Satellite internet
Satellite internet reaches homes that no cable, phone line or tower can. A dish at your home talks to satellites overhead, so the main requirement is a clear view of the sky.
- Low-orbit satellite: about 50 to 250 Mbps with 25 to 60 ms delay.
- Traditional satellite: about 25 to 150 Mbps with around 600 ms delay.
- Equipment costs more up front than other connection types.
Two kinds of satellite
Traditional (geostationary) satellites sit about 22,000 miles up. The signal takes over half a second to make the round trip. Browsing and streaming work, but video calls have a noticeable lag and fast-paced online games are not practical.
Low-orbit satellites fly a few hundred miles up in large groups. Delay drops to roughly 25 to 60 milliseconds, close to a wired connection. Speeds are higher too. This is the kind most rural households now consider first.
What you need
A dish with an open view of the sky. Trees are the usual problem, especially for low-orbit service, which needs a wide view because the satellites move. The provider's app can check for obstructions before you buy.
Costs and limits
- Equipment: the dish and router are often bought outright or leased, and cost more than a cable modem.
- Data: many traditional plans include a set amount of priority data, then slow down. Low-orbit plans are usually more generous, but busy areas may have waitlists or congestion fees.
- Weather: very heavy rain or snow can interrupt the signal briefly.
Who should pick satellite
Choose satellite when no wired or tower-based option gives you at least 25 Mbps. If fixed wireless or 5G home internet reaches you with a good signal, compare them first, as they usually cost less.
Common questions
Can I game on satellite internet?
On low-orbit satellite, yes for most games. On traditional satellite the delay is too high for fast online games.
Does satellite internet work in bad weather?
It works in normal rain and cloud. Severe storms can cause short dropouts.
Can I install the dish myself?
Low-orbit kits are designed for self-install. Traditional satellite normally needs a technician to aim the dish.