All right, hang on just stop for a second.
Don't go to the comments section just yet,
give me just a minute.
Know look, I've done a fair few reviews
of satellite internet in the past,
and I know you're probably frustrated
because satellite internet has a pretty bad reputation
when it comes to it's speed and reliability
compared to other types internet connection.
Now some of that is no doubt deserved.
Some of it maybe less so.
But there are things you can do
to make sure you're set up to squeeze
as much speed and reliability out of your connection
as you possibly can.
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And that's what we'll go over today.
So, let's dive in.
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Now then, a few tips to deal with satellite internet speeds.
First of all, there may be some alternatives.
So double check that there isn't a DSL
or cable line near-by for you to tap into.
Now I know, you've probably already checked this.
You probably already know if it's there.
But it's worth a look just to see if another line
has come in since then.
If you want to know for sure,
use the zip code finder over at Reviews.org
and we can double check for you of what's available
in your area.
And there are even some alternatives,
depending on your location,
you could be using 4G, mobile hotspotting,
that sort of thing.
Next up, use Viasat instead of HughesNet or vice versa.
Now this isn't going to be a review
so I'm not going in to details on each one,
but in a nut shell, Viasat offers higher speeds
at higher prices,
and HughesNet's advertised speeds
are slower but it costs less.
Now as far as performance,
your mileage may vary, it will vary,
usually based on your location.
But generally HughesNet gets high marks from the FCC
on delivering the speeds they promise.
Although that FCC report was all the way back from 2017.
But anyway, Viasat did okay in that same report
and these days we prefer their plans
and pricing over HughesNet's.
But if one isn't working,
and your close to the end of your contract,
maybe look into switching.
Second, optimize your your router placement.
Either choose a central location
or find one close to where the most devices are.
For example, at my house we spend more time upstairs,
but we do more intensive streaming downstairs
where we have the TV, the PC, etcetera.
You can also look into using a mesh Wi-Fi system
but be aware that it might not work as well
as advertised on a satellite connection.
Next up, you can get your own router.
Now I know that these companies make you pay
for the equipment lease regardless,
it is built into that.
But that doesn't mean
you have to use the router they sent.
So you can look into some other premium router
that may get you a little bit better performance
out of your connection than the one they sent.
Just make sure it is compatible,
and keep your receipt just in case it doesn't work
and you need to send it back and try a different one.
Next up, use Ethernet whenever possible.
Wi-Fi these days is pretty good
but it's never going to be as reliable as hard-wiring
your connection even with a really strong,
really fast connection your signal will lose some strength
going through walls and over any distance.
So if you're working with a max speed
of say 25 megabits per second to the router,
you're going to lose of that just by nature
of how wireless signals work,
and we all know that you're probably not getting
that 25 megabits per second
so you're gonna be working down even lower.
Ultimately, it's about having patients.
The reliability issue that's such a common complaint
with satellite internet
is a product of the technology itself.
Yes, there are legitimate criticisms and complaints
to make about customer service
or plan structures or whatever.
But when it comes to the speeds you're getting,
I hate to be the guy consistently
doing the devils advocate thing
but there may be nothing more that you, or Viasat
or HughesNet can really do about it.
The good news is that there is light
at the end of the tunnel for satellite internet users.
Amazon has applied for FCC approval
to send thousands of satellites into lower earth orbit
to provide more universal high speed coverage.
Now that could be a few year out.
But SpaceX has a similar plan
and they've already started launching
their own satellites
and OneWeb is estimated to be available as soon as 2021.
So fingers crossed,
maybe satellite internet as a concept
and as a reality will start to improve soon.
For now though, hang in there.
Try a few tricks to squeeze as much speed
and reliability out of your connection as you can.
Switch providers if you need to.
Get your own router,
put it in the best place possible and if you can,
wire your devices with Ethernet
instead of relying on Wi-Fi.
So if you have any tips and tricks to share that I missed,
hit up the comments below,
dispense some wisdom, let us know.
Give this video a like and subscribe
if it was helpful to you cause' we'll have more content
just like this coming your way.
Thanks for watching everybody.