Viasat vs WOW! Internet: Satellite or Cable and Fiber for Your Home?

If WOW! cable or fiber reaches your address, it is usually the better pick: faster plans, much lower latency and advertised plans starting at $30 a month as of October 24, 2026, subject to address availability. Viasat makes sense where WOW!’s lines stop, which is common just outside the towns WOW! serves in the Midwest and Southeast. Eligible Viasat orders through RSINC carry a minimum of 80 Mbps download and 3–5 Mbps upload; confirm terms for your address. That steady floor covers streaming, schoolwork and video calls for most homes.

Viasat vs WOW! at a glance (October 2026)

	Viasat	WOW!
Connection	Satellite	Cable, with fiber in some areas
Availability	Nearly nationwide with a clear view of the southern sky	Only where WOW! has built lines, in parts of the Midwest and Southeast
Speed	Guaranteed at least 80 Mbps down and 3–5 Mbps up through RSINC	Plans up to gigabit speeds in many areas
Latency	High (geostationary satellites)	Low
Price	Varies by address; check your ZIP	Plans start at $30/mo; Price Lock for Life is $5/mo extra on eligible fiber plans
Contract	Depends on plan and offer	No annual contract
Best for	Homes WOW! does not reach	Anyone inside WOW!’s footprint

Speed and upload

WOW!’s cable and fiber network supports far more speed than satellite, and its fiber plans offer much faster uploads for video calls, cloud backups and posting video. Viasat’s strength is reach and consistency rather than top speed: RSINC customers get a guaranteed minimum of 80 Mbps down and 3–5 Mbps up, subject to the terms confirmed for the address.

Latency

Viasat’s satellites orbit about 22,000 miles up, so every request makes a long round trip. Browsing and streaming feel normal, but competitive online games and some live video apps notice the delay. WOW! latency is low, though home Wi-Fi problems can still cause lag; our guide to high latency on WOW! covers the fixes.

Price and price locks

WOW! said its plans started at $30 a month in October 2026, with no annual contracts and a WiFi modem included. On eligible WOW! fiber plans (Fiber 500 and higher), Price Lock for Life adds $5 a month and locks the base internet rate while the qualifying plan remains active; check the current terms for your address. Viasat pricing depends on your address and current offer, so check your ZIP for exact plans. Taxes and fees are extra for both.

Equipment and installation

WOW! offers a self-install option where eligible, but currently lists a $10 activation fee, and you can use your own compatible modem; see our list of modems and routers for WOW!. Viasat needs a professional installer to mount a dish with a clear view of the southern sky, and requires compatible equipment. Our explainer on how Viasat works covers the setup.

If WOW! does not reach your home

For rural homes without wired options, the three satellite choices are Starlink, Viasat and Hughesnet. Starlink’s U.S. residential plans were listed at $55 (100 Mbps), $85 (200 Mbps) and $130 (Max) a month in October 2026 in select areas. Eligible customers who order Viasat through RSINC are guaranteed at least 80 Mbps download and 3–5 Mbps upload; confirm the plan's terms at your address. Hughesnet is another option where service is offered and a clear view of the southern sky is available.

For more choices outside cable areas, see our rural internet options guide or compare Viasat vs Xfinity if Xfinity is your local cable company instead.