I wanted to get more information about ViaSat internet. I just recently moved to a rural area and there are not many internet providers in Lodi, Ca. I spoke with a rep and they had a great deal going on. 100mbps @ $50 a month for the first 3 months and then $70 thereafter wish I believe 150 GB before deprioritization. If I go over that data usage, should I expect my Mbps to drop down to like 1-5 Mbps? I stream Netflix, play Xbox one online, etc a good amount and want to make sure I'm making the best decision. My only other option is fixed wireless internet that would provide me at best 6 Mbps and an overpriced bill. I appreciate any and all input! Thanks guys!
Posted 11 months ago
Bev, Champion
get sat to hold you over while you build out your own wireless link to a place with internet, I built up a solar powered 25mile wireless link for under $500 in hardware. keeping viasat as a backup.
VeteranSatUser, Champion
Thanks for all the info guys! I appreciate it! I will definitely look into possibly doing both if I can get a good enough price. Hopefully so, but if not that is definitely a tough choice. I love FPS. I play mostly battlefield and halo online by other than that, just offline games like NBA2k, madden, etc.
Bev, so we may not be able to stream after 150GB? That would suck cause we love to stream Netflix, etc, and do not have cable so that's our go to.
Oliver, unfortunately I wouldn't even know where to start in building my own wireless link lol.. thanks for all the info thus far! A lot to think about.
As for the fixed wireless, there is no priortization or data caps which is good, justa. It more expensive with slower mbps, up to 6mbps which is kinda crappy, or so I think so
Bev, so we may not be able to stream after 150GB? That would suck cause we love to stream Netflix, etc, and do not have cable so that's our go to.
Oliver, unfortunately I wouldn't even know where to start in building my own wireless link lol.. thanks for all the info thus far! A lot to think about.
As for the fixed wireless, there is no priortization or data caps which is good, justa. It more expensive with slower mbps, up to 6mbps which is kinda crappy, or so I think so
Nick,
To build your own setup you first need to find a home or business in area covered by cable, dsl, local high speed carrier and purchase for that location. You don't want to tell provider you'll be sending the signal elsewhere. For reasons unknown they really dislike the idea. Next you need a modem to port from carrier to a satellite dish (ubiquity is a go to). That dish will beam line of sight up to about 26 miles where your home dish is set. Receive signal on matching dish, drop into a router and spread it out at your place. On your end you'll want an ethernet setup with a power over ether attachment to carry signal and send it to your equipment. Shop hard and you should be able to set it up for minimum of $500usd. Add bells and whistles like cams, surveillance of ingress/egress routes like a driveway, prize petunia/peone/pot bed and the hay burning horse stall with a nose or neigh call feature, then double more hardware needed and it all has costs.
Pre plan this on paper and know what you want vs what is available. The more input/output devices the more complicated setup gets. Once you get it dialed, print or draw a color coded map listing parts where placed and service unit descriptions with model numbers so others can fix if/when it goes sideways and you are off skiing for the day. Plainly label in visible place with arrows pointing at power switches and reset buttons so they can find and fix quickly.
If you have any other options explore them. Satellite internet is for we who have NO OTHER choice due to location/cost of installing phone or cable. (In my case PacBell or GTE haven't decided who gets to nail me on install. Last guesstimate was 85,000usd to run a phone cable a bit over 6 miles on same poles that bring electricity to literally the end of the line. Last electric drop is my water pump and picnic grounds. In my electricity scenario it has been better after cajoling PGE into shifting transformers around to spread meters over different line sets. That allows one or more to keep power when outages occur. Not always but enough to make it worth while. Hope my random methodology gives you a start.
