What does “Unlimited” mean? What are users experiencing?
Posted 1 year ago
VeteranSatUser, Champion
Viasat is not truly unlimited. On some plans your speed will drop to almost nothing if you go over your data limit. On other plans your speed will be "prioritized" if you go over, meaning during times of congestion your service will be quite slow.
And they lie about the congestion. Even when there is none, congestion, they throttle you to next to nothing if you're over your unlimited limit. Worst internet service on the planet - dial-up was less exasperating.
GabeU, Champion
Even when there is none, congestion, they throttle you to next to nothing if you're over your unlimited limit.And how do YOU know when there's no congestion?
It’s true! They are the worst internet service I have ever had. I cannot WAIT to get out of my contracts! ☹️
It seems like unhappy customers are a dime a dozen these days. Does Viasat even care about residential customers anymore?
Unhappy customers are welcomed with open arms around here; those satisfied are browbeaten and simply avoid the beatings with a few noteworthy exceptions who are apparent gluttons for punishment.
Perhaps Claudia would like to add some substance to her complaint - it may be correctable or not.
If not fixable and if a viable alternative is available she would do well to cancel and not wait to get out of the contract rather than continue on with the worst internet service she's ever had - $15 per remaining month is a small price to pay to preserve one's sanity and restore happiness. Dare I say that there are some that weren't even aware of that thinking they must pay off the entire 2 year commit.
Perhaps Claudia would like to add some substance to her complaint - it may be correctable or not.
If not fixable and if a viable alternative is available she would do well to cancel and not wait to get out of the contract rather than continue on with the worst internet service she's ever had - $15 per remaining month is a small price to pay to preserve one's sanity and restore happiness. Dare I say that there are some that weren't even aware of that thinking they must pay off the entire 2 year commit.
(Edited)
I agree. Why wait until contract is out. $15/month isnt that much when people pay $1,000+ for a mobile device.
Here is something though. Hughesnet offers a 30 day cancellation period. Is Viasat not confident enough in their initial customer satisfaction level they cant do the same? I will give credit to Hughesnet on this point. I am sure they lose some new customers, but must retain enough to make it worthwhile.
Here is something though. Hughesnet offers a 30 day cancellation period. Is Viasat not confident enough in their initial customer satisfaction level they cant do the same? I will give credit to Hughesnet on this point. I am sure they lose some new customers, but must retain enough to make it worthwhile.
GabeU, Champion
Here is something though. Hughesnet offers a 30 day cancellation period.No, they don't. They may have many years ago, and some sites may still incorrectly state that they do, but HughesNet doesn't offer a "no penalty" cancellation period. The contract, and the early termination fee, is valid the instant the service goes live.
(Edited)
30 day trial offered in my area. Got the mailer the other week stating it.
GabeU, Champion
It may be something a reseller is offering, but HughesNet themselves don't offer such.
Could be. I talked to a dealer the other week. He covered the eastern half of Ohio. Surprised of the coverage area for one dealer.
Personally I want to avoid satellite internet again. Wireless has it's up and downs but is cheaper and I can stream using 90GB or so a month with no issues. But it is good to know what other internet option I have. Maybe LEO will but become a game changer.
Personally I want to avoid satellite internet again. Wireless has it's up and downs but is cheaper and I can stream using 90GB or so a month with no issues. But it is good to know what other internet option I have. Maybe LEO will but become a game changer.
(Edited)
While "technically" it is Unlimited, there is a point at which you will be "de-prioritized" ... meaning others who have not reached this limit will get their data first and yours will become slower during periods of heavy usage. What it's meant to us is that in the evenings when we get home from work.. I can no longer stream Netflix or any of my TV apps until the period resets.
If you're planning on becoming a cord-cutter and watch TV alot, you'll have issues.
If you're planning on becoming a cord-cutter and watch TV alot, you'll have issues.
Best to get the Dish Network $22 package.
ViaSat or any satellite internet is NOT for streaming if you want internet more then a couple days a month plain and simple
Correct. Not for cord cutters.
NOT UNLIMITED!! After going over our 100 they have “prioritized” our speed which really means your out of luck for internet until your new month. So frustrating to pay this much and can’t use internet at all. Called many times they just tell me I’ve gone over my 100 and it will be slow until the new billing cycle. Our family has to turn off WiFi and use our cell phones to stream or browse the internet. Sitting here watching Netflix on my iPhone instead of my 75in smart tv. Called to cancel since we are still on our 1st month and it’s $350 to get out of my contract. 
