Viasat Internet for Seniors: Reviews and Prices
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March 16, 2025
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As of 2024, 90 percent of U.S. adults 65 and older told the Pew Research Center that they use the internet. But if you live in a place with no broadband or fiber internet access, you may be part of this 10 percent unwillingly. However, satellite might be an option to get you online, especially if you live in a remote or rural area. The latest U.S. Census data from 2023 shows that 7 percent — over 8 million — of U.S. households have satellite internet.
Viasat offers high-speed satellite home internet plans for seniors, veterans, and low-income families in rural areas where internet connection is limited. Although Viasat doesn’t offer a specific plan or discount for seniors, it’s still a great option for older adults who want access to basic internet features such as email, web browsing, and some streaming.
Unlike other providers that quickly increase their prices, Viasat provides unlimited data service plans at the price you signed up for for one year with the annual plan. But with monthly fees starting at $109.99 per month with the annual plan, Viasat still might be too expensive for many people.
Viasat Pros and Cons
Viasat Pros
- Vast satellite coverage: Viasat provides satellite coverage in all 50 states, making the provider a great option for those in rural locations.
- Unlimited data plans: Viasat offers several unlimited data plans with no data limit or hard caps on usage, meaning you won’t be charged for going over the monthly allowance.
- One-year price lock: Signing up for a year means you pay a lower rate for the first 12 months, guaranteed.
- Professional installation: Satellite internet is not easy to set up, so Viasat offers professional installation, which might be free in some cases.
- Phone and internet bundles: If you want to bundle your internet and phone, Viasat offers landline phones that use your internet connection and have battery backup for power outages.
Viasat Cons
- Data throttling: Although Viasat offers high-speed internet with (technically) unlimited data, you may experience slower speeds once you’ve reached your data allowance. For instance, if you’re using the internet during a busy time, you may notice your speeds have slowed.
- Early termination fees: The disadvantage of the annual option is that if you cancel before the 12 months are over, you’ll have to pay $15 for each remaining month.
- Expensive: Viasat’s lowest monthly price is $109.99 per month, and that’s only if you sign up for 12 months. The monthly contract is $119.99, which is much higher than other satellite companies, such as Hughesnet.
Pro Tip: Looking for a new cable TV provider? Read my article, Best Cable Companies for Seniors, to find the best affordable plans with no contracts and additional features.
Need Faster Speeds?
While Viasat's satellite internet is available nationwide, its speeds can't hold a candle to our favorite broadband and 5G providers. If you want internet with faster speeds at more affordable prices, then we'd recommend checking out one of our top-rated providers.
Viasat Internet Plans and Pricing
Viasat offers two plans for satellite internet. The only differences between the plans are their contract lengths and costs. You’ll save the most by choosing an annual contract, but after the first year, it’ll cost the same as the monthly option, $119.99 per month. Of course, with the annual contract, your rates are locked for a year, while the monthly option can increase at any time. On the other hand, with the monthly option, you won’t have to worry about paying an early termination fee if you cancel.
| Viasat Plan | Monthly Price | Download Speeds | High-Speed Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $119.99 | 59 Mbps | Data may be slowed during congested times. |
| Annual |
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59 Mbps | Data may be slowed during congested times. |
What Are Viasat High-Speed Limits?
All of Viasat’s plans offer unlimited data, but if a lot of people are using Viasat internet in your area at a specific time, your service might be slower temporarily.
Pro Tip: Looking for affordable internet service? Check out my guide to senior discounts on the internet.
Which Viasat Plan Is Best for Seniors?
While there is no explicit senior discount with Viasat, you can speak with customer service to check for promotions or other deals. Sometimes, they are willing to make special offers to those of a certain age.
With that said, I would recommend the annual plan, as it is the most affordable for the first 12 months. Beyond the first 12 months, the plans are identical.
How to Purchase Viasat
The best way to purchase Viasat high-speed internet is through the company’s website, where you can check internet plan availability in your area. Simply enter your home address to find the plans offered where you live. If you prefer speaking to someone, you can call the company directly at 866-359-0491.
Once you select your plan you’ll fill in your contact information and your service, billing, and shipping addresses. You’ll also choose one of two options: paying a $250 lifetime lease fee or a $15 monthly lease fee. Next, you’ll enter your date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number so the company can check your credit (which won’t affect your credit score). When we ordered our internet, we were not charged an installation fee, although it can be as high as $500, depending on where you live. Finally, you’ll pick an installation date, enter your billing information, and make the purchase. The first payment will be between your installation date and your first billing cycle.
