Test Your Viasat Internet Speed

About Viasat

How to Test Your Viasat Internet Speed

Visit pong.com on a device connected to your Viasat network and click Run Speed Test. Use a wired Ethernet connection to your Viasat modem for the most accurate results. Because satellite speeds can fluctuate with weather and congestion, run the test multiple times at different times of day.

Pong.com's jitter and bufferbloat measurements are especially important for satellite connections. High latency is inherent to geostationary satellite internet, but jitter and bufferbloat reveal additional performance issues beyond the baseline latency.

What Speeds Should You Expect from Viasat?

Viasat plans offer download speeds from 12 to 150 Mbps depending on the plan and your location. Upload speeds are typically 3 to 5 Mbps. Because Viasat uses geostationary satellites at approximately 22,000 miles altitude, latency is inherently high, typically 600 to 700 ms round-trip.

Viasat enforces data priority thresholds. After exceeding your plan's priority data allowance, speeds may be reduced during network congestion. This means your early-month speeds may be faster than late-month speeds if you use data heavily.

Common Viasat Speed Issues and How to Fix Them

Weather is the primary enemy of satellite internet. Heavy rain, snow, and thick cloud cover can significantly reduce or interrupt your Viasat connection. There is no fix for this other than waiting for the weather to clear. Keep your dish free of snow and ice accumulation.

Data priority exhaustion is another common issue. Once you exceed your plan's priority data allocation, speeds during busy hours may drop noticeably. Monitor your usage through the My Viasat app and conserve data by reducing video streaming quality and disabling automatic cloud backups.

Understanding Your Viasat Speed Test Results

Viasat speed test results will always show high ping latency (600 to 700 ms) due to the geostationary satellite distance. This is a physics limitation, not a network problem. Download and upload speeds should be compared against your plan tier. If download is below plan level, weather or congestion may be factors.

Jitter on Viasat is typically 20 to 50 ms. The bufferbloat grade may vary. High latency combined with bufferbloat can make real-time applications like gaming and video calls very challenging on Viasat.

Viasat vs Other Providers

Viasat competes with HughesNet for geostationary satellite customers. Viasat generally offers faster download speeds, while HughesNet provides more consistent (if slower) performance. Both share the same fundamental latency limitation.

Starlink is the major disruptor in the satellite market. With latency of 25 to 60 ms versus 600+ ms, Starlink provides a dramatically better experience for real-time applications. If Starlink is available in your area, it is generally the superior satellite option. However, Viasat may still be appropriate in areas where Starlink has a long waitlist.

Tips to Improve Your Viasat Internet Speed

Ensure your satellite dish has a clear, unobstructed view of the southern sky (in the northern hemisphere). Even small obstructions can degrade signal quality. Keep the dish free of debris, snow, and ice.

Conserve your priority data by lowering streaming resolution to 480p or 720p, disabling automatic app updates, and scheduling large downloads for late-night hours when congestion is lowest. A wired Ethernet connection will give you the best speeds from your Viasat modem.