Everything you said is true and explained in the contract you agreed to. Stay under your data Limit and things will work out better.
Data limits are the key words, but it’s advertised as unlimited?
Unlimited DATA, not speed.
Brannnnnn, non-stop streaming and you will go over your priority data very quickly. Satellite is not meant for "cord cutting".
Yes, we have direct tv & have not “cut the cord” so to speak, with that being said paying $150 a month for the gold plan ( the salesman & I spoke about our streaming needs for our family before I signed up) I feel should be able to watch Netflix on my $150 a month internet. Just going to pay the cancelation fee and go back to our old service. Live & learn Thank you
Who was your old internet service with?
$150 per month is a lot. You would think you could at least watch Netflix without issues.
VeteranSatUser, Champion
You can watch Netflix. But if you go over your priority data, you might not be able to.
Steve Frederick-VS1/Beam314, Champion
I am on the Freedom 150 GB plan, a plan that was only offered for a very short time a year or so back. I do watch Netflix and Hulu, sometimes three hours a day. That will average about 15 GB a day, so I can't do that every day of my cycle or I will max out and then it is SLOW time. Since back in the "old days" (2012) when I started with Viasat I only had 10 GB a month, then later 18 GB a month, with gradual increases as time went on, I am always very careful how much of my monthly "data budget" I have used, and work with that. My only choice for internet is satellite, and Viasat is my ISP of choice at my home.
Back a few years ago, streaming programs and movies was just not an option with satellite internet. Now it is, within reason. One just must be aware of how much data they have used so they can stretch their data allotment through the whole cycle.
Back a few years ago, streaming programs and movies was just not an option with satellite internet. Now it is, within reason. One just must be aware of how much data they have used so they can stretch their data allotment through the whole cycle.
VeteranSatUser, Champion
I hope 3 hours of streaming isnt using 15GB! Should be around 6 or so, and that is for HD quality.
Netflix for 3 hours day doesn't use that much. lol. That's about how much I watch and we still have plenty to spare. Unless you're watching full HD.
And it's all a lie - they have bandwidth.
Stephen Rice, Champion
They have bandwidth?
GabeU, Champion
Is it the weekend already?
I've got my popcorn ready. Extra buttery!!!
I've got my popcorn ready. Extra buttery!!!
My comment or question is to Brad, the Viasat employee. Why can't we all use the entire internet. It's out there in space for us to tap into. Why do all the internet providers limit their users. We pay for all this internet that's out there and we don't get our money's worth because we are shut down. Our cell phones can get the internet, but the home can't. Ridiculous. So many things people aren't educated in. Of course, we aren't suppose to know!
GabeU, Champion
Though you asked Brad, I can tell you that the reason is because a satellite only has so much throughput, or capacity. That throughput has to be divided between all users, and data amounts force people to prioritize what they do on the net, allowing that limited throughput to be enough for everyone, or at least enough in theory. It often slows down, of course, especially in the evenings. Ground based services don't have nearly as much of a limited throughput, so they can allow higher data capacities, including unlimited.
BTW, the internet isn't in space. The satellite is, more or less, a sophisticated mirror, reflecting the signal from your dish back to a ground station, which is where your connection enters the internet. But again, that "mirror" only has so much throughput.
If they had no data limits, this is what would happen, in a digital sense, and already does, to an extent, though it would be MUCH worse...
BTW, the internet isn't in space. The satellite is, more or less, a sophisticated mirror, reflecting the signal from your dish back to a ground station, which is where your connection enters the internet. But again, that "mirror" only has so much throughput.
If they had no data limits, this is what would happen, in a digital sense, and already does, to an extent, though it would be MUCH worse...
(Edited)
That’s terrible! Why would they say unlimited? Unlimited access, but not unlimited speed apparently.
Unlimited is used by all internet providers and does not mean unlimited speed. All it means is you are not completely shut down or automatically charged for more date when you go over your limit. This is nothing new and has been happening for years with providers. ( also Brannnn, you are probably on a plan that throttles your streaming to 2mbs all the time, even with priority data. So going over your data will really throttle your streaming speed!)
(Edited)
I was looking at U.S. Cellular's prepaid options (need a temp. phone and they are the only carrier with coverage in a certain area), I like their advertising. $40 gets 3GB then throttled to 2G. $55 gets "unlimited"* (*"All data on Unlimited Data plans stream at speeds of up to 3.0 Mbps and
will automatically shift to 2G speeds when each line reaches 15GB"). Might as well call the $40 plan unlimited too, same difference, $55 plan could be "even more unlimited than unlimited". "Unlimited", though technically true, is a plan description that is thrown around WAY too much.
