GEO Satellite
Viasat Speed Test
Viasat provides satellite internet from geostationary orbit, with plans that vary by location — typically 25 to 150 Mbps down. Like all GEO satellite service, latency runs 600 ms or more, so a Viasat speed test is best read as two separate stories: bandwidth (usable) and latency (fixed by physics).
What speeds should Viasat deliver?
Depending on your plan and the satellite beam serving your area, downloads range from 25 to 150 Mbps with uploads around 3–5 Mbps. Ping of 600+ ms is normal and unavoidable on GEO satellite.
Viasat plans include high-speed data allotments; exceeding them can mean deprioritized speeds during network congestion for the rest of the cycle — a common cause of late-month slowdowns.
Slow Viasat speeds? Try this first
- 1Compare tests early and late in your billing cycle to see whether data deprioritization explains slow periods.
- 2Heavy rain at your location or the ground station can temporarily cut speeds — retest after storms pass before troubleshooting.
- 3Keep the dish aligned and unobstructed; even minor misalignment after wind or roof work degrades throughput.
- 4If Starlink or any terrestrial ISP has reached your address, they will beat GEO satellite on both speed and latency.
Viasat speed test FAQ
What speeds does Viasat offer?
Viasat plans vary by address, typically offering 25–150 Mbps down and 3–5 Mbps up. Your exact ceiling depends on which satellite beam covers your area and the plan available there.
Why is Viasat latency so high?
Viasat's satellites are geostationary at ~22,000 miles, giving a minimum round trip of about 600 ms. It's a physical limit — fine for browsing and streaming, hard for gaming and real-time apps.
Does Viasat slow you down after a data limit?
Plans include high-speed data allotments; after exceeding them, traffic may be deprioritized during congestion, which feels like a slowdown at busy hours. Speeds recover when the billing cycle resets.