Viasat Internet for Seniors in 2025
Viasat provides older adults in rural areas with ways to connect with satellite internet, with speeds up to 150 Mbps.
How We Reviewed Viasat Internet for Seniors
Our team of tech experts thoroughly reviewed Viasat Home Internet, assessing their service, pricing, features and overall value. We used the criteria below for our review.
- Price and value: We assessed the affordability of Viasat home internet, considering installation costs, equipment fees, extra charges and cancellation fees. We explored bundling options, senior discounts and other promotions.
- Customer support: Navigating internet service can be confusing, and good customer support is important. We evaluated Viasat’s responsiveness, including the availability of live chat, ease of reaching an agent and the overall helpfulness of customer service.
- Performance: Reliable internet is essential for seamless connectivity. We reviewed Viasat’s internet speed, stability, performance, download speeds, streaming quality and network consistency.
- Coverage and flexibility: We looked at Viasat’s coverage where older adults may live, such as rural and suburban areas. Contract requirements were assessed, as were data limits, trial periods and the company’s policy on returns and cancellations, to determine the carrier’s flexibility.
Viasat provides older adults in rural areas with ways to connect with satellite internet, with speeds up to 150 Mbps.
Viasat is a great fit for rural Americans. Why? It beams your internet. Viasat brings reliable high-speed satellite internet to hard-to-reach rural or remote areas where cable and fiber companies can’t go. Satellite internet can reach anywhere, regardless of the infrastructure. And Viasat brings it all to customers in one neat package.
Our tech experts spent 50 hours researching and reviewing Viasat’s satellite plans and its usefulness for older adults, evaluating key factors such as speed, price, value, customer support and reliability. Let’s look at Viasat’s internet service, pricing and bundles.
Pros About Viasat
- Fast internet
- No data caps
- Rural coverage in all 50 states
- Voice calls
- No long-term contracts
- Live customer support
Cons About Viasat
- Satellite internet can be slower than cable or fiber optic
- It may slow down once you reach your data cap
- There are monthly equipment rental fees
FYI: Want to compare Viasat to other top internet providers? Check out our list of the best internet for seniors in 2025.
Does Viasat Internet Offer the Most Bang for Your Buck?
Viasat is a solid option for older adults living in rural areas or places with few internet options. Satellite internet tends to be on the pricier side, however. It also has slower speeds than fiber or cable. On the plus side, satellite internet is available almost anywhere, and it doesn’t require cables or phone lines. With only two plans, Viasat is pretty straightforward, and you don’t have to worry about contracts.
Viasat Internet Plan and Speeds at a Glance
Viasat offers only two internet plans. We wish they offered a bit more variety, but it makes choosing a plan simple.
| Plan | Price per month | Download speed | High-speed data limit | Equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viasat Unleashed | Starting at $99.99, but varies by location* | 25 to 150 Mbps (3 Mbps upload) | Unlimited data (under typical usage not exceeding 850 GB in a 30-day period) | $15 per month or $250 up front |
| Viasat Essentials | Starting at $49.99, but varies by location* | 25 to 150 Mbps (3 Mbps upload) | 150 GB of high-speed data, then unlimited standard data | $15 per month or $250 up front |
**Month-to-month service term can be canceled at any time without an early termination fee.
The Breakdown: Viasat Internet Plans for Seniors
Say you live somewhere off the beaten track and want to keep in touch with friends and family. Or maybe you want to binge-watch your favorite TV show for the third time. No one’s judging. No matter what you use the internet for, Viasat has a plan for you. And because Viasat is available pretty much everywhere — satellite internet reaches almost 100 percent of the U.S., according to the FCC — you’re most likely covered. Here’s a quick breakdown of Viasat’s plans.
Did You Know? If you ever used Exede satellite internet, you were actually using Viasat. Exede launched in 2012 in Carlsbad, California, and rebranded as Viasat in 2017.
Viasat Unleashed
Viasat’s Unleashed plan features unlimited data, fast and reliable internet, and built-in Wi-Fi. Best of all, there are no contracts. Instead you get month-to-month service with no long-term commitment, and you can cancel anytime without a penalty. Viasat Unleashed offers speeds from 25 to 150 Mbps starting at $99.99 per month, but prices vary widely depending upon your location. For comparison, the average internet plan costs around $63 per month.1
The Unleashed plan is best for older adults in rural or remote areas who need reliable internet but don’t want a hard data cap. Seniors who like to stream video, browse the web and video chat with friends and family will like the simplicity and flexibility of the plan.
Did You Know? Satellite internet service is available to all 127.3 million U.S. households, but only 2 million households were subscribed to satellite service at the end of 2023.2
The plan comes with unlimited data, but you should note that it is for typical usage not exceeding 850 GB in a 30-day period. Other senior-friendly internet providers may offer more data — Cox Communications’ internet plans, for example, which come with 1 TB of data per month — but they’re likely cable providers, not satellite. Many cable providers aren’t available in rural areas.
That means Viasat will slow your connection after 850 GB of data usage. But before you run out and tell everyone at happy hour what sneaks those satellite internet companies are, consider this: Viasat still lets you use data even after you’ve reached your cap. Some providers will completely cut you off after you hit your data limit, so this is a perk with Viasat. Also, 850 GB of data will be more than enough for the average household.
Viasat Essentials
Viasat Essentials is the company’s low-price plan at only $49.99 per month. It offers the same high-speed internet as the Unleashed plan; however, this has a hard data cap of 150 GB. After reaching that cap, you will be downgraded to unlimited standard data. For individuals with lighter data usage, this should hardly be an issue.
