Viasat reinvented its residential satellite internet service with a new type of package that takes the pressure off of customers by eliminating contracts and unlocking unlimited data for its users.
In early 2024, Viasat rolled out a completely new business model with a single, streamlined offering called Viasat Unleashed. It now stands out from rival satellite providers Hughesnet and Starlink for its unlimited data and no contract service.
However, it still has drawbacks, particularly high latency. Most customers I interviewed said that it’s better than nothing, but it’s often frustrating to use.
“Viasat speeds were good, but the latency was bad—800ms plus,” former Viasat customer Jason Astel told me in a recent interview. “It was not an ISP to stream anything.”
Astel used Viasat in rural Missouri prior to Viasat’s “Unleashed” rollout, however, and there is optimism now that Viasat’s service can better compete with Hughesnet and Starlink. In this review, I’ll break down the differences between providers, and give you insights from actual Viasat customers to help you decide if Viasat is the best satellite provider for you.