It isn't as complex as you think. Primarily you need somewhere in providers service area to get service then a 2 way link to your house. Very Small Aperture Telecomm (VSAT) is usually least expensive and most reliable. During heavy weather especially lightning there will be speed degradation. A cloudburst will slow it down. During May and October there is high solar flare activity which also impacts satellite service. At times, depending on location and direction you are shipping signals, outages can go from negligible to complete outage. Be sure to have approximate costs you will be covering when trying to find a place and offer an incentive such as cash, yardwork, some of that pot :) or whatever will help. Also try to make your equipment at their place as inconspicuous as you can. An example is cellular repeater towers; along Highway 50 between Folsom and Lake Tahoe you'll see perfectly symmetrical trees along the road that look too perfect. (cell towers) Sometimes it will be a water tower with pump house at bottom or an over large area light. The repeater may be as small as a boot box but the camouflage can be as large as a windmill tower. In a windy area you could have your setup generating its own and spare electricity. Solar panels on a pole is good too.
To build your own setup you first need to find a home or business in area covered by cable, dsl, local high speed carrier and purchase for that location. You don't want to tell provider you'll be sending the signal elsewhere. For reasons unknown they really dislike the idea. Next you need a modem to port from carrier to a satellite dish (ubiquity is a go to). That dish will beam line of sight up to about 26 miles where your home dish is set. Receive signal on matching dish, drop into a router and spread it out at your place. On your end you'll want an ethernet setup with a power over ether attachment to carry signal and send it to your equipment. Shop hard and you should be able to set it up for minimum of $500usd. Add bells and whistles like cams, surveillance of ingress/egress routes like a driveway, prize petunia/peone/pot bed and the hay burning horse stall with a nose or neigh call feature, then double more hardware needed and it all has costs.
Pre plan this on paper and know what you want vs what is available. The more input/output devices the more complicated setup gets. Once you get it dialed, print or draw a color coded map listing parts where placed and service unit descriptions with model numbers so others can fix if/when it goes sideways and you are off skiing for the day. Plainly label in visible place with arrows pointing at power switches and reset buttons so they can find and fix quickly.
If you have any other options explore them. Satellite internet is for we who have NO OTHER choice due to location/cost of installing phone or cable. (In my case PacBell or GTE haven't decided who gets to nail me on install. Last guesstimate was 85,000usd to run a phone cable a bit over 6 miles on same poles that bring electricity to literally the end of the line. Last electric drop is my water pump and picnic grounds. In my electricity scenario it has been better after cajoling PGE into shifting transformers around to spread meters over different line sets. That allows one or more to keep power when outages occur. Not always but enough to make it worth while. Hope my random methodology gives you a start.
It isn't as complex as you think. Primarily you need somewhere in providers service area to get service then a 2 way link to your house. Very Small Aperture Telecomm (VSAT) is usually least expensive and most reliable. During heavy weather especially lightning there will be speed degradation. A cloudburst will slow it down. During May and October there is high solar flare activity which also impacts satellite service. At times, depending on location and direction you are shipping signals, outages can go from negligible to complete outage. Be sure to have approximate costs you will be covering when trying to find a place and offer an incentive such as cash, yardwork, some of that pot :) or whatever will help. Also try to make your equipment at their place as inconspicuous as you can. An example is cellular repeater towers; along Highway 50 between Folsom and Lake Tahoe you'll see perfectly symmetrical trees along the road that look too perfect. (cell towers) Sometimes it will be a water tower with pump house at bottom or an over large area light. The repeater may be as small as a boot box but the camouflage can be as large as a windmill tower. In a windy area you could have your setup generating its own and spare electricity. Solar panels on a pole is good too.
Fixed wireless. Why?
1. Viasat is different in some areas. So you could have fast or slow internet depending on where you live and you can’t take a chance with that.
2. More data for cheaper.
3. More reliable speeds, there is no “peak” on fixed wireless internet like Viasat.
4. When you run out of data on Viasat you $10 for 1gig (which is stupid if you ask me but whatever). With AT&T fixed wireless you get 50 gigs for $10. Hm.
5. Low latency on fixed wireless.
That’s all I can think of.
1. Viasat is different in some areas. So you could have fast or slow internet depending on where you live and you can’t take a chance with that.
2. More data for cheaper.
3. More reliable speeds, there is no “peak” on fixed wireless internet like Viasat.
4. When you run out of data on Viasat you $10 for 1gig (which is stupid if you ask me but whatever). With AT&T fixed wireless you get 50 gigs for $10. Hm.
