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Satellite internet services
in the UK, EU & US
Satellite broadband services can provide internet connections in regions that struggle with fixed cable & fibre and wireless 4G/5G broadband reliability. This guide looks at satellite internet providers, satellite internet costs, satellite broadband speeds and limitations, decide whether a satellite internet connection is suitable for your home or business.
What is satellite broadband and is it viable?
Satellite internet works in the same way as internet via fixed lines by enabling a wireless data connection to facilitate data downloads and transmissions. Satellite internet services can provide an alternative way to get fast broadband when you have run out of other options.
Modern satellite internet services offer affordable, easy to install broadband connections in most locations where a satellite link can be maintained. Satellite broadband is growing in popularity, especially in homes and businesses that require a fast internet connections where conventional internet connections are unavailable or unreliable.
– Satellite broadband services are often able to provide faster speeds and better reliability in the most rural & remote locations.
– Satellite internet used to be much more expensive compared with conventional internet services. Improved technology and expanded satellite networks have allowed satellite internet services to complete head to head on price.
– Satellite internet services used to have restrictive data limits, today most satellite broadband services offer unlimited monthly data plans.
BRDY & Starlink services both offer ‘unlimited data’ plans. BRDY our best buy satellite internet provider offers unlimited data plans starting from less than £30 per month.
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Compare satellite broadband deals
The two leading global satellite internet services are Starlink and BRDY both offer satellite broadband connections to customers in the UK, EU, US and elsewhere. Other satellite internet services include: Konnect, Broadband Wherever, Freedomsat, NotSpot Broadband, Relialink, Prime Satellite Broadband.
BRDY Satellite Internet
– From £29.90 / €29.90 month (unlimited use)
– One-off equipment cost £150 / €150 (approximate)
– 50Mb / 100Mb download speeds available
– Superfast satellite internet in the UK, EU
BRDY is revolutionising satellite broadband connectivity & providing super-fast internet to homes and businesses across the UK and Europe where fast broadband via a landline, fibre or 4G/5G is unavailable.
BRDY offers unlimited data plans – speeds up to 50 and 100 Mbps (30 day no-risk monthly rolling plans, or discounted 12 month contracts available).
Starlink Satellite Internet
– From £75 / €65 month (unlimited use)
– One-off equipment cost £449 / €300
– up to 200Mb download speed
– Superfast internet in any location
Starlink a brand of SpaceX, provides satellite internet via a network of low orbit satellites in the UK, Europe, the Americas, Africa & Oceana where fast broadband via a landline or fibre is unavailable.
Starlink offers a genuine unlimited data plan and most subscribers are able to self install.
WE Konnect Satellite Internet
– From £37.90 / €29.99 month
– up to 75Mb download speed
– Superfast internet in any location
WE Konnect is part of the Eutelsat network and provides internet connections via satellite across Europe and Africa where fast broadband via a landline or fibre is unavailable.
Currently there is no unlimited data plan, monthly data plans Konnect Lite 75GB and 150GB for Konnect Plus
Freedomsat Satellite Internet
– From £25 / €30 month
– up to 25Mb download speed
– Superfast internet in any location
Freedomsat provides superfast satellite internet connections to homes and businesses across the UK & Europe where fast broadband via a landline or fibre is unavailable.
Currently there is no unlimited data plan, monthly data plans 10GB, 60GB (£75 / €90)) and 150GB. With free data between 1AM – 6AM.
How fast is satellite broadband?
Satellite broadband services offer minimum speeds starting around 25Mbps, rising to over 200Mbps for premium services. Starlink’s Priority service offers the fastest satellite broadband speeds up to 220Mbps. Satellite broadband speeds are likely to increase as technology and competition develops in the market.
New satellite internet services are soon to launch with OneWeb and Project Kuiper from Amazon’s Jeff Bezos. Both services are touting global satellite broadband services with even faster speeds.
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FAQ's Satellite Broadband
Are you thinking about getting satellite broadband? Check out some of the most frequently asked questions and answers about satellite internet services.
Satellite internet services can be accessed in most locations providing you have an unobstructed view of the sky.
- » Satellite broadband provides a great solution for homes and businesses that struggle with alternatives; landline, ADSL, fibre & mobile broadband services.
- » Satellite internet services are probably not viable if you live in a city with reliable & fast fibre or cable internet. In the countryside and places where fibre and cable is unavailable, satellite internet is often the fastest and most reliable way to get broadband.
Satellite internet services require extra equipment to get online (a dish/receiver). To get satellite internet, you’ll need to:
- 1. Select and sign up with a satellite broadband provider.
- 2. Install a satellite internet dish/receiver and compatible modem or router.
You may need to initially pay for professional installation of some services. However most people with good DIY skills should be able to self-install equipment and get online in a couple of hours.
The cost of satellite internet services has fallen in the last few years, you can now get satellite internet from £30 / €30 / $40 per month.
Many satellite broadband services now offer unlimited data, subject to fair usage policies. You can usually choose from a number of speeds but expect to pay more for the faster speeds.
Yes, most satellite broadband plans are now fast enough to stream video and HD content without any quality or viewing issues. Video streaming & online gaming uses a lot of data, so beware of satellite internet plans with data limits or capped data.
Many satellite internet providers also limit the amount of full-speed data you get every month, so make sure you check out the full limitations of a satellite internet service before signing up.
Satellite services can have a slightly longer lag in terms of live streaming so beware of this if you need to do video meetings using services like Teams or Zoom.
Yes, most of the time, however it is important to understand satellite signals can be impacted on by poor wether conditions. Heavy rain, snow and storms can reduce satellite signals impacting on service even knocking it out in extreme weather.
Satellite internet services have also been known to experience bandwidth issues in the past. This is where service quality can be impacted on due congestion during times of peak activity/use. Most satellite broadband services have managed to iron out bandwidth issues with more satellites and improved technology.
Best alternatives to satellite broadband
If you live in a ‘broadband connected area’ you can probably get fast enough internet via fibre, cable or ADSL services available. See what broadband deals are available in your postcode – Compare UK broadband prices where you live.
If you know fixed line broadband is unsuitable where you live, you can consider beamed broadband services or mobile broadband via 4G & 5G mobile connections.
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