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Posted on: 15 Jul 2024
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Viasat advertises “unlimited” satellite Internet plans, but it's essential to understand how data thresholds, prioritization, and usage policies apply. In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What exactly “data cap” means for Viasat users
- How Viasat’s various plans differ in data allowances
- The concept of high?speed priority data vs. standard/unlimited data
- Strategies to stay within high?speed thresholds
- What happens after you exceed thresholds (alerts, slowdowns, buying more data)
- Decision?making tips when choosing or upgrading plans
- Common FAQs with answers and structured schema
1. Viasat’s “Unlimited” Isn't Truly Unlimited
All Viasat residential plans are technically “unlimited” in that your Internet connection never fully stops. However, every plan includes a high?speed data allowance—sometimes called a “soft cap,” “priority data,” or “data threshold.” Once you exceed this, your data is downgraded to standard speeds during network congestion.
During non?peak times you may maintain speeds even beyond your allowance, but during peak hours (evenings, mornings), priority is given to users still within their high?speed allotment.
2. How Viasat Differentiates High?Speed and Standard Speeds
- High?speed (priority) data: Up to your plan limit, offering full advertised speeds.
- Standard data: Unlimited usage continues after your threshold is crossed, but speeds may slow significantly during congestion to protect network fairness.
3. Data Allowances by Plan
Viasat offers multiple plans with differing levels of priority data. A few examples:
- Unlimited Bronze 12: ~35?GB high-speed data
- Unlimited Silver: ~45?GB high-speed data
- Unlimited Gold: ~65?GB high-speed data
- Viasat Unleashed: ~850?GB high-speed data; prices start at ~$119.99/month; speeds from 25–150?Mbps depending on location.
These numbers may vary by location and plan specifics—always check your exact plan in My Viasat or your local provider.
4. What Happens When You Use Up Your High?Speed Data?
- Email alerts: Viasat sends notifications at 70%, 90%, and 100% of your threshold.
- Throttling: Your connection isn’t cut; it’s deprioritized during congestion, resulting in slower speeds for bandwidth-heavy activities such as HD streaming or gaming.
- Free Zone: Some plans include a 3–5?hour “Free Zone” each day when unlimited fast data resumes until the window closes.
- Cycle reset: At the start of your next billing cycle, high-speed data resets to full allotment.
5. Why Viasat Has Data Thresholds
The Data Allowance Policy ensures fair use across its shared satellite network: heavy users are limited to protect overall performance. This is industry-standard among satellite providers and similar to soft caps on cable modem vs mobile data.
6. Comparing Viasat to Competitors
Other satellite providers also use priority data: HughesNet caps at 200?GB, then throttles to 1–3?Mbps until the next cycle, with token purchase option.
Starlink prioritizes users up to around 2?TB of “priority data” before deprioritizing during network congestion. Certain fixed-location Starlink plans don’t prioritize at all.
7. Purchasing Additional High?Speed Data
You can buy 1–10?GB of extra high-speed data at a time via your My Viasat portal; pricing ranges from ~$10–95 depending.
8. Tips to Stay Within Your High?Speed Threshold
- Use Wi?Fi scheduling tools and selective downloads during Free Zone or off?peak hours.
- Reduce video quality (e.g., SD instead of HD or 4K).
- Limit torrenting, backups, and large software updates unless on high-speed data.
- Set data alerts on devices to avoid surprises.
9. Choosing the Right Plan
Consider household usage:
- Light users: Bronze/Silver plans with ~35–45?GB of high-speed data may suffice.
- Family/Moderate users: Gold (~65?GB) may be better.
- Heavy users or lots of streaming/gaming: Viasat Unleashed (~850?GB) avoids throttling issues.
Buying extra data or upgrading once you exceed limits frequently is better than constantly purchasing small overages.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does Viasat have a data cap?
Viasat provides unlimited service, but each plan has a high?speed data threshold. After you use that, your speed may be reduced during peak times, though data continues to flow at lower priority.
What happens after I exceed my data allowance?
You’ll receive alerts at 70%, 90% and 100% usage. Beyond 100%, your speeds become deprioritized during busy times—you won't be cut off, but performance may be impacted until the cycle resets.
Can I buy more high?speed data?
Yes, you can purchase extra high-speed data (1–10?GB at a time) via My Viasat, costing approximately $10 to $95 depending on the amount.
Is Viasat Unleashed really unlimited?
Viasat Unleashed offers up to ~850?GB of high-speed data. After that, speeds may still be deprioritized during congestion, but you won’t be blocked.
What is the Free Zone?
Certain Viasat plans include a 3–5 hour daily “Free Zone” where full-speed data is restored regardless of usage, perfect for large downloads or updates.
10. Real World Example
You stream about 4?hours/week in HD (~2.5?GB/hr = ~10?GB/week). Monthly other activities (emails, browsing) add ~28?GB. Total ~68?GB/month. A Gold plan (~65?GB) may be borderline. Viasat Unleashed (850?GB) eliminates throttling risks.
11. Summary Table
Plan High?Speed Data Speed Cap Monthly Cost* Extra Data Cost Bronze 12 ~35?GB 12?Mbps $69.99?99.99 $10/GB Silver ~45?GB 12?Mbps+ $99.99?149.99 $10–95 Gold ~65?GB 12?Mbps+ $149.99?199.99 -- Unleashed 850?GB 25–150?Mbps $119?129+ Not available *Actual pricing and availability vary by promotion and region.
12. Final Takeaways
- Viasat never “kills” your Internet after you hit a high-speed limit.
- You always have connection, just possibly at slower speeds during congestion.
- Monitor your data, take advantage of Free Zone hours, and pick a plan matching your usage profile.
- Heavy users should strongly consider Viasat Unleashed to avoid brownouts entirely.