5. Low latency on fixed wireless.
That’s all I can think of.
(Edited)
GabeU, Champion
You can't buy more data for a ViaSat unlimited plan.
So Gabe, just what is on the other side of far edge of the universe? ;))
Maybe the billing group for extra data on unlimited plans of all kinds. If my point to point setup outline for Nick Paul is germane and understandable feel free to use it.
Why can existing customers NOT find plan info w/o calling some 800 number and spend time cajoling some poor clerk into quickly telling what the best plan for the money happens to be at moment of asking? If we are actually talking to folks who can query setup, make nominal changes as needed to fix issue customer is having that is a lot of wasted time/money on both sides. Having set up technical, network and general call centers from plan through facility build to install equipment and hiring initial employees I see the CSN (customer service nightmare) from hands on perspective.
Why can existing customers NOT find plan info w/o calling some 800 number and spend time cajoling some poor clerk into quickly telling what the best plan for the money happens to be at moment of asking? If we are actually talking to folks who can query setup, make nominal changes as needed to fix issue customer is having that is a lot of wasted time/money on both sides. Having set up technical, network and general call centers from plan through facility build to install equipment and hiring initial employees I see the CSN (customer service nightmare) from hands on perspective.
Gabe, most viasat plans in, you can buy more data.
VeteranSatUser, Champion
Most? Only ones I know of were the Classic ones which are not sold anymore are they?
GabeU, Champion
Gabe, most viasat plans in, you can buy more data.For the OP, that's a moot point. The OP is looking at an Unlimited plan vs Fixed Wireless. One cannot buy additional data for an Unlimited plan.
Steve Frederick-VS1/Beam314, Champion
I am an existing customer of Viasat, have been for better than 10 years now. I can fin plans available on the Viasat account page, sometimes referred to the Customer Porthole.
Martin appears to be on his relaxation meds already and the weekend isn't quite here yet.
Martin appears to be on his relaxation meds already and the weekend isn't quite here yet.
GabeU, Champion
So Gabe, just what is on the other side of far edge of the universe? ;))There is no edge. But, if there were, I suspect it would be nothing but an endless fudge brownie. :)
Since when does viasat charge $10 per gig? I have the unlimited data plan so I wouldn't pay for going over. I would just get deprioritized.
High latency of viasat is definitely a downside but much faster speed, but that doesn't really matter if I am lagging haha.
Would I be able to stream on fixed wireless though even though the max mbps is 6. That seems pretty low for both wanting to stream and game (wouldn't do streaming and gaming at the same time)
High latency of viasat is definitely a downside but much faster speed, but that doesn't really matter if I am lagging haha.
Would I be able to stream on fixed wireless though even though the max mbps is 6. That seems pretty low for both wanting to stream and game (wouldn't do streaming and gaming at the same time)
VeteranSatUser, Champion
You should be able to. You said you rely on internet for all your streaming needs? Viasat Internet is not intended for cord cutters. I would be very careful choosing Viasat if you think you are going to eat 150GB+/month.
They dont charge you $10 more/gig with an unlimited plan. Sone of the old legacy plans support "buy more data".
Also verify you are going to get 150GB of priority data on your plan. I was not aware Viasat offered any plan that still gives that much priority data.
They dont charge you $10 more/gig with an unlimited plan. Sone of the old legacy plans support "buy more data".
Also verify you are going to get 150GB of priority data on your plan. I was not aware Viasat offered any plan that still gives that much priority data.
My home cellular internet averages around 2.5 meg down. I can stream very good quality hd just fine. I tested using trials of the major services, plus I have Prime and had Hulu a couple months. I don't stream much, don't have time.
But I'm upgrading to Verizon's new pretty much actually unlimited prepaid jetpack plan that was launched last week. If it works as well as their prepaid on phones here (average 15 down at all times of day 10 miles from the tower). Activated on a jetpack, it's 1080p streaming currently, with no data threshold, other than prioritized behind postpaid (so, won't work great in a congested area).
