How Much Does Satellite Internet Cost?

When you’re researching different providers, plans, and options for internet service at your home, price is often a big factor that impacts your final decision. Though there are many options today ranging from dial-up to fiber, each of which has different plans, data limits, conditions, etc., the cost can vary greatly and leave you wondering whether or not the plan you’ve been eyeing may be worth it if it’s even available.

Satellite internet can be one of the pricier internet options, but it is often used by people who live in rural areas and therefore have limited choices regarding the type of internet they can access from their homes. There are other reasons why it generally costs more than fiber or cable internet: satellite internet is more widely available, equipment costs internet providers more money and unlike cable that have varying costs depending on your location, plan prices are much more consistent from place to place with satellite.

Average Speed of Satellite Internet

Getting down to the nitty-gritty regarding the costs of satellite internet services means that we need to consider certain factors that play a big role in setting the price, one of which being the speed at which it runs. With the consideration that the FCC’s minimum requirement for broadband internet starts at 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, satellite internet in comparison to dial-up, DSL and some cable internet plans is great.

Satellite internet service is usually not recommended to people who stream a lot of movies and TV shows, do some very heavy real-time gaming, or plan to have many people using the internet at once to perform tasks. Rather, satellite internet works well for people who enjoy streaming and using Netflix but otherwise aren’t performing data-heavy tasks on a daily basis.

Factors That Make Satellite Internet Seem Pricier

Speed

Hughesnet is one of the nation’s top satellite internet providers. Unlike other companies such as Viasat who offers a sliding scale of download speeds, Hughesnet speeds max out at 100 Mbps¹, which is why satellite isn’t always recommended for heavy gamers who require a higher ping rate. With Hughesnet’s new fusion plans, online gaming is a reality.

Data Limits

Whereas companies like Viasat increase the cost of their internet packages based on the download speed, other satellite ISPs like Hughesnet increase the cost of certain packages due to the amount of data they allot per month.

For example, the base Hughesnet internet package with 100 GB of Priority Data and unlimited Standard Data starts at $49.99/mo. But then, how much data does one actually need?

Well, that all depends on how you use the internet. If you’re a light user who relies on the internet for paying bills, emailing with friends or family, or streaming an occasional song while cooking dinner, you’d probably be just fine with a lower-data package. However, heavy gamers and fans of a good, old-fashioned Netflix binge will want to select a package that allows for more data, because once you reach your limit, your speeds will slow until the next billing cycle.

Equipment

As mentioned above, buying your Hughesnet equipment outright may not be financially feasible for everyone just to waive the activation fee. However, in the long run, it could end up saving you money if you intend to stay with Hughesnet for a while and continue renewing your contract. If you’re unsure about whether or not you’ll want to stay with them, it might be better to pay the monthly lease.

Price Increases

There are many ISPs out there who claim they’re the lowest prices around, but then fail to mention that their prices increase anywhere from $20 to $50 after a matter of months. They also fail to mention that you’re getting the bare minimum speeds they offer at that lowest price around. With Hughesnet, what you see is what you get, and the price you sign up with is all you’ll have to pay for the length of your two-year contract. Sometimes depending on where you live, you may be eligible for a new customer promotion that saves you money for the first six months, but that is a bonus. Hughesnet is always upfront with how much your new internet service will cost you in the long run.

Final Thoughts

With the important factors laid out before you, you can use the information we’ve given you to make a more educated decision about your internet provider. Again, because satellite internet is available almost anywhere, the prices are generally a bit higher to accommodate the vast number of users. By keeping in mind any and all additional costs for things like equipment and installation, you can set your expectations for cost based on real information so that you know just what fees you’re liable for if you decide to go with a satellite internet provider such as Hughesnet.