While Viasat does not advertise the speeds for standard data on its website, some slowdown will likely be noticeable. However, 150 GB is still a pretty generous amount. Individuals who only use the internet for casual browsing and not heavy streaming will likely not run into any issues.
Does Viasat Offer a Senior Internet Discount?
Unfortunately, Viasat offers no discounts for seniors. You may be eligible for free installation, however, depending on your financial situation. The best thing to do is ask a customer service representative if they’ve got any special discounts running when you sign up.
Money-Saving Tip: On a tight budget? Check out our top picks for the cheapest internet providers for seniors to see if any affordable plans are available in your area.
Viasat, for example, offers free satellite installation for subscribers living in certain areas of the U.S. It’s a promotion, so check with a customer service representative to see if you may be eligible.
Is Viasat Available in My Area?
Chances are, yes. Viasat covers most of the continental U.S., so you’re probably good to go. The only prerequisites for Viasat satellite installation are a south-facing view and a stationary abode. That excludes people traveling in camper vans and RVs. Apologies to those off the grid.
Even if Viasat covers your area, plans differ according to ZIP code. We can help you find the best Viasat options in your neck of the woods. Scroll back up and click the “See Pricing” button at the top of the page for more information.
Viasat Bundles to Get the Best Deal
Viasat Voice
Voice calls are not only practical (if you’re not into video), but they can also be a money-saver. Here’s why: Typically, 100 hours of internet voice chatting burns through 25 GB of data, but if you have Viasat Voice your voice time won’t count toward your data allowance. Viasat Voice isn’t technically bundled in, but you can add it to your Viasat plan and save $10 per month on your voice bill for the first three months of services, as long as you continue both services.
With Viasat Voice you get:
- Unlimited local and long-distance calls to all 50 states, plus Canada
- Great call quality and voicemail, call waiting, caller ID, call forwarding, call screening, do not disturb, simultaneous ring, and Find Me, Follow Me
- A more affordable service than traditional landline phone service
- The ability to transfer your current phone number (in most cases) or get a new number
- Not having to use your Viasat Internet plan’s data allowance
EasyCare
EasyCare gives Viasat Internet customers an extra level of service protection, assistance and support for $14.99 a month. You won’t pay anything for required service calls (normally $95 each) or annual dish relocation (normally $200), and they’ll move your Viasat dish to a different location at the same service address once a year for $95. Lastly, calls receive priority customer support. The monthly fee is waived for the first 90 days of internet service.
Alternatively, they just announced EasyCare Premium, which offers additional protection. The website advertises this service as “coming soon,” with no official launch date. Premium is priced at $24.99 per month, with the first three months only $9.99 per month.
How Does Viasat Compare to Other Internet Providers?
Compare notes with your city-dwelling friends with an unlimited Spectrum internet package or any of Comcast Xfinity’s blazing-fast plans. You’ll notice that satellite is generally more expensive. And you won’t get any TV channels bundled in with Viasat like you would with Spectrum or Xfinity.
But if you live in a harder-to-get-to place, cable internet might not be available. Beaming your internet into your living room has a price.
FYI: Starlink satellite internet service is available to 99.7 percent of U.S. homes, according to Federal Communication Commission data from June 2024. Starlink’s coverage beats all other internet providers, Viasat and Hughesnet included3
Hughesnet, a premium satellite internet provider and Viasat’s closest competitor, is a better comparison. Hughesnet’s plans range from $49.99 to $94.99 per month. The company’s Elite plan, which is best for active households with unlimited data, costs $64.99 for 12 months and gets you up to 100 Mbps and 200 GB of priority data.
If you order online, you can save an extra $50. But, unlike Viasat, Hughesnet requires a 24-month commitment and early service termination fees apply. Hughesnet is available in the contiguous United States, Puerto Rico and Alaska. The company also offers DISH TV, internet and home phone bundles. For more details, check our Hughesnet review.
The Bottom Line on Viasat
Satellite internet is more expensive than cable. And no, Viasat can’t offer the speed or data allowances of CenturyLink’s Fiber Gigabit plans. Viasat is a solid option, however, for people who live in rural areas or other places with limited provider options. Prices start at $49.99 per month (but vary based on location) and download speeds reach up to 150 Mbps.
Embrace all the fun stuff you’ll get to do with your new satellite internet! You can indulge in activities such as taking live ukulele classes beamed in from Austin, virtual family happy hours and even watching your favorite Netflix binge series.
Frequently Asked Questions About Viasat
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Does Viasat have equipment rental fees?
Yes, it does. You’ll pay $15 per month or $250 up-front.
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Does Viasat have an installation fee?
A one-time standard installation fee may be charged at the time of sale.
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Do Viasat plans come with unlimited data?
Only the Unleashed plan does, technically speaking. But once you reach your cap or data allowance, Viasat may slow down your connection, otherwise known as “throttling.”
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What’s the maximum speed I can get with my Viasat connection?
No, there are no contracts, but there is a month-to-month service term that can be canceled at any time without an early termination fee.
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Do I have to sign a contract with Viasat?
A two-year contract is the recommended option for Viasat. If you don’t want to subscribe for two years, you’ll need to pay Viasat a $500 fee upfront, which is nonrefundable and doesn’t offset any of your monthly fees.
- CNET. (2025). Yes, There Is Such a Thing as Too Fast.
- Benton Institute for Broadband and Society. (2025). More Than a Third of Americans Have Access to One or No Broadband Provider.
- FCC. (2024). National Broadband Map.