Agreed! Unlimited is just a flashy marketing term to attract the sheep.
Brad, Viasat Employee
Jim is pretty correct. We do get beat up over that a bit but it's unlimited data since we do not cap you off or shut you off after surpassing a certain amount according to whatever plan you go with. You may see speeds slow as you're put on a lower priority on the network during peak hours (5pm-12am in most areas) but you still have a connection and can probably surf but streaming might be difficult to do.
Viasat approved wording states "Unlimited Data". I prefer to look at it positively, this helps you have decent internet while you're within your priority limit. If Viasat promised truly Unlimited High-Speed, nobody would ever get high-speed. I do wish there was still a Free Period though. This would give customers who are interested in conserving data a way to do so with the unlimited plans.
Why are we limited? Is there a shortage with the internet?
GabeU, Champion
Answered above.
and sorry brad i am not able to browse my web page just sits and loads then times out unlimited bull
I've dealt with the same issue. I'm fine with the limits, but I cannot browse the net once over the limit, I get time outs and socket errors. That is the only issue I have with the service. I now make sure I stay under the limit.
My experience is that for the first two months were pretty good, as long as I wasn't streaming netflix. Now, I am 11 days from the end of my billing period. I have been throttled since a few days after my billing period started. I say throttled as the tech that came out couldn't find anything wrong with the dish, wiring, or modem. He tried to replace the modem, but couldn't get the new one associated with my account. So Here I sit, having 11 days left in the billing period, I have only used 19 of the 100 GB I have for the month. My current download speed is 250Kbps. I would suggest to read a book rather than subject yourself to this misery.
You shouldn't be slowed down from the internet if you only used 19 of your 100 gigs. I never heard of this!
I signed up when the "Unlimited Silver" plan was first offered in my area. I was told they would be NO PRIORITIZATION... No magic number.... which appears to be 150MB. I explained to the representative on the phone, my husband is a Stroke victim. All he does is stream TV shows and movies all day long. I was told No worries! Your service, if you choose the Silver or Gold plan is truly unlimited! I asked....what about prioritization, slowing the speed down until streaming is not an option. I was told, "Not going to happen! There is no limit!" THEY ARE LIARS. DO NOT BE TAKEN IN! When I called to complain about not even being able to check my email, not to mention stream any TV shows, I was told, that the Unlimited Silver plan (Which is what I am paying $120 a month for) is no longer available in my area and we would continue to be prioritized at 150MB as long as we have our service. But feel free to cancel if you are not satisfied with your service. (With a penalty fee, of course). This month we were throttled with 14 days left in this billing period, last month, about the same. When I first signed up, this did not happen. So, what this amounts to: They will tell you anything to hook you into a 2 year contract... you are penalized if you break it, they do whatever they want after they hook you, because they have you in a 2 year contract. I reported them to the FTC. I may not be able to do anything to help our situation, but every time someone asks how I like Exede/ViaSat... they get an earful.
The FTC will do nothing to a company that is abiding by the contract that you agreed to. In future remember to always get it in writing. Take nobodies word for anything. Nobodies.
Back in February, Viasat changed their data policy on the plans with 150GB so that they can deprioritize, or throttle, anyone even if they haven't used anywhere near the data limit. I was on the Freedom 150GB plan, and was often slowed down to 1 Mbps or less with my usage at less than 20GB.
You should have gotten an email explaining this, and the options you could take. For me, since Viasat basically was trying to get those on the 150GB plans, I just cancelled my service
You should have gotten an email explaining this, and the options you could take. For me, since Viasat basically was trying to get those on the 150GB plans, I just cancelled my service
(Edited)
Basically a sales person told you one thing and you agreed with a contract of service that states something different. Your option is to PAY the penalty and terminate the service they actually offer. My sales person lied to me many times over a period of weeks to get my money.
(Edited)
Legal or not, misrepresenting something to get a sale does nothing but hurt a company's reputation.
GabeU, Champion
As mentioned by Danielle, you should have gotten an email about your plan, in which it was explained that you had the option to cancel your service WITHOUT penalty if you did not agree with the changes. I don't know if there is a time limit to this offer, so you may want to search your past emails to find it, if it hasn't already been deleted and/or purged, that is. You also may want to call to ask about this, as you may still have this option.
BTW, your prioritization threshold is 150GB, not 150MB.
