5 Mbps download speed |
| Liberty 18 | |
|---|---|
| Advertised Price | $69.99/Mo |
| Regular Price | $99.99/Mo |
| Max Down Speed | 12–25 Mbps |
| Max Upload Speed | 3 Mbps |
| Anytime Data | 18 GB |
| Bonus Data | Unlimited 1-5 Mbps download speed |
| Liberty 30 | |
|---|---|
| Advertised Price | $99.99/Mo |
| Regular Price | $149.99/Mo |
| Max Down Speed | 12–25 Mbps |
| Max Upload Speed | 3 Mbps |
| Anytime Data | 30 GB |
| Bonus Data | Unlimited 1-5 Mbps download speed |
| Exede Options | |
|---|---|
| Free Installation | |
| Boost 25 | |
| Freedom Plan | |
| EasyCare | |
- Pricing:$49.99–$89.99
- Anytime Data:5–50 GB
- Bonus Data:50 GB
(2am - 8am) - Max Download:5–15 Mbps
- Max Upload:1-2 Mbps
- Equipment Fee:$9.99 Mo
$399.98 prepaid lifetime - Contract:24 Mo
HughesNet Satellite Internet Service
HughesNet Gen4 is latest fourth-generation high-speed satellite Internet service, designed to give you more of what you need, including dramatically improved performance and support for high-bandwidth applications like social networking, watching videos and listening to music.
All plans include 50 GB of night time bonus data available between 2 - 8 AM.
All plans except 'Choice' come with SmartBrowsing option enabled. This feature will let you keep using the service at slower speeds once anytime data is all used up.
You may also qualify for Free standard installation in select locations. Limited-time offer valid to new Lease subscribers only. Not valid with Purchase option.
HughesNet Gen4 Plans
| Plan/Details | Choice | Prime Plus | Pro Plus | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advertised Price | $39.99/Mo | $39.99/Mo | $69.99/Mo | $79.99/Mo |
| Regular Price | $49.99/Mo | $59.99/Mo | $79.99/Mo | $89.99/Mo |
| Max Download Speed | 5 Mbps | 10 Mbps | 10 Mbps | 15 Mbps |
| Max Upload Speed | 1 Mbps | 1 Mbps | 2 Mbps | 2 Mbps |
| Anytime Data Allowance | 5 GB | 10 GB | 15 GB | 50 GB |
| Bonus Data Allowance | 50 GB (2am - 8am) |
50 GB (2am - 8am) |
50 GB (2am - 8am) |
50 GB (2am - 8am) |
| Options | Description | |||
| Free Installation | Free standard installation applies to new Lease subscribers only. Not valid with Purchase option. Limited-time offer. | |||
| SmartBrowsing | All plans except 'Choice' come with SmartBrowsing, allowing you to continue using service even after Anytime data allowance is exceeded. | |||
| Choice | |
|---|---|
| Advertised Price | $39.99/Mo |
| Regular Price | $49.99/Mo |
| Max Down Speed | 5 Mbps |
| Max Upload Speed | 1 Mbps |
| Anytime Data | 5 GB |
| Bonus Data | 50 GB (2am - 8am) |
| Prime Plus | |
|---|---|
| Advertised Price | $39.99/Mo |
| Regular Price | $59.99/Mo |
| Max Down Speed | 10 Mbps |
| Max Upload Speed | 1 Mbps |
| Anytime Data | 10 GB |
| Bonus Data | 50 GB (2am - 8am) |
| Pro Plus | |
|---|---|
| Advertised Price | $69.99/Mo |
| Regular Price | $79.99/Mo |
| Max Down Speed | 10 Mbps |
| Max Upload Speed | 2 Mbps |
| Anytime Data | 15 GB |
| Bonus Data | 50 GB (2am - 8am) |
| Ultra | |
|---|---|
| Advertised Price | $79.99/Mo |
| Regular Price | $89.99/Mo |
| Max Down Speed | 15 Mbps |
| Max Upload Speed | 2 Mbps |
| Anytime Data | 50 GB |
| Bonus Data | 50 GB (2am - 8am) |
| HughesNet Options | |
|---|---|
| Free Installation | |
| SmartBrowsing | |
- Pricing:$49.99–$79.99
- Anytime Data:5–15 GB
- Bonus Data:5-50 GB
(2am - 8am) - Max Download:10 Mbps
- Max Upload:2 Mbps
- Equipment Fee:$10 Mo
no purchase available - Contract:24 Mo
dishNET Satellite Internet Service
dishNET gets its satellite Internet service from HughesNet, so the experience you get from dishNET is very identical to that of HughesNet.
Upload and download speeds are similar to HughesNet, and data allowance is almost the same.
dishNET, however offers less than HughesNet for the same amount. It may be a good choice if you are an existing customer or looking for a good discount with TV bundle and want to waive $99 service activation fee.
dishNET Plans
| Plan/Details | 5 GB Internet | 10 GB Internet | 15 GB Internet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertised Price | $39.99/Mo | $49.99/Mo | $69.99/Mo |
| Regular Price | $49.99/Mo | $59.99/Mo | $79.99/Mo |
| Max Download Speed | 5 Mbps | 10 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| Max Upload Speed | 1 Mbps | 1 Mbps | 2 Mbps |
| Anytime Data Allowance | 5 GB | 10 GB | 15 GB |
| Bonus Data Allowance | 5 GB (2am - 8am) |
10 GB (2am - 8am) |
50 GB (2am - 8am) |
| 5 GB Internet | |
|---|---|
| Advertised Price | $39.99/Mo |
| Regular Price | $49.99/Mo |
| Max Down Speed | 5 Mbps |
| Max Upload Speed | 1 Mbps |
| Anytime Data | 5 GB |
| Bonus Data | 5 GB (2am - 8am) |
| 10 GB Internet | |
|---|---|
| Advertised Price | $49.99/Mo |
| Regular Price | $59.99/Mo |
| Max Down Speed | 10 Mbps |
| Max Upload Speed | 1 Mbps |
| Anytime Data | 10 GB |
| Bonus Data | 10 GB (2am - 8am) |
| 15 GB Internet | |
|---|---|
| Advertised Price | $69.99/Mo |
| Regular Price | $79.99/Mo |
| Max Down Speed | 10 Mbps |
| Max Upload Speed | 2 Mbps |
| Anytime Data | 15 GB |
| Bonus Data | 50 GB (2am - 8am) |
Choosing Satellite Internet Provider
Data
Data allowance is the most important examination you need to be aware of. What use will your service make if you can't use it or it runs at dialup speeds? Do the math and evaluate your monthly internet usage and choose plan wisely. Full length movie downloads (e.g. NetFlix), video steaming, torrents and other P2P sharing programs, web cams, backup services will eat up data fast. How much do you need is up to you. Anytime data currently available range from 5 Gb to 150 Gb. If you used to 'city' internet connection with DSL or cable provider, even 150 Gb per month does not sound like much (5 Gb per day). Good thing is if Bonus data is available. That is when all Anytime data is used, you're still online but at slower speeds. As a last resort, we may purchase more anytime data if really needed.
Speed
All current plans offer good speeds, starting at 5 Mbps for download and 1 Mbps for upload. Picking a faster plan may not make your experience noticeably much better but may add other important values, like data allowance. Every provider has an acceleration technology on the ground gateways to help you eliminate latency effect and make pages load faster. If you like to enjoy fast paced online games where response time is critical, satellite internet connection is definitely not best for it.
Price
The price range for satellite internet has come down very close to affordable level and comparative to DSL and cable. Many providers offer promotional prices and combined with other services offered (phone, satellite TV), you may save significantly over the contract term.