Viasat vs. WOW Internet Providers Compared

Viasat is one of the major U.S. satellite internet providers, competing primarily with HughesNet and Starlink [1]. The company's defining advantage is near-universal availability—if you have an unobstructed view of the southern sky, you can access Viasat service regardless of location [2]. This makes satellite internet essential for rural and remote areas where cable, fiber internet, and even DSL infrastructure doesn't reach.

In March 2024, Viasat simplified its residential offerings by introducing Viasat Unleashed, a single-plan structure now available to 93% of customers [3]. This plan eliminates the confusing tier system that previously characterized satellite internet pricing. Unleashed offers unlimited high-speed data without contracts, download speeds up to 150 Mbps in select markets, and month-to-month service flexibility [4][5]. For budget-conscious customers, Viasat Essentials provides a lower-cost alternative with speeds ranging from 12-50 Mbps [6].

Viasat's biggest story in years is unfolding right now. The ViaSat-3 F2 satellite, launched on November 13, 2025, has completed all major deployments, including its reflectors and boom, and is undergoing final in-orbit testing [7][8]. F2 will serve the Americas from an orbital slot at 79 degrees west, and Viasat expects it to enter commercial service this summer (2026) [9]. The payoff is enormous: this single satellite is designed to more than double the bandwidth capacity of Viasat's entire existing fleet, a jump that should relieve network congestion and lift real-world speeds for U.S. home internet customers [10].

Viasat also completed its three-satellite ViaSat-3 constellation on April 29, 2026, when a SpaceX Falcon Heavy launched ViaSat-3 F3 from Kennedy Space Center [11]. F3 will pour more than 1 terabit per second of capacity over the Asia-Pacific region, with service entry expected in August or September 2026 [8][12]. The constellation's first satellite, ViaSat-3 F1, entered service in 2024 at sharply reduced capacity after a 2023 antenna deployment failure, and it now supports aviation and government customers [9][13].

Satellite internet still carries inherent technological tradeoffs. Service costs more than cable or fiber, speeds trail wired alternatives, and latency runs significantly higher because signals must travel 22,000+ miles to geostationary satellites [14]. But for homes and businesses beyond the reach of wired broadband, Viasat provides essential connectivity for streaming, remote work, online education, and everyday digital life.

Viasat satellite internet covers all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and the company estimates that 99% of U.S. households can access its service [15][16]. Unlike cable or fiber providers that require physical infrastructure buildout, satellite internet's primary requirement is an unobstructed view of the southern sky. That makes Viasat a lifeline for mountain communities, farms, ranches, and sparsely populated regions, and a dependable backup connection for small businesses that need redundancy.

Geographic location still shapes the specific speeds and pricing on offer. The Unleashed plan tops out at 150 Mbps, but maximum speeds vary by area based on satellite coverage patterns and local demand [17]. Once ViaSat-3 F2 enters service, its dynamic beamforming technology can steer bandwidth to the highest-demand areas in real time, which should expand the number of markets where top speed tiers are available [10][18].

Viasat's two-plan structure keeps choices simple. Viasat Unleashed, the flagship, is $69.99 per month, but pricing may vary by location, with speeds up to 150 Mbps in select markets, no contract, and unlimited high-speed data. Customers trending past 850GB in a 30-day period may see reduced priority during congestion. Viasat Essentials serves budget shoppers with 50 Mbps speeds at a $39.99, a 12-month contract, and a $15 early termination fee per remaining month.

Viasat does not charge overage fees or hard-throttle heavy users; deprioritization applies only during congestion. “Free Zone” hours during off-peak times allow customers to schedule large downloads without counting against usage limits.

WOW’s prices are so low they’ll WOW you

If there’s any way that WOW! can claim to have truly earned its name, it’s with low pricing.

The first-tier plan will give you 300 Mbps download speed for only $25 a month. That's on the very low end of cable ISP pricing.

A lightning-fast, 5000 Mbps speed from WOW! will run you $185. This plan comes from their fiber internet offerings.

