Satellite internet is a complete wireless infrastructure that uses satellite and dish antennas to deliver internet services to customers. It is the most widely available internet option in the US that covers all states from Maine to Alaska.
Most of the people who choose satellite internet usually go for it because they don’t have many options available. So instead of choosing dial-up or slow DSL, they opt for satellite internet.
If you are also facing such a decision and need to know whether it’s going to be a wise choice or not, let’s have a look at the pros and cons of satellite internet. This will help you to know what you are getting into and whether it is worth it or not.
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Satellite Internet Advantages
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Availability
If you are living in a remote area where there are no good ISPs available, satellite internet has got your back.In comparison to other internet connections, satellite internet is the one that is most widely available.
For instance, HughesNet internet (the top choice for satellite internet in the US) offers services in all areas. As long as customers have a clear view of the Southern sky, they can get internet services.
Satellite internet doesn’t rely on a wired network. Instead, the satellite network involves two dish antennas that are connected to the satellite; one at the customer’s end and the second at the network operating center (NOC) of the service provider.
The dish at the customer’s end is further connected to a modem via cable and allows users to connect their devices to the internet. That makes it possible for satellite service providers to offer internet services everywhere.
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Reliability
Network outages are a huge concern for customers because it affects their user experience. For businesses, these outages could mean a huge loss at times.
If you are tired of the network outages, this is something that is least likely to happen if you with a satellite internet connection. Unlike terrestrial internet options, it works independently. So, you will have internet services as long as the equipment is connected to a power source.
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Instant Installation
Another very important factor that makes satellite internet much more desirable is instant installation. At the time of signing up for the services, you are not told to wait for weeks to get the services installed.
Satellite internet providers even offer the option of next-day installation based on your location. Due to that, satellite internet is a great option to go for when you need internet services instantly.
In comparison to that, cable and DSL internet service providers ask customers to wait for at least a few days, especially these days when the resources are limited due to Covid.
Satellite Internet disadvantages
Along with these benefits, several disadvantages make satellite internet questionable. These include;
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Data Caps
The biggest con of getting satellite internet service is the data cap. All the plans offered by satellite ISPs have specific data limits. When customers use that data, they have to pay more to buy additional data. That’s why you have to manage your data usage to avoid paying additional costs.
Even for the plans that offer unlimited data, there are soft data limits. When customers go over these limits, their speeds are managed according to ISP’s data management policy. If customers want to get back to full speed, they have to purchase more data.
Also read: How To Check Remaining Data In PTCL Charji Evo Cloud?
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Latency
The second issue with the satellite internet is its latency. Latency is a measure of how long it takes for your network to get a response from another device or server. With territorial internet connections such as DSL and cable, the latency is mostly less than 100 ms.
On the other hand, satellite internet providers have an average latency of over 500 ms. Because of that, satellite internet is not considered a good choice for gaming and other activities that require real-time data and connectivity.
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Expensive
Along with latency and data caps, another problem that customers face with satellite internet is the higher monthly cost. Satellite ISPs charge more than $50 per month for an average download speed of up to 25 Mbps.
In comparison to that, DSL internet costs around $40 for a similar speed, and the cable internet costs less than $30. That makes satellite internet expensive compared to other options.
So, if you are looking to stay within your budget and save money, satellite internet might not be a great choice.
Concluding Thoughts
The choice of going for a satellite internet connection is based on your needs and circumstances. If you are not an extensive user and don’t need much data, satellite internet would work great for you. Similarly, if you don’t have any other options and need to get internet services, satellite internet would work great for you.
On the other hand, if you are a heavy user and have other options available in your area, try to go for those options (unless they don’t offer a good speed).