The Best Satellite Internet Providers

by Shannon Leigh O'Neil, Demand Media

Satellite Internet service is a popular option for rural households and businesses.

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Satellite Internet service has grown in popularity in recent years, as more rural households and businesses have moved away from other connectivity options. Since the demand for higher speeds, better connections and unlimited use is always increasing, so is the number of providers to meet these needs. Satellite Internet providers offer competitive rates on high-speed Internet, even without a packaged bundle. The best satellite Internet providers are those who offer you the services you need at an affordable price. Once you know what type of service plan you require, compare rates to find reasonably priced satellite Internet in your area.

HughesNet

HughesNet offers three satellite Internet packages, each with different speeds and download allowances. All HughesNet plans deliver super-fast, always-on broadband satellite Internet. HughesNet Basic gives you download speeds of 1 Mbps and upload speeds of 200 Kbps. You get five e-mail accounts included. Power 150 allows download speeds of 1.5 Mbps, upload speeds of 250 Kbps and five e-mail accounts. Power 200 offers download speeds of 2 Mbps and upload speeds of 300 Kbps. You'll receive 10 e-mail accounts. These plans come with download allowances of 200, 300 and 400 MB respectively, which is the limit of data transmission you can use within a 24-hour period. Technical support is included in the monthly price of all plans. All HughesNet packages require a 24-month contract.

SkyWay USA

SkyWay USA offers four satellite Internet packages: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Each plan comes with a self-installation option or professional installation for a fee. Bronze provides download speeds of 384 Kbps. Silver allows download speeds of 512 Kbps. Gold offers download speeds of 768 Kbps. Platinum gives you download speeds of 1.5 Mbps. Only downloading is transmitted via the satellite dish; uploading is transmitted by a dial-up modem. You'll receive five e-mail accounts with each plan. Technical and customer support are also available. All SkyWay USA satellite Internet packages require a 24-month contract.

WildBlue

WildBlue offers three satellite Internet packages, each with free standard installation. All plans provide high-performance, high-speed satellite Internet. WildBlue Value allows download speeds of 512 Kbps and upload speeds of 128 Kbps. You get five e-mail accounts included. WildBlue Select allows download speeds of 1 Mbps and upload speeds of 200 Kbps. With this option, you'll also get five e-mail accounts. WildBlue Pro offers download speeds of 1.5 Mbps and upload speeds of 256 Kbps. You'll receive 10 e-mail accounts. A year of free antivirus and anti-spyware protection is included in the monthly cost of all plans. All WildBlue packages require a 24-month contract.

StarBand

StarBand (by Spacenet) offers three satellite Internet packages -- the Nova Series -- each with a StarBundle option that provides no-cost installation after rebate. All StarBand plans provide high-performance, always-on broadband satellite Internet. Nova 500 offers download speeds of 512 Kbps, upload speeds of 100 Kbps and five e-mail accounts with 7 GB of storage per account. Nova 1000 gives you download speeds up to 1 Mbps and upload speeds of 125 Kbps. With this option, you'll get 10 e-mail accounts with 7 GB of storage per account. Nova 1500 provides download speeds of 1.5 Mbps and upload speeds of 256 Kbps. You'll receive 15 e-mail accounts with 7 GB of storage per account. Technical support is included in the monthly cost of all plans. All StarBand packages require a 24-month contract.

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References

  • HughesNet Satellite Internet: Plans and Pricing
  • SkyWay USA: Satellite Internet for Rural America
  • WildBlue Packages, Pricing and Satellite Internet Promotions
  • StarBand Satellite Internet Services: Nova Series

Resources

  • Federal Communications Commission: Getting Broadband
  • National Telecommunications and Information Administration: National Broadband Map
  • Federal Trade Commission: Computers and the Internet

About the Author

Shannon Leigh O'Neil, a New York City-based arts and culture writer, has been writing professionally since 2008. Her articles have appeared in "GO Magazine," "The New York Blade" and "HX Magazine," as well as online media. O'Neil holds a Master of Arts in modern art history from the City College of New York, where she also studied French and minored in classical languages.

Photo Credits

  • Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images