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Viasat, formerly known as Exede, is a nationwide satellite internet provider offering address-based, “unlimited” plans that typically range from 12–100 Mbps with a monthly priority data amount. In many areas, entry tiers run about $70–$100 per month, mid tiers about $100–$150, and higher tiers $150–$200+ (equipment, installation, and taxes/fees extra). Exact plan names, prices, and availability vary by ZIP and current network capacity—check your address on Viasat’s site.
Pros
✓ Location-based speed tiers from 12–100 Mbps (availability varies by address)
✓ Larger priority-data allowances on higher tiers
✓ Nationwide satellite coverage
Cons
✗ Availability and speeds vary by location; capacity constraints can limit new sign-ups
✗ Higher prices than many wired options, and traffic may be deprioritized after your plan’s high-speed data amount
Viasat Internet Plans and Prices
*Data and availability are highly location-dependent; pricing, fees, and terms change frequently. Verify current offers on the provider’s site for your address.
Estimated speeds
Viasat’s residential lineup centers on “Unlimited” tiers advertised up to 12, 25, 50, and 100 Mbps (not offered in all areas). Plans include a monthly high-speed (priority) data amount — commonly around 40 GB, 60 GB, 100 GB, and 150 GB, respectively — after which your traffic may be deprioritized during congestion. Availability, thresholds, and speeds are set per address; confirm on the provider’s site and recent third-party reviews such as HighSpeedInternet.
Pricing
Viasat plan pricing is address-specific, but a practical range is roughly $70–$100 per month for entry tiers, $100–$150 for mid tiers, and $150–$200+ for higher-speed tiers, plus about a $15 per month equipment lease and typical professional installation around $99. Standard offers often include a 24-month term and early termination fees; see Viasat’s legal terms and the FCC’s Broadband Consumer Labels for exact disclosures. Competitor HughesNet commonly advertises 50–100 Mbps plans in many areas with location-based pricing; compare each provider’s label for your ZIP.
Who is each plan best for?
- 12 Mbps – Best for a single user with light browsing, email, music, and SD video on 1–2 devices
- 25 Mbps – Best for two to three users with a few devices and SD/HD streaming
- 30 Mbps – Best for small households with multiple devices and mixed SD/HD streaming
- 50 Mbps – Best for families with several devices, regular HD streaming, and remote work
- 100 Mbps – Best for larger households with multiple simultaneous HD streams (availability varies)
How fast is Viasat internet?
Viasat advertises speeds starting around 12 Mbps and up to 100 Mbps. The Fixed Broadband Report series from the Federal Communications Commission shows that actual vs. advertised performance varies by technology; satellite services can be more variable than modern wired connections. Providers now must display standardized Broadband Consumer Labels with typical busy-hour speeds and latency so you can compare what to expect.
Although Viasat’s 100 Mbps isn’t available everywhere and new sign-ups may be limited in some ZIP codes due to capacity, having access to 12 to 50 Mbps is a solid connection range for many small households — just plan around higher satellite latency and potential deprioritization after your priority-data threshold (check availability by address).
Internet Availability
Since Viasat internet is delivered by satellite, it’s widely available across the entire United States, even in areas that can’t get standard broadband or fiber internet service. Viasat also provides an availability and address checker so you can confirm current eligibility; since late 2024, new residential sign-ups have been restricted in many areas due to capacity constraints, and broader residential expansion depends on additional ViaSat-3 capacity following the 2023 reflector anomaly.
While Viasat is still more expensive than some cable and DSL internet options, if you live in a rural area where wired broadband or 5G Home isn’t available and want access to workable speeds with clearly disclosed data policies, Viasat can be a solid option — just be sure to review the plan’s priority data amount, fees, and contract terms before ordering.
Other Factors to Consider
The most important thing to know when considering Viasat is that plan availability, pricing, and speeds are highly location-dependent and constrained by local beam capacity. Top speeds are not available in all locations, and some ZIP codes may show limited or no availability for new residential orders. To get the most accurate pricing and plan information, enter your ZIP code on the Viasat website to see current offers for your address.
Another factor to consider is promotional pricing and total cost of ownership. Many offers use a standard 24-month term and may include early termination fees, equipment lease charges (often around $15 per month), and installation fees (commonly about $99). The FCC’s Broadband Consumer Labels now require clear disclosure of any introductory rate, its duration, the price after the promo, and typical speeds/latency; review these details and Viasat’s legal terms before you commit.
Finally, just like any other satellite provider, you may run into difficulties while using video conferencing tools or online gaming. This is a result of latency, which is the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another. With data having to travel between a satellite and your home, there may be a slight delay; for most interactive applications, keeping one-way delay under about 150 ms is recommended per ITU-T G.114.
Viasat vs. HughesNet
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