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Satellite Internet

Pros And Cons Of Satellite Internet

  • Tyler Cooper - Last updated: 4/26/2019

https://broadbandnow.com/guides/satellite-internet-pros-and-cons

Space internet service closer to becoming reality

OneWeb and SpaceX advance with their low-latency, satellite service offerings. Test results show promise, and service is expected by 2020.

https://www.networkworld.com/article/3439140/space-internet-service-closer-to-becoming-reality.html

Amazon Plans to Offer Satellite-Powered Internet

Amazon's Project Kuiper wants to serve 'tens of millions' of people who lack access to high-speed internet. But it could be years before the satellite-based broadband is actually available.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/amazon-plans-to-offer-satellite-powered-internet

How Google’s Loon Balloon Internet Service Is Heading Into Space

https://fortune.com/2019/01/31/google-loon-balloon-internet-in-space/

Best Satellite Internet Providers

Are there really only two major satellite providers in the US?

https://broadbandnow.com/guides/best-satellite-internet-providers

Best Satellite Internet Providers of 2020

If you need web access in the country, Viasat and HughesNet are likely your best rural internet options for now.

  • Catherine McNally - May 20, 2020

https://www.reviews.org/internet-service/best-satellite-internet-providers/

Why are there only two satellite internet providers?

You used to have five options for satellite internet providers. But now, three of the five have either closed up shop or been bought up. Now only Viasat (formerly Exede) and HughesNet offer satellite internet for rural areas.

  • HughesNet: Still offers satellite internet

  • Exede Internet: Changed its name to Viasat

  • WildBlue satellite internet: Bought by Exede in 2009

  • dishNET: Discontinued, but DISH customers can get satellite internet service through a third party

  • EarthLink: Discontinued its satellite internet service

If you’re looking for more ways to get rural internet, we’ve got a few different options in our guide to the best rural internet service.

Satellite internet updates

Viasat and HughesNet have been neck and neck with each other, but a few other satellite internet up-and-comers are well on their way to giving these two ISPs a run for their money.

  • Viasat: Launched the ViaSat-2 satellite in 2017 and plans to launch ViaSat-3 trio of satellites in 2021 and 2022. The ViaSat-3 satellites should expand services in the US and bump up download speeds.
    Right now, we think Viasat is best for the fastest satellite internet speeds.

  • HughesNet: Launched the EchoStar XIX satellite in 2016 and plans to launch EchoStar XXIV in 2021. The EchoStar XXIV satellite should bring HughesNet speeds up to 100 Mbps or faster.
    We recommend HughesNet as the best satellite internet provider if you don’t need a lot of data or fast speeds.

  • SpaceX: Launched 60 more Starlink satellites in March 2020. If things go as planned, SpaceX Starlink satellite internet service should be available in 2020. (Crossing our fingers!)

  • OneWeb: Launched another 34 satellites in March 2020, bringing its total number of satellites in orbit to 74. OneWeb hopes to offer regional service in 2020 and expand to global service in 2021.

  • Project Kuiper (Amazon): Amazon’s satellite internet program has been quieter than its rivals. Currently there’s no date for Project Kuiper satellite launches or internet service availability, but if all goes as planned, its research and development team should move into a new facility this year. (Fun fact: Project Kuiper is named after the Kuiper belt, a region of our solar system that lies beyond Neptune’s orbit.)