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Q: Does Viasat offer unlimited data plans?
A: Yes! With the launch of the ViaSat-2 satellite, Viasat has been able to offer unlimited data plans in most areas. Viasat currently offers several unlimited data plans, including the Bronze, Silver, Gold & Platinum plans with speeds up to 100 Mbps. These are true unlimited data plans. Which means that your speeds are no longer throttled at a preset data limit like HughesNet or cellular internet.
Q: Are there any data limits or restrictions on the unlimited data plans?
A: No. With Viasat’s new unlimited data plans, there are no limits to how much data you can use during your monthly billing cycle. However, during high-traffic hours when the network is busy, Viasat may prioritize your unlimited plan data behind other low data usage Viasat customers after you exceed your data usage threshold called an inflection point. This may result in occasional slower speeds during heavy network congestion.
Q: How much data usage is included in the unlimited data plan?
A: On an unlimited data plan there are no data limits whatsoever. No overage fees. No throttling when you exceed a monthly data limit. However, as previously mentioned above, Viasat may prioritize your data behind other low data usage customers during heavy traffic hours.
Q: What is the Viasat Data Allowance Policy?
A: All Viasat internet plans come with the fastest speeds available in your local area. The main difference between each plan is how your data usage is managed. For example, Viasat’s older Liberty plans have a fixed amount of data you can use monthly. With Viasat’s newer Unlimited Data plans, there are no limits to how much data you can use during your monthly billing cycle. You can find the official policy document covering data allowances (Data Allowance Policy or Bandwidth Usage Policy) on our legal documents page.
Q: What is the Viasat Liberty Plan?
A: Viasat will occasionally have open beams on its older ViaSat-1 satellite to offer an alternative to slower dial-up and DSL in remote locations that may not yet be covered by the newer ViaSat-2 satellite. Viasat offers several Liberty plans on this satellite with download speeds up to 12 Mbps. Viasat Liberty plans are our most affordable option starting at just $50 a month! Call us TODAY at 1-844-4GETNET (1-844-443-8638) to find our what plans and special offers are available in your area.
Q: How do the new Viasat Unlimited Plans differ from the Liberty plans or previous Exede plans?
A: All Liberty plans and the older Exede plans use the ViaSat-1 satellite and come with a preset data limit, similar to HughesNet and cellular internet. Once your monthly data limit is reached, speeds are throttled to under 5 Mpbs during the day and 1 Mbps in the evening. However, the unlimited plans available with the newer ViaSat-2 satellite are true unlimited data plans and do not throttle speeds at a preset limit, leading to faster speeds and better overall performance.
Q: How is my data usage measured?
A: Beginning on the first day of your monthly billing cycle, all data used is measured and counts toward your monthly data allowance, unless you have an older plan with a Free Zone. During the Free Zone, usage is unmetered and does not count toward your data limits. This is the ideal time to schedule larger downloads like movies, software updates or cloud backups. Plans with a Free Zone allow you to use your service with unmetered data from midnight to 5AM (for Exede Classic plans) or from 3AM to 8AM (for Exede Evolution & Essential plans). If you have an Exede Evolution plan, webpage and email access does not count against your monthly data limit.
Q: How do I keep track of how much data I am using?
A: We encourage you to monitor your monthly data usage. Customers who receive their Viasat internet bill directly from Viasat and not through another provider such as DISH or a local telephone or electric company may review their current data usage online through their customer account. Just follow these easy steps:
- Go to your Viasat customer portal.
- Log in with your username and password.
- Your data usage meter will be prominently displayed on the dashboard once you’re logged in.
NOTE: You will receive instructions for setting up your Viasat customer account portal in your “Welcome To Viasat Internet” email.
Q: What happens if I go over my data allowance?
A: It depends on which plan you are on. If you go over your Priority Data allowance with Viasat’s Liberty plans, you get the Liberty Pass. The Liberty Pass allows you to use more data at download speeds of 1 to 5 Mbps, even after your monthly Priority Data is exhausted. While there are no limits to how much data you can use with Viasat’s new Unlimited Data Plans, Viasat may prioritize your data behind other Viasat lower usage customers during heavy traffic hours.
At the end of each monthly measurement period, your data usage meter resets to zero and you can use your full data allowance again. At that time, if your service has been slowed and/or restricted due to excessive use, it will be restored.
Q: How can I get a higher data allowance?
A: Depending on your location and availability you may be able to upgrade to a different service plan with a larger monthly data allowance or one of our newer Unlimited Data Plans.
If you occasionally need more data in a single month, Viasat’s BUY MORE feature gives you the flexibility to purchase more data in 1 GB increments without having to upgrade to a higher data plan. If you’re getting close to your monthly data allowance and don’t want your service to be slowed and/or restricted, BUY MORE will give you the extra data threshold you need to stay at regular speeds.
Q: What’s the difference between using BUY MORE and upgrading to a higher data plan?
A: BUY MORE lets you add data when you occasionally need it in 1 GB increments. If you’re using all the data provided by your monthly plan on a frequent basis, we encourage you to upgrade to a higher data or unlimited plan. It is more cost effective and convenient to upgrade your plan.
Q: Is BUY MORE automatic?
A: No. BUY MORE is available to use when you need it. You will not receive any additional charges on your regular monthly bill unless you choose to purchase additional GBs of BUY MORE data.
Q: Can I BUY MORE data in advance of when I need it?
A: Yes, but you should only do so if you are certain that you will need more data. The additional data purchased through BUY MORE expires when your data measurement cycle ends and resets to zero each month. You cannot roll over any unused BUY MORE data.
Q: If I use up all the data in my monthly plan and don’t choose to BUY MORE, what happens?
A: Depending on which plan you are on, using all the data in your plan before the beginning of your next monthly measurement period may result in slower service and/or restricted service as specified in the Data Allowance Policy for Classic, Evolution and Liberty plans. Your service will be fully restored once your monthly measurement cycle resets.
Q: When is my monthly data measurement reset date?
A: Your monthly data measurement reset date is the same day as your monthly billing date. On that day, your data usage is reset to zero and a new measurement cycle begins. You can find your monthly billing date on your Viasat customer portal page.
Q; What type of internet activities may cause me to go over my data usage allowance?
A: Some online activities use more data than others such as:
- Full-length movie downloads.
- Access by others if you have an unsecured wireless router.
- Heavy use of peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing programs.
- Continuous downloading or streaming media content, such as online videos & music.
- Extended use of web cams or streaming security services.
- Extensive downloading of larger applications or files.
- Extensive uploading of movies, photos &/or large email attachments.
- Extensive use of online backup services such as Amazon Drive, Dropbox, iCloud & Google Drive.
- Some types of gaming.
- A virus or other malware that has infected your computer.
Q: Does my data usage ever affect the speed of my internet service, especially if I use a lot of data?
A: When the Viasat network traffic is not busy, your service speeds will not be affected. However, when the network is congested with high traffic use, and you have used more data than the amount provided in your service plan, Viasat may prioritize your data behind other lower data usage customers, which may result in slower speeds. Webpages and videos may load slower than during periods of non-congestion.
Q: I don’t see my question listed. What should I do?
A: If you have a question or issue not already addressed, we are here to help. You can Chat with us online (see the lower right-hand corner of your screen below), email us at viasat@getruralinternet.com or use our handy online email form and we will get back to you with an answer or solution to help make your Viasat internet experience the best possible! Better yet, just call and ask us at 1-844-4GETNET (1-844-443-8638) TODAY!
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