The Challenges of Geostationary Satellite Internet
Satellite internet has become a vital option for people in rural and remote areas where traditional broadband is unavailable. Two major providers, HughesNet and Viasat, have long served these regions using geostationary (GEO) satellites. These satellites orbit about 22,000 miles above Earth, offering wide coverage but facing significant performance hurdles. In contrast, Starlink, a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite provider operated by SpaceX, has disrupted the market with faster speeds and lower latency, putting pressure on GEO providers. This article explores the performance gaps between HughesNet, Viasat, and Starlink as of early 2025, based on recent data published by OOKLA.
Latency: A Persistent Weakness for GEO Satellites
Latency, the time it takes for data to travel from a user to a server and back, is a key factor in internet performance. High latency can make activities like video calls, gaming, or even web browsing feel sluggish. For GEO satellite providers, latency is a major challenge due to the long distance signals must travel.
In the first quarter of 2025, HughesNet’s median latency improved to 683 milliseconds (ms), down from 1019 ms in early 2022. This progress came after the launch of Jupiter 3, a high-capacity satellite introduced in July 2023, which boosted the company’s network. Viasat’s median latency, however, remained nearly unchanged, moving from 676 ms in 2022 to 684 ms in 2025. Meanwhile, Starlink’s LEO satellites, orbiting just 340 miles above Earth, delivered a median latency of 45 ms in 2025—a fraction of its competitors’ figures. This stark difference makes Starlink far more responsive for real-time applications.
Download Speeds: Progress, but Not Enough
Download speed determines how quickly users can stream videos, download files, or load websites. Both HughesNet and Viasat have made strides in this area, but they still lag behind Starlink.
HughesNet more than doubled its median download speed from 20.87 Mbps in early 2022 to 47.79 Mbps in early 2025. Viasat also improved, increasing from 25.18 Mbps to 49.12 Mbps over the same period. These gains reflect efforts to upgrade their networks. For instance, HughesNet uses a dedicated fiber backbone and artificial intelligence to manage network traffic, while Viasat employs spot beam technology to optimize bandwidth in specific areas.
However, Starlink’s median download speed reached 104.71 Mbps in 2025, nearly double that of its GEO competitors. For top-performing users (the 75th percentile), the gap is even wider. HughesNet’s top users saw speeds of 95.97 Mbps, and Viasat’s reached 78.55 Mbps, but Starlink’s top users enjoyed 161.42 Mbps. These differences highlight Starlink’s ability to handle growing demand as it expands its satellite constellation.
The following table summarizes median download speeds for the three providers:
| Provider | Q1 2022 (Mbps) | Q1 2025 (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|
| HughesNet | 20.87 | 47.79 |
| Viasat | 25.18 | 49.12 |
| Starlink | 53.95 (Q3 2022) | 104.71 |
Upload Speeds: A Mixed Picture
Upload speeds, which affect tasks like sending emails or uploading videos, are another area where GEO providers struggle. HughesNet improved its median upload speed from 2.87 Mbps in 2022 to 4.44 Mbps in 2025. Viasat, however, saw a decline, dropping from 3.06 Mbps to 1.08 Mbps over the same period. This decrease may stem from an issue with Viasat-3, launched in May 2023, which suffered an antenna deployment problem that reduced its capacity. As a result, Viasat relied on older satellites, impacting performance.
Starlink, by contrast, increased its median upload speed from 9.81 Mbps in 2022 to 14.84 Mbps in 2025. Even at the 75th percentile, Starlink’s upload speeds far outpaced its competitors, reaching 20.08 Mbps compared to HughesNet’s 7.23 Mbps and Viasat’s 4.46 Mbps.
The following table compares median upload speeds:
| Provider | Q1 2022 (Mbps) | Q1 2025 (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|
| HughesNet | 2.87 | 4.44 |
| Viasat | 3.06 | 1.08 |
| Starlink | 9.81 | 14.84 |
Subscriber Losses: A Growing Concern
The performance gaps have taken a toll on HughesNet and Viasat’s subscriber numbers. HughesNet’s customer base fell from 1.22 million in 2022 to 853,000 in early 2025. Viasat’s decline was even steeper, dropping from 590,000 in early 2021 to 189,000 in 2025. Starlink’s aggressive pricing, including free equipment offers in some states, has drawn customers away from GEO providers. Despite efforts to lower prices and highlight customer service, HughesNet and Viasat are losing ground.
The following table shows subscriber changes:
| Provider | 2022/2021 | Q1 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| HughesNet | 1,220,000 | 853,000 |
| Viasat | 590,000 | 189,000 |
Regional Performance: Bright Spots and Weak Points
Performance varies across states. HughesNet users in Maryland enjoyed median download speeds of 98.03 Mbps and upload speeds of 8.73 Mbps in 2025, likely due to the company’s headquarters in Bethesda and contracts with federal agencies. Nebraska users also saw strong results, with download speeds of 77.11 Mbps, possibly boosted by HughesNet Fusion, a hybrid service combining satellite and fixed wireless. Viasat users in Hawaii achieved download speeds of 77.24 Mbps, a significant jump from 18.03 Mbps in 2022.
On the other hand, Viasat users in Mississippi faced the slowest speeds at 27.85 Mbps, and HughesNet users in New Jersey averaged just 35.56 Mbps, the lowest for HughesNet nationwide.
Innovations and Future Plans
HughesNet and Viasat are working to close the gap. HughesNet’s Jupiter 3 satellite has already improved speeds and capacity, and its Fusion service shows promise in select areas. Viasat, despite setbacks with Viasat-3, plans to launch additional satellites in 2025 and 2026 to expand coverage. Its acquisition of Inmarsat in 2023 added satellites for maritime and mission-critical uses, though these haven’t yet impacted consumer broadband performance.
Summary
HughesNet and Viasat have made progress in download and upload speeds, with HughesNet benefiting from its Jupiter 3 satellite and Viasat upgrading its network. However, their high latency and slower speeds compared to Starlink make it hard to compete, especially as Starlink continues to grow its LEO constellation. Subscriber losses reflect these challenges, though both companies remain vital for areas with limited connectivity options. As they roll out new satellites and technologies, HughesNet and Viasat will need to innovate further to stay competitive in the evolving satellite internet market.
