Viasat Installation: What to Expect on Install Day
Updated
Viasat installation is done by a certified technician, usually within 3 to 5 days of your order, and the visit itself typically takes 2 to 3 hours. Standard professional installation is free (Viasat values it at $335), but a pole mount or other non-standard mount can cost extra, up to $75 for a pole mount. Every plan also carries a $15/mo equipment lease. The technician mounts a dish about 30 by 28 inches with a clear view of the southern sky, connects the Wi-Fi modem inside, and tests the service before leaving.
Once you are online, the speed you can count on is set. Customers who order Viasat through RSINC are guaranteed at least 80 Mbps download and 3–5 Mbps upload. Speeds run faster both ways for the first year on Viasat’s new satellite, and in our experience Unleashed usually runs around 180 Mbps. Below is what happens on install day, what it costs, and how to get ready so the technician can finish in one visit. For plan details beyond installation, see our Viasat provider page.
Viasat installation costs at a glance
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard professional installation | Free | Viasat lists it as a $335 value; covers wall, roof or standard pole mounting |
| Non-standard mount (pole mount example) | Up to $75 | Charged at installation if your home needs it; other non-standard options include non-penetrating roof and under-eave mounts |
| Equipment lease | $15/mo | Applies to every plan, on top of the plan price |
| Activation fee | May apply | Viasat says a one-time activation fee may be charged at the time of sale; ask before you order |
| Lifetime lease | One-time fee instead of the monthly lease | Not available on some plans; equipment still must be returned if you cancel |
| Self-installation | Not allowed | Viasat requires a trained technician to aim the dish |
Viasat installation details and fees from viasat.com as of October 12, 2026. Viasat’s billing help page says installation fees can vary by location and credit status, so confirm the amount on your order.
What it costs in the first year, with installation
Because standard installation is free, your first-year cost is mostly the plan plus the lease. Here is the math at today’s promotional prices, before taxes and Viasat’s monthly $3.49 administrative cost recovery fee.
| Plan | Plan price (months 1–12) | With $15 lease | First 12 months | Add pole mount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials | $39.99/mo | $54.99/mo | $659.88 | $734.88 |
| Unleashed | $69.99/mo | $84.99/mo | $1,019.88 | $1,094.88 |
| Unleashed Max | $109.99/mo | $124.99/mo | $1,499.88 | $1,574.88 |
Our calculation from viasat.com prices as of October 12, 2026. After month 12 the plans rise to $69.99, $99.99 and $179.99. The pole mount column assumes the $75 maximum Viasat quotes.
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How the install day goes, step by step
1. Scheduling
You pick an appointment when you order. Viasat says installs typically happen within 3 to 5 days. Someone 18 or older must be home for the whole visit.
2. The site survey
The technician walks the property to find a spot with a clear line of sight to the southern sky. Trees, a neighbor’s barn or a tall roofline to the south are the usual problems. Viasat’s satellites sit in a fixed spot about 22,000 miles above the equator, so the dish only needs one clear path, but that path cannot be blocked.
3. Mounting the dish
Standard options are the side of the house, the roof, or a 4-foot pole set in the ground near the home. If none of those give a clean signal, the tech may recommend a non-standard mount such as a non-penetrating roof mount or an under-eave mount, which can add a charge.
4. Running the cable and setting up the modem
A coaxial cable runs from the dish to a Viasat Wi-Fi modem inside. Viasat’s current modem has Wi-Fi 6 built in, so most homes do not need a separate router. Think about where you want the modem before the tech arrives: central and up off the floor works best.
5. Testing and activation
The technician aims the dish, activates service and checks that the connection works before closing the appointment. That is a good moment to run a speed test with the tech still there.
How to prepare
- Clear a path to where you think the dish should go, and trim low branches on the south side if you can.
- Check with your landlord or HOA. The FCC’s over-the-air reception devices rule generally protects satellite dishes, but Viasat asks you to confirm first.
- Decide where the modem goes and make sure there is an outlet nearby.
- Know where pipes and wires run in the wall you would prefer the cable to pass through.
- Ask whether your order includes an activation fee or a non-standard mount charge, so there are no surprises.
Which plan to install
| Plan | Price | Data | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials | $39.99/mo for 12 months, then $69.99 | 150 GB high-speed, then unlimited Standard Data | One or two light users |
| Unleashed | $69.99/mo for 12 months, then $99.99 | Unlimited high-speed data, no contract | Streaming households and remote work |
| Unleashed Max | $109.99/mo for 12 months, then $179.99 | Unlimited high-speed data with network priority, no contract | Busy homes that want the highest priority |
Prices from viasat.com as of October 12, 2026; $15/mo equipment lease extra. Viasat lists a 24-month minimum term on some plans and no contract on the Unleashed plans.
On every plan, orders placed through RSINC carry our guaranteed floor of at least 80 Mbps down and 3–5 Mbps up. Viasat notes that Essentials Standard Data and very heavy Unleashed use can get lower priority when the network is busy, so pick the plan that matches how much your household streams. Our guide to the 80 Mbps minimum explains the guarantee, and what ViaSat-3 F2 means for you covers the new satellite.
How Viasat installation compares with Starlink and Hughesnet
| Viasat | Starlink | Hughesnet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who installs | Certified technician only | Self-install kit; free professional install on the Residential 200 Mbps and Max plans | Professional installation |
| Starting price | $39.99/mo for 12 months | $55/mo (Residential 100 Mbps) | From $39.99/mo for 12 months |
| Dish needs | Clear view of the southern sky | Wide view of the open sky | Clear view of the southern sky |
Viasat from viasat.com as of October 12, 2026. Starlink from starlink.com and Hughesnet from hughesnet.com as of October 9, 2026. Prices vary by address.
If you are still choosing a provider, our Hughesnet vs Viasat vs Starlink comparison covers speed, latency and price side by side. You can also read about Starlink and Hughesnet on their provider pages.
After the technician leaves
Keep the lease in mind: the dish, transceiver and modem belong to Viasat and must go back if you cancel. Heavy snow or rain can briefly interrupt a satellite signal; our guide on protecting a satellite dish from rain has practical tips. If speeds ever drop well below the floor, restart the modem first, then call support.
Questions before install day?
Talk with us about plans, fees and timing for your address.