Viasat Installation
Viasat provided excellent customer service when they set up my satellite internet. They dispatched a certified technician who conducted a site survey and worked with me to discuss where the satellite should be installed. I requested to have it installed on the side of the roof, so the technician got to work and handled all the necessary cables and wires.
Overall, the entire installation process only took about two hours. They also performed other necessary configurations and helped address any additional questions I had about high-speed internet. Additionally, they helped me activate My Viasat account before signing an electronic customer agreement.
Pro Tip: Shopping for a new internet provider? Learn why CenturyLink internet for seniors might be a good choice for those who want an affordable, reliable, and fast browsing experience.
Viasat Internet Equipment
Viasat internet requires a Viasat satellite dish, transceiver and bracket assembly, and a Viasat internet modem. The equipment must be installed by a trained Viasat technician, and cannot be self-installed. In terms of equipment for use inside the home, a technician will install a new Wi-Fi Gateway that communicates with outside equipment and your home Wi-Fi network. The Viasat internet Wi-Fi Gateway consists of the modem, wireless router, and VoIP phone adapter.
Viasat offers a warranty on equipment and will replace defective equipment within the first 90 days of service. If you’re looking for additional services in tandem with your internet, Viasat also sells three additional services:
- Viasat Voice: Viasat Voice is a landline that uses your internet connection, allowing you to call all 50 states plus Canada. It costs $35 per month on its own, but if you bundle it with an internet plan, you’ll pay $25 for the first three months.
- Viasat Shield: This internet security service works by monitoring and blocking suspicious online activity and protecting your devices from cyberattacks for an extra $8.99 per month.
- EasyCare: For customers who want additional customer support assistance, you can purchase EasyCare for $9.99 per month.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for affordable phone service, look no further than a good old-fashioned landline. To learn more, read my picks for the best landline service.
Viasat vs. Hughesnet
The two leading providers of satellite internet, Viasat and Hughesnet, differ greatly in terms of cost and speed. To put it bluntly, any plan with Hughesnet is both more affordable and cheaper than Viasat. Take each provider’s starting package, for instance: With Viasat, speeds up to 59 Mbps start at $109.99 per month. With Hughesnet, speeds up to 60 Mbps costs $49.99 a month, less than half of the price. Even Hughesnet’s most expensive plan, which has speeds twice as fast as Viasat, costs less at $94.99 a month. The advantage of Viasat is the fact that they offer month-to-month contracts, while Hughesnet requires a two-year commitment. Viasat also has lower fees if you purchase your equipment.
| Viasat | Hughesnet | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $109.99 per month | $49.99 per month |
| Price Hikes |
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After first 12 months |
| Throttles Data | Yes, during hours of congestion | After 100 GB to 200 GB |
| Connection Type | Satellite | Satellite/wireless |
| Minimum Contract | Monthly | 24 months |
| Fastest Download Speeds | 59 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Cost of Equipment |
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Bottom Line
Although satellite dishes on people’s houses may seem antiquated, the truth is, satellite internet is a burgeoning industry, one projected to grow by 34 percent from 2023 to 2028, according to Markets and Markets. Viasat provides fast internet speeds in places where the internet is not as easily accessible. However, their prices and speeds don’t compare with other satellite providers like Hughesnet and Starlink. I would only recommend Viasat to someone with no other cheaper, faster options.
To learn more, be sure to read my picks for this year’s best internet for seniors and affordable internet for seniors. Additionally, you can take a look at my hands-on reviews of different providers:
Viasat Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does Viasat internet cost?
Viasat internet costs either $109.99 for the first year if you commit to a year-long contract, and $119.99 for every month after that. Or, you can go with a monthly contract, but the price will be $119.99 and may go up after the month is over.
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Is Viasat good for Netflix?
Yes, Viasat is good for streaming Netflix. Streaming video only requires download speeds of 3 Mbps to 25 Mbps, and Viasat goes up to 59 Mbps, meaning you can stream in SD, HD, and Ultra HD 4K.
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Does Viasat have Wi-Fi?
Yes, Viasat internet comes with a Viasat modem or built-in Wi-Fi.
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Is Viasat internet truly unlimited?
Yes, Viasat internet is truly unlimited when it comes to the amount of data you can use per month. However, if you are using the internet in times of congestion, you may experience slightly slower speeds.
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How much does it cost to cancel Viasat internet?
If you cancel Viasat internet before the end of your 12-month service agreement, you might be charged early termination fees starting at $15 for each month remaining in the contract. However, if you have a monthly plan, there are no early termination fees.