One should ALWAYS do their research about a product or service before signing on the proverbial dotted line. This doesn't excuse any lies allegedly told by the sales representative, but it would have saved you form an unfortunate surprise. It's a hard lesson to learn. I do, however, understand that, in your present situation, that may not have been something you were thinking about. Sorry about your husband. :(
Satellite internet, even when it's advertised as "unlimited", isn't made for cord cutting. Streaming is a very data intensive activity that can exhaust your pre-prioritization data very quickly. It can be at a rate of upwards of 3GB or more per hour. Fifty hours of streaming doesn't really take that long in the context of a month, and that's JUST the streaming. Everything else that's done uses data, as well.
Good luck.
BTW, your prioritization threshold is 150GB, not 150MB.
One should ALWAYS do their research about a product or service before signing on the proverbial dotted line. This doesn't excuse any lies allegedly told by the sales representative, but it would have saved you form an unfortunate surprise. It's a hard lesson to learn. I do, however, understand that, in your present situation, that may not have been something you were thinking about. Sorry about your husband. :(
Satellite internet, even when it's advertised as "unlimited", isn't made for cord cutting. Streaming is a very data intensive activity that can exhaust your pre-prioritization data very quickly. It can be at a rate of upwards of 3GB or more per hour. Fifty hours of streaming doesn't really take that long in the context of a month, and that's JUST the streaming. Everything else that's done uses data, as well.
Good luck.
That's just it. I never signed on a dotted line. I have HughesNet and although I'm a very organized person, for the life of me, I couldn't find my contract. I called them, and I can't find a contract because there is no contract that I signed. They say it's a verbal agreement between you and the salesman when you signed up and the contract is inforced the day service starts up. So...how can they hold us to a contract we didn't sign?
Like I said, I have HughesNet and buffering is awful. Would ViaSat be any better??
Like I said, I have HughesNet and buffering is awful. Would ViaSat be any better??
Depending on location, "maybe". But people in my area dropped Viasat and found Hughesnet better.
Steve Frederick-VS1/Beam314, Champion
By you agreeing to have the service installed makes the contract valid. Contracts are valid by signature or by verbally agreeing to them.
I have no issues with my Viasat Liberty 12GB plan, no buffering during streaming, and speeds between 8 and 12 Mbps. Been with them since 2008. However, I can only speak for my service, in central NY state, on a beam that is not congested. In other areas, the service is known to be either better or much worse, it all depends on the beam loading, i.e., how many subscribers are on the beam, and how many are online at any given time.
True with satellite internet, and other forms of internet.
I have no issues with my Viasat Liberty 12GB plan, no buffering during streaming, and speeds between 8 and 12 Mbps. Been with them since 2008. However, I can only speak for my service, in central NY state, on a beam that is not congested. In other areas, the service is known to be either better or much worse, it all depends on the beam loading, i.e., how many subscribers are on the beam, and how many are online at any given time.
True with satellite internet, and other forms of internet.
Is there a better alternative other than either HughesNet or ViaSat that you'd suggest I try living in the country? Short of doing the old fashion dial-up service, are there any other alternatives?
As they said, location. Talk of alternatives are now frowned upon here, more than a brief mention will get a post deleted or closed. So, you will need to find other forums to ask, such as Reddit, howardforums, dslreports, etc. Check if a WISP is available, Google the word with "internet". Do you have cell service? Decent? Most carriers have an option, some unlimited, some not, some cheaper, some not.
Of course. Thank you for the reminder. Wasn't trying to be insensitive. I forgot where I was. :)
Post this question on the Viasat forum of DSLreports and get more insight.
Possibly Ok to post the link for that? This is the Viasat forum, despite saying Wildblue (Wildblue was the old name).
https://www.dslreports.com/forum/wildblue
https://www.dslreports.com/forum/wildblue
How fast determines on your location, the weather, the installation, your equipment, the website, the size of the file you are downloading, whether or not your are on wifi or ethernet, the number of people are online in your home, the amount of data you have left and how many other people are online that share your "satellite node." So that's a lot of variables and THEY ALL affect speed. Remember Satellite is like a big fat wifi antennae in the sky that everyone is sharing. Will you have unlimited, basic, bare minimum access to the internet? Yes. Unlike before when you would run out of data you were cut off totally. If you have teenagers just do yourself a favor, buy the biggest, best package and hope for the best. You will still run out of data and there will be times of slowness.
@ skipbo2015
Well said but the single most important factor remains: How much bandwidth has ViaSat allocated to the U.S. consumer? We are after all their least important customers.