But I'm upgrading to Verizon's new pretty much actually unlimited prepaid jetpack plan that was launched last week. If it works as well as their prepaid on phones here (average 15 down at all times of day 10 miles from the tower). Activated on a jetpack, it's 1080p streaming currently, with no data threshold, other than prioritized behind postpaid (so, won't work great in a congested area).
VeteranSatUser, Champion
You wont get HD on an unlimited Viasat plan unless you buy a Gold Plan, which typically is north of $150/month.
I question the plan prices the OP posted. Might want to double check them.
I question the plan prices the OP posted. Might want to double check them.
I used the first zip code I saw for Lodi, CA. Viasat lists 150GB and 1080p for $200. 35GB and 360p for $70.
(Edited)
GabeU, Champion
The only thing I've been able to find for the Platinum 100 plan is $150 for the first three months, then $200 thereafter. If the price listed by the OP is correct, that's one heck of a steal.
Got the $50 jetpack today. Second line so it's $45 per month ($5 off for auto pay, $20 for second line). Initial testing just before 7PM local, about 14 meg down, 4 up, 29ms pings. Fast.com said about 9 meg. That's with 3 bars showing on the device (didn't look at the dbm). Cell booster, gain not set very high (mine is an old adjustable model), 10 miles from the tower, through a thick grove of trees right by the house, zip code average about 3 people per square mile. I could point at the new tower, 13 miles away, but direct line of sight, average about 1 person per square mile there. I shut off the booster, put the device in a window with the 13 mile away tower visible, got about 9 meg down, pretty sure pulling off that tower and not the closer one, because signal was much lower before the new tower with other devices.
I have a VZ smart hub coming. Not a great device, but it's a router (possibly poor one), and has an ethernet port. So it would always be on which is better for home use. They are relatively cheap on eBay. Might work with this plan, might not, just thought I'd try it. "They" say it should work.
I have a VZ smart hub coming. Not a great device, but it's a router (possibly poor one), and has an ethernet port. So it would always be on which is better for home use. They are relatively cheap on eBay. Might work with this plan, might not, just thought I'd try it. "They" say it should work.
One last update, Smart Hub set up, might tweak the antenna a bit, had it optimized for the regional carrier. HD works great. 8:30 pm..., https://www.speedtest.net/android/443...
Bev, Champion
Yes. I rely on streaming for everything. Netflix, Hulu,hbo, amazon prime, etc. I think I probably will chew up more than 150+ GB a month. Or at least I think so. My bro said him and his fiancé have used over 800GB per month for the last 3 months but they have 1 TB for data cap.
VeteransatUser: I will double check them in the morning but they said it was a deal going on. Could be true, but maybe not. I was surprised "the deal" was 100 mbps for that price I listed above. (50 first 3 months, then 70 thereafter)
Either way, I guess I am thinking that fixed wireless may be better for me then. Although it is more money for less mbps, it provides less latency, and a true unlimited data plan with no prioritization
VeteransatUser: I will double check them in the morning but they said it was a deal going on. Could be true, but maybe not. I was surprised "the deal" was 100 mbps for that price I listed above. (50 first 3 months, then 70 thereafter)
Either way, I guess I am thinking that fixed wireless may be better for me then. Although it is more money for less mbps, it provides less latency, and a true unlimited data plan with no prioritization
VeteranSatUser, Champion
Dont focus on the Mbps. If you get a constant 6Mbps truly unlimited with no latency, that should meet your needs fine.
Eating 800GB/month on Viasat? The system is not designed for individual customers to use that much.
Eating 800GB/month on Viasat? The system is not designed for individual customers to use that much.
Oh no, my brother doesn't have viasat. He has xfinity with a data cap at 1 TB. I don't know how much I'll use though but I would assume more than 150 GB
Do NOT go with Viasat if you rely on streaming. You WILL be very disappointed.
Where a true unlimited plan is important because we rely on streaming everything we watch. The fixed wireless plan also has 3 towers within like 5 miles from me so I'm sure connection will be consistent.