WOW! has no data caps, contracts, or hidden fees. Additionally, they offer a price lock, so your monthly rate won't go up as long as you stay with the same speed plan.

Viasat delivers service via geostationary satellites orbiting roughly 22,000 miles above the equator, and that physics defines both the strengths and the limits of the experience. Advertised speeds reach 150 Mbps on Unleashed in select markets, but real-world results vary widely by location and network load, and some customers report speeds far below the advertised maximum [17][20]. Upload speeds remain asymmetrical, typically 3 to 5 Mbps, which pinches video calls, cloud backups, and large-file sharing.

Latency remains the technology's toughest constraint. Viasat customers typically experience 600 to 700 milliseconds of round-trip delay, compared with 20 to 40 milliseconds on cable or fiber [14]. Competitive online gaming and snappy video conferencing remain weak spots. Weather adds another wrinkle: heavy rain or snow can cause a temporary “rain fade” until skies clear.

In 2026, the congestion side of the equation is about to change. ViaSat-3 F2's more than 1 terabit-per-second capacity, combined with dynamic beamforming that concentrates bandwidth where demand spikes, is designed to ease the slowdowns that frustrate customers during peak hours [10][18]. Capacity upgrades cannot fix latency, since the satellites remain in geostationary orbit, but they directly target the most common real-world complaint: speeds that are far below advertised rates when the network is busy. Shoppers weighing Viasat in mid-2026 are looking at the most promising stretch in the company's residential history [8].

Satellite service also offers a resilience edge that terrestrial networks cannot match. It keeps working through disasters that sever ground infrastructure, which is why emergency planners, military operations, and maritime users rely on the technology.

WOW! cable delivers gigabit downloads but asymmetrical upload speeds; fiber offers symmetrical multi-gigabit service

WOW's hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) cable network delivers download speeds comparable to those of national cable providers such as Spectrum and Xfinity. Upload speeds on cable plans are capped at 50 Mbps regardless of download tier. This asymmetrical speed structure is standard for cable internet technology and sufficient for typical household activities, including streaming multiple 4K devices and online gaming.

WOW's cable plans provide adequate performance for households with average internet usage patterns. The highest tier plan offers top speeds on cable, supporting simultaneous streaming, video conferencing, and gaming across multiple devices. However, the 50 Mbps upload limitation presents constraints for specific use cases. Users who regularly upload large files (such as video content creators), operate cloud-based backup systems, or require symmetrical bandwidth for enterprise-grade applications will experience performance bottlenecks with cable service.

In select Greenfield expansion markets, WOW offers all-fiber service with symmetrical speeds up to 5,000 Mbps for both downloads and uploads. Fiber service is currently available within 5.7% of WOW's total coverage footprint [8], concentrated in newer markets including Central Florida, Hernando County (Florida), Greenville County (South Carolina), and select areas in Michigan and Alabama [9]. The symmetrical nature of fiber service eliminates the upload speed constraints present in cable plans, making fiber suitable for bandwidth-intensive applications, heavy content creation, and households with 10+ simultaneous high-bandwidth users.

Viasat requires professional installation—customers cannot self-install the satellite dish and modem equipment. A certified technician visits the property to mount the dish, align it precisely with Viasat's satellites, run cabling into the home, and connect the WiFi modem.

Standard installation typically costs $99.99 as a one-time fee, though Viasat frequently waives this charge during promotional periods. The actual installation cost varies based on results from a soft credit check and the complexity of the installation site. Customers with qualifying credit may receive free installation, while non-standard installations requiring additional labor or materials may incur charges exceeding $100.

The installation appointment usually takes several hours. The technician must find an optimal location for the satellite dish that provides an unobstructed southern sky view, securely mount the dish, run coaxial cable from the dish to the modem location inside the home, install the modem, and conduct signal testing to ensure proper alignment. 

Viasat offers two payment structures for the required satellite dish and modem equipment. Customers can choose either a monthly lease at $15 per month or a one-time lifetime lease payment of $250. The lifetime lease option is basically a prepayment for equipment use as long as the customer maintains Viasat service—it is not a purchase, and equipment must still be returned if service is canceled.

