DISH Internet Review: Plans, Prices, and More

How does DISH internet work?

Until 2017, DISH Network offered a satellite internet service called dishNET. DISH no longer offers its own satellite internet, but you can still get internet through DISH’s main internet partner: Viasat internet.

Viasat is a satellite internet provider, which means that you can get it anywhere just like with DISH satellite TV service.  But if you don't want to bundle with Viasat, there are other internet plans that pair well with DISH TV, even if they're not official DISH internet bundles.

The best high-speed internet providers to pair with DISH TV will obviously depend on your situation and geographic location; Viasat internet, for example, is available anywhere in the United States, but 4G LTE and fixed wireless networks like Verizon and Rise Broadband have more restricted coverage areas, even if they're more available in rural areas than, say, fiber networks or even cable internet providers.

We recommend Viasat for anyone who has DISH because its satellite signal allows them to watch from any rural or off-grid in the first place. If you're nearer a town, Verizon's 5G home internet and T-Mobile's home internet are hard to beat, what with all that juicy download speed.

But just because DISH offers TV and internet bundles Viasat doesn’t mean you have to go with one of these options if you want internet service with your DISH TV service—you probably have several other internet providers in your area, and they might be a better choice. 

DISH's partner, Viasat Internet, can sometimes be comparable with cable internet speeds, but it depends on what internet plan you get.

Viasat Internet offers plans up to 100 Mbps speeds, which is as fast as the cable internet plan the writer herself uses. Viasat's prices for the same plan might be a bit more expensive, but at least you can get those high speeds in places you can't with cable.

Internet technology can determine a lot about what your DISH internet speeds and experience will look like. But Viasat's best speeds are also the most expensive, so you'll want to calculate those prices along with your favorite DISH package price. But of course, Viasat isn't the only internet plan you can get with DISH packages. We'll dive into it a bit more to show you what internet type you might most want to pair with your DISH TV experience.

DISH satellite internet

If you’re living in a rural area, a Viasat satellite internet and DISH satellite TV packages bundle may be your best choice. But if your area has other internet options, be sure to check them out.

Depending on where you live, you might also have cable, DSL, fixed-wireless, or fiber internet service in your area that you can bundle to get DISH Wi-Fi. Most of these types of internet offer more data each month at a better price than satellite internet.

DISH internet through wireless home internet

Some areas can also get 4G LTE home internet service from Verizon or T-Mobile, which can be more cost-effective than a satellite plan.

For more information on selecting an internet package to go with your DISH TV plan, check out our guide to the best internet options for rural areas.

The future of DISH internet is 5G

DISH is actively working on building 5G networks throughout the US, which could prove useful for many Americans who live in suburbs and small towns and have limited internet options. 5G mobile plans often offer unlimited data, allowing customers to use the service for both mobile phone and home internet service. DISH Wi-Fi may yet be very fast indeed.

DISH acquired Boost Mobile and signed vendor deals with 5G fiber vendors, DISH is poised to become the fourth major mobile phone carrier in the US. DISH announced plans to build 5G infrastructure and has committed to deliver broadband coverage to 70% of the US by mid-2023.

• DISH vs. DIRECTV
• The Best Rural Internet Providers
• DISH Satellite TV Review
• DISH FAQ

DISH doesn't offer its own internet, but it does partner with Viasat to get you some easy DISH Wi-Fi. Of course, you won't save any extra, so it's not bundling in the typical sense. Feel free to look through all your best internet options before signing something.

No, DISH doesn’t have its own satellite internet service. Several years ago, DISH had a satellite internet service under the name dishNET but this was discontinued in 2017. DISH satellite dishes are exclusively for satellite TV service.

You can't get DISH internet on its own because DISH doesn't offer its old internet service, dishNET, anyore. The service was phased out in 2017. But you can get an internet plan from DISH's internet partner, Viasat, on its own.