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Q: What is the installation process like?
A: After placing your order, we can usually schedule your installation within 2-4 days. You can choose a date & time most convenient for you: Mornings (8-11AM), Afternoons (11AM-2PM) or Evenings (2-5PM). Your local Viasat technician will contact you to discuss site requirements, such as a clear line of sight to the southern sky and where you would like the equipment located, and confirm your scheduled installation appointment time and date.
The certified professional installer quickly & efficiently installs your Viasat equipment and activates the Viasat internet service at your chosen location. We will provide the dish and modem. You may either plug your computer directly into the modem or plug your WiFi router in for wireless networking with multiple devices. Viasat satellite mini-dish is about 30 inches wide by 28 inches high and can be easily mounted on a roof, outside wall or on a pole in the ground. A cable from the dish connects to the modem, which connects to your computer via an Ethernet connection.
The technician will assist you with any questions on the service before you be asked to review & sign your new Viasat Customer Agreement. You will then be automatically billed for your first month of service. Installation typically takes 2-3 hours.
IMPORTANT: Someone over the age of 18 must be present to discuss placement of the equipment, to sign the Customer Agreement and to provide the last 4 digits of the credit card or bank account associated with the order. If the ground is frozen or hard to dig for pole mounts, then you may incur an additional fee. To learn more about the installation process click here .
Q: What does standard installation include?
A: Your Viasat professional installation includes the following services:
- Delivery & installation of all your new Viasat equipment by a certified technician
- Travel to and from your location within 50 miles of your local installer’s office
- Complete installation planning, including site survey and customer input on installation location
- Compliance with any applicable FCC and electrical rules and regulations, including grounding the dish
- Cable routed through one exterior wall and one interior wall or floor
- Viasat modem connection to one computer
- Internet service test, customer account activation and assistance reviewing & signing your Viasat service agreement
Q: What equipment is included with my Viasat internet service?
A: Your Viasat technician will deliver and install the following equipment & materials:
- Viasat internet antenna dish, transceiver and bracket assembly
- Viasat internet modem and 7-foot Viasat Cable
- Up to 150 feet of RG-6 cable from antenna to modem
- All necessary mounting and cabling hardware
Q: How much does this equipment cost?
A: All Viasat internet subscribers are required to lease the necessary satellite user terminal equipment. You may choose a Monthly Equipment Lease Fee for $10 a month or the Lifetime Equipment Plan Prepaid option for $299.99 (due on your first month’s bill). The lease fee includes all the equipment required to access the Viasat internet satellite signal. Subscribers must use the provided Viasat internet modem and antenna; no other modems or antennas are supported by Viasat’s systems. A wireless router is included in the Viasat Gateway Modem, available for new installations or as an upgrade in most areas.
Q: How much does it cost to begin the installation process?
A: Installation fees vary depending on your credit score and type of installation mount desired and can range from $0 to $300. Your Viasat sales rep will discuss any anticipated fees before you place your order. Additionally, we require a valid form of payment on file to set up your automatic payment method. We accept Credit & Debit cards, plus bank account. If using a Credit/Debit card, we will perform a 2-3 second verification hold (not charge) of $60. This hold is released after 3 seconds back to your bank (as part of the verification of account). NOTE: We do not perform a $60 verification hold when using your checking or savings account with routing number.
IMPORTANT: Placing an order doesn’t lock you into anything. It just sets up the account so that we can schedule a visit by one of our Viasat certified professional installer to your property. We can usually get you installed within 2-4 days from the date of your order. The Viasat technician will confirm that you are within one of Viasat’s beams and will check the line of sight (no trees in the way). At that time, the installer will ask if you want to go ahead with the service and equipment installation or you may decide to decline and the installer will leave at no fee to yourself.
If you decide to go ahead with the service, the technician will install and test your new Viasat equipment. Once you are satisfied with your Viasat internet connection, your Viasat installer will have you sign your Viasat service contract and you will be billed for your monthly service plan on the day of installation in advance of the month. Each month after, you will be billed on your monthly billing date. Our Billing Dates are every four days (on the 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, etc.).
Q: Can I install my own dish or modem?
A: No. Installation requires a Viasat satellite Dish and Viasat Gateway Modem specifically designed for your Viasat internet services. A Viasat certified professional installer will make sure that the Viasat satellite Dish is pointed at the ViaSat satellite in space accurately and ensure that all connections are properly made.
Q: Can my satellite TV & internet service be combined into one dish?
A: No. Even if you already have or plan to buy satellite TV service, such as DIRECTV or Dish, at this time, each service requires its own individual satellite dish. It is important to note that satellite TV requires only one direction (receiving), while satellite internet must go in two directions, so you can download & upload information; therefore, each dish is different with required operating specs.
Q: Can I install the equipment myself?
A: No. Viasat does not offer a ‘self-service’ installation option since the installation and alignment of the satellite dish must be completed by a certified Viasat professional installer. Our Viasat-authorized technicians perform all installations, including both standard and non-standard installations that involve a pole mount, under eave or non-penetrating roof options. The technician will also ground the dish to ensure your safety and protect your new system. No part of the installation process may be performed by a customer, as this will void the warranty on the Viasat equipment.
Q: Why does the satellite dish need to be grounded?
A: Grounding the satellite dish safeguards you and the equipment from electrical surges, direct lightening strikes and static electricity discharge. Because the Viasat satellite Dish is located outdoors, wind creates a static charge on the dish and coaxial cable attached. This charge can build up on both the antenna and cable until it jumps across an air space, often passing through the electronics. Connecting the cable and satellite dish to the building grounding electrode system — commonly referred to as “grounding” — helps to dissipate this static charge. Grounding is also an industry requirement of the National Electrical Code (NEC).
Q: Will my homeowners association or landlord allow the Viasat dish on my the roof or wall?
A: The Viasat satellite Dish falls under the FCC Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule. This means it has the same classification as other residential dishes — such as satellite TV dishes like DIRECTV and Dish — and is legally permissible to be mounted on your home. However, you should also check with your Home Owners Association (HOA) for specific rules and covenants that may alter your rights or limit dish installations. Renters should always check with the property owner and obtain the necessary permission first before installing satellite internet service. For additional information on the FCC ruling and dish classification, view the FCC OTARD Rule.
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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