If fiber and cable don't reach you, satellite internet can connect almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky. For rural and remote households, it's frequently the most practical way to get online.
How It Works
A dish at your home communicates with satellites overhead. Newer low-earth-orbit (LEO) services orbit much closer than traditional satellites, which significantly improves speed and latency compared with older systems.
The Trade-Offs
- Latency — higher than wired connections, though LEO services have narrowed the gap.
- Data — some plans have data thresholds that slow speeds after a cap.
- Weather — heavy storms can briefly affect the signal.
- Equipment — there's usually upfront hardware to install.
See satellite internet options for your location:
Explore Satellite InternetWho It's Best For
Satellite shines where wired broadband simply isn't available. If you can get fiber, cable, or strong 5G home internet, those are usually faster and cheaper — but satellite fills a vital gap for everyone else.