Barg_: I looked into the verizon jet pack plan, it looks great but they also said they don't provide service in the area. What a shock
Barg_: I looked into the verizon jet pack plan, it looks great but they also said they don't provide service in the area. What a shock
Possibly local variations like trees, terrain, buildings, but Verizon prepaid map shows very solid prepaid coverage over most of your area, solid well beyond other towns, except over in the mountains. I know maps don't tell the whole story. But your area is possibly congested though as dense as the population average is.
Viasat.com/internet , put in your zip code. Those are the plans in your area. I highly doubt 150GB at $70 (plus lease fee). Especially long term. If a dealer is saying that, I'd be skeptical. I'd also get it in signed writing. And I'd state it here again because I still would doubt it....
Viasat.com/internet , put in your zip code. Those are the plans in your area. I highly doubt 150GB at $70 (plus lease fee). Especially long term. If a dealer is saying that, I'd be skeptical. I'd also get it in signed writing. And I'd state it here again because I still would doubt it....
VeteranSatUser, Champion
Salespeople saying anything to get a sale? Say it ain't so!
Veteransat: you're absolutely right! People will say anything to get a sale and do whatever it takes. So I'll probably just call ViaSat back and cancel the order. With ViaSat, do you get locked into a super long contract as well?
Like if I were to go with Viasat, then 3 months down the line, I don't like the service/coverage, will they hit me with penalties and whatnot if I try to cancel?
Like if I were to go with Viasat, then 3 months down the line, I don't like the service/coverage, will they hit me with penalties and whatnot if I try to cancel?
Yes, the agreement is for a minimum two years. If you cancel prior to that there is a $15 early termination fee for each month remaining.
Apparently there is now a way to cancel without an early termination fee by prepaying up front for no long term contract service (see early termination fees):
https://help.viasat.com/articles/Denver_FAQ/Fees-and-instructions-for-returning-equipment-for-discon...
Regardless, be sure to read the customer agreement and unlimited data policy before install (you're not locked in until you accept the agreement at install time) over at:
https://www.exede.com/legal/
Apparently there is now a way to cancel without an early termination fee by prepaying up front for no long term contract service (see early termination fees):
https://help.viasat.com/articles/Denver_FAQ/Fees-and-instructions-for-returning-equipment-for-discon...
Regardless, be sure to read the customer agreement and unlimited data policy before install (you're not locked in until you accept the agreement at install time) over at:
https://www.exede.com/legal/
(Edited)
VeteranSatUser, Champion
This is the kind of potential customer that more people need to be. Instead of blindly signing up for it and then complaining bitterly that it didn't meet their expectations he is doing the legwork by asking questions beforehand to see whether or not it would meet his needs before he pulls the trigger. If more people were like him they would find out before they make a potentially costly mistake as to whether or not Satellite Internet is going to meet their needs.
Good on him!!
Good on him!!
Not alot of people would think to ask questions directly to other customers. And if you ask the questions to viasat customer service you never get the correct information.
VeteranSatUser, Champion
Agreed. Best to ask people that use the service everyday versus talking to people who never used the service.
Thanks Hf Comms and thank you to everyone else for your knowledge and input.
Barg, Bev, VeteranSat: you guys were right, I called back and there was a whole miscommunication between the 2 reps I spoke with. I got an email saying that for that price in my area I would get the bronze package. I knew the deal sounded too goo to be true. I cancelled the installation appointment and am going with fixed wireless now. Im praying all goes well with that and have no issues there, so fingers crossed!
But thanks again for everyone's knowledge and input on my questions
Barg, Bev, VeteranSat: you guys were right, I called back and there was a whole miscommunication between the 2 reps I spoke with. I got an email saying that for that price in my area I would get the bronze package. I knew the deal sounded too goo to be true. I cancelled the installation appointment and am going with fixed wireless now. Im praying all goes well with that and have no issues there, so fingers crossed!
But thanks again for everyone's knowledge and input on my questions
VeteranSatUser, Champion
Yea. Given your usage parameters, I wouldn't think you would be happy with the Bronze plan at all. Bad video resolution, low amount of priority data. I think you made a good decision.
Hopefully they are a good carrier. If you get half that speed most HD should work just fine. It's so much nicer not thinking about caps and thresholds.
VeteranSatUser, Champion
And low latency for game play!