Comparison of WildBlue Satellite to Verizon Wireless Broadband

WildBlue provides high-speed Internet via two satellites through a dish installed at a home or business and modems connected to computers using an Ethernet connection. WildBlue plans allows subscribers to register between five and 10 email addresses, and include a security suite with anti-virus and anti-spyware during the first 12 months of service, free installation and 24-hour technical support. WildBlue plans are subject to a mandatory 12-month contract. In addition to monthly fees, the company also charges customers an equipment lease fee.

In addition to mobile phone service, Verizon Wireless provides high-speed mobile broadband Internet service to its customers within its service area and in hotspots throughout the United States. To access the service, customers must have a broadband-enabled device, such as a mobile phone or tablet, or a computer attached to a Verizon wireless modem. Verizon allows its customers to subscribe to monthly mobile broadband plans without long-term service commitments, but Verizon customers may be subject to contracts when purchasing a Verizon wireless modem or broadband-enabled device, such as a mobile phone or tablet.

WildBlue's Value package features download speeds of up to 512 Kbps, the Select package provides download speeds of up to 1 Mbps, and the Pro package offers download speeds of up to 1.6 Mbps. The company does not guarantee a minimum speed, regardless of which plan a customer has selected. Subscribers to Verizon's mobile broadband service can expect download speeds of between 600 and 1.4 Kbps in the network's 3G coverage area, between 400 and 700 Kbps in the extended 3G coverage area, and between 60 and 80 Kbps outside Verizon's Mobile Broadband Rate and Coverage Area. Within Verizon's 4G network, customers can expect download speeds of between five and 12 Mbps.

WildBlue restricts the amount of data a subscriber can upload and download within a 30-day period. With the Value package, subscribers can download up to 7,500 MB and upload up to 2,300 MB per month, while users with the Select package can download up to 12,000 MB and upload up to 3,000 MB. For the Pro package, the download allowance is set at 17,000 MB per month and the upload limit is 5,000 MB. With Verizon, customers can purchase monthly allowances between one and 10 GB. Verizon customers can also adjust their monthly allowance each month to meet their needs.