Mathematically, the lifetime lease becomes cost-effective after approximately 17 months of service ($250 ÷ $15/month = 16.67 months). Customers planning to maintain Viasat service for multiple years save money with the upfront payment, while those uncertain about long-term commitment benefit from the monthly rental's flexibility.

When customers cancel Viasat service, they must return all company-owned equipment, including the modem. However, the satellite dish itself typically remains mounted on the property—Viasat does not send technicians to remove dishes, and customers who want removal face a fee or must arrange removal themselves. 

Failure to return the modem and other returnable equipment results in unreturned equipment fees added to the final bill. Viasat provides instructions and return shipping materials for equipment return.

Customers who move to a new address while maintaining Viasat service can have their dish relocated for a $200 fee. This requires a new technician visit to properly mount and align the dish at the new location. Alternatively, customers can cancel service at one address and establish new service at another address, though this involves separate installation processes and fees.

Optional protection plans: Viasat offers EasyCare service plans that cover technical support, service calls, and equipment protection. Multiple EasyCare tiers provide different levels of coverage, with promotional offers including the first three months free for EasyCare and EasyCare+, or reduced rates for EasyCare Premium during the first three months.

Equipment rental fees are optional, self-installation is free for WOW!

All WOW! plans come with a free self-installation kit. If, for any reason, you’re not comfortable with self-installation, you can get pro installation for $50.

WOW! now offers a free WiFi modem with your plan. You also have the option to supply your own equipment--just make sure you check with WOW! to be sure your router has compatible specs.

Customer sentiment splits along expectations. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rates Viasat in the “All Others” category at 64 out of 100, below the industry average of 70 but above the bottom tier [21]. Rural customers praise having broadband at all, and installation technicians earn consistent compliments for professionalism. Complaints cluster around speeds falling short of advertised maximums, latency that frustrates gamers, fast-depleting data thresholds in multi-user households, and billing disputes, including reports of charges continuing after cancellation [22][23][24].

Compared with its direct rivals, Viasat sits between HughesNet (slower, more restrictive) and Starlink (faster, lower-latency, pricier equipment). That competitive picture could tighten in Viasat's favor in the second half of 2026 as ViaSat-3 F2 capacity comes online, narrowing the everyday speed gap while preserving Viasat's price advantage on equipment [8][10].

Viasat does one job better than almost any other provider--connecting the 99% of U.S. households its network can reach, including millions with no wired alternative. The familiar caveats stand. Latency is high, weather can interrupt service, and advertised speeds are best-case figures. But the second half of 2026 is shaping up as a turning point. With ViaSat-3 F2 expected to enter service over the Americas this summer and ViaSat-3 F3 following over the Asia-Pacific region by early fall, Viasat's total network capacity is set to roughly triple compared to early 2025 levels [8][10][12]. If you live beyond the reach of cable and fiber, Viasat deserves a fresh look this summer.

WOW! maintains above-average customer satisfaction despite declining subscriber base

WOW scored 733 out of 1,000 in J.D. Power's North Central region study [10] and outperformed larger ISPs including Cox in the 2023 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study [11]. This positions WOW above the cable industry average of 68 out of 100 on the ACSI scale [12], though below top fiber providers like AT&T Fiber (80) and Verizon Fios (77) [13].

Despite these satisfaction ratings, WOW's subscriber base declined 5% year-over-year from 490,100 to 470,400 as of December 2024, with revenue decreasing 8.1% to $630.9 million. These declines reflect competitive pressure from expanding fiber networks and 5G wireless alternatives rather than service quality issues.

WOW provides 24/7 telephone support and online chat daily from 7:00 AM to 11:45 PM EST [14], plus an online account management portal, and has been named a "Best & Brightest Company to Work For in the Nation" 12 times, including 8 consecutive years as of 2025.

Ultimately, WOW's regional focus enables more personalized service than national cable giants.