Satellite Internet is an excellent choice for remote locations where standard means, such as fiber broadband or coaxial cables, are not feasible. However, the slow download/upload speeds of satellite Internet can be pretty frustrating. However, if your satellite Internet connection does not deliver the speeds that the service provider promises, you may have a few things left to do.
Here is a guide on how to make satellite Internet faster.
Why Your Satellite Internet Is Slow
It is good to understand why your satellite Internet is slow in the first place. The answer to this question has two layers.
As I mentioned, satellite Internet is slower than other means of connecting to the Internet, such as wired broadband, 5G, 4G, or fixed wireless access. Additionally, several factors, including location and the Wi-Fi router/modem, will also impact the total speed you receive from a satellite Internet connection. Therefore, the reason for your slow Internet connection may be a combination of these two factors. As it happens, satellite ISPs tend to be conservative when it comes to mentioning their transfer speeds. However, things are different if your speeds are considerably slower than what your ISP promises.
Here are some common reasons why your satellite Internet connection is slower than usual.
- Your satellite dish may experience difficulty maintaining a stable connection with the satellites. This lack of stability can affect the download/upload speeds you ultimately get.
- Weather-related issues can also impact the performance of your satellite Internet connection. If the sky is cloudy, your Internet will be wonky.
- Even when you have a clear sky, obstructions on the way can impact the speed and latency of your satellite Internet connection. Tree branches and overarching buildings are common culprits here.
- Resource overloading during peak hours can also slow down your satellite Internet experience. If too many people in your region use the service, the average speed/latency will suffer.
- It is also possible that you have misaligned the satellite dish. In this case, the dish may not function properly.
- Your satellite ISP may have throttled the connection after you have gone beyond the FUP. The actual speeds in this case could be 1/5th or 1/10th of what is promised.
- Finally, hardware/firmware issues with the satellite dish or the built-in modem could be the reason for your slow Wi-Fi connection.
We clearly have a lot of ground to cover in our efforts to make satellite Internet faster.
How to Make Satellite Internet Faster
We need to address all the potential factors that could be slowing down your satellite Internet experience. I think we have to start with the fundamental infrastructure first.
#1 Check Your Satellite Dish for Misalignment
Proper alignment of the satellite dish is a necessity for ensuring maximum speed from your satellite Internet connection. If you use satellite ISPs like Viasat, the support technician will find the optimal location and the angle of alignment for your satellite. Therefore, you need to ensure that the dish remains in that position.
However, in the case of Starlink, everything is self-installation. It means you need to ensure that the satellite dish remains in the right spot. Once you have found an optimal location, open the Starlink app to properly align the dish. As you can guess, several factors may cause the dish to get misaligned.
Before trying any other solution, verify that the dish is aligned correctly.
Note: On Starlink, the app will alert you if the dish is misaligned at least 5 degrees. However, you can check out the Alignment Tool and manually realign the dish for optimal results.
#2 Remove (Even Small) Obstructions from the Way
Obstructions, however small, are not your friend when it comes to satellite Internet. You might have ensured the absence of obstructions during the initial setup. However, an overgrown tree branch or a new building can block your satellite dish from accessing the clear sky. These obstructions can really reduce the speed.
Once again, things are easy when you have a Starlink Internet connection. You can use the Obstructions tool on the Starlink app to detect and remove obstructions. You should see if such an option is available on other ISPs’ management apps. If not, you must manually check the satellite dish’s view and ensure a clear sky.
Though the process takes time, you can try multiple locations before settling for one.
#3 Upgrade to a Better Modem and Router
There are also times when an old/overworked modem/router is limiting the actual speeds you get from your satellite Internet connection. Therefore, you should consider upgrading your current equipment to a newer version. For instance, you can go for the latest-generation Starlink Kit.
However, if you cannot upgrade the built-in modem/router, check if the router supports Bridge Mode. If so, you can connect another Wi-Fi router to the built-in modem/router. This third-party router can offer better coverage and speed.
#4 Use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi
While Wi-Fi is convenient, it does not match Ethernet in terms of performance. That is, a Wi-Fi network may not fully carry over the actual bandwidth of your satellite Internet connection. You may face this challenge even with a high-end router.
The solution is simple. You can connect your device directly to the satellite’s built-in router. This way, you’d have access to the full speed you get from the satellite connection in the first place.
#5 Check Your Plan and Upgrade If Needed
It could also be a case of your satellite Internet plan’s Fair Usage Policy. Many satellite ISPs ask you to follow a strict FUP, which means the speed will go down once you consume a specific amount of data. For instance, a plan might have a 5GB or 10GB FUP.
You may want to check with your satellite ISP to see if such a situation is occurring. In that case, you can upgrade to a better plan.
#6 Enable QoS
Quality of Service, better known as QoS, on your router can help you prioritize devices and types of traffic in an easy way. This way, you can ensure maximum speed and priority for specific tasks, say video conferencing or streaming.
The problem? Most built-in satellite routers, including Starlink, don’t have a built-in option for QoS. In this case, you may want to rely on a third-party router by connecting it via Bridge Mode.
#7 Use Scheduling for Optimization
Network congestion during peak usage times also affects satellite Internet services. You don’t want to add to this congestion and face a terrible Internet experience. Instead, you can use scheduling functionalities on your computer to optimize the network accordingly.
For instance, schedule updating and other rudimentary tasks for non-peak hours. This way, you can keep the network less congested while getting sufficient bandwidth for your important needs.
#8 Avoid Device Overloading
Device overloading can also cause your satellite Internet connection to become slow! Therefore, if you expect the best speeds, be moderate about the number of active devices. You should also avoid devices that consume a lot of data in the background. These can have an impact on the overall bandwidth.
#9 Use the Metered Connection Feature
You may be unintentionally causing a slow satellite Internet connection. These days, most operating systems have background tasks running for updates and other purposes. These processes not only consume a significant amount of bandwidth but also slow down the entire Wi-Fi experience.
The easy solution? You can turn on the metered connection option for the Wi-Fi network. This way, your PC will not use the connection for background tasks, such as Windows Update. Trust me, you will have a faster Wi-Fi connection.
#10 Contact your Satellite ISP
If the satellite Internet connection remains slow even after all these steps, you should contact your satellite ISP. The problem may be related to the satellite network or a firmware issue with the receiver kit. You will likely have a better solution from their side.
Advanced Techniques for Speed Improvement
If the typical options we mentioned don’t make your satellite Internet connection faster, you can explore a few advanced techniques. Some of them are:
#1 Check for Dish Upgrades
You should check if your satellite ISP offers a dish upgrade. Sometimes, newer-generation dishes can offer a better set of speed, among other advantages. If available, such an upgrade can offer a noticeable increase in speed.
#2 Combine Satellite with Other Internet Options
If you have a compatible router, you can try combining satellite Internet with other Internet options. On the right router, you can combine the speed and redundancy.
#3 Use VPNs for Enhanced Management
This is not a global solution, but you can see if a VPN helps your case. The right VPN server might help you improve connections.
#4 Avoid Network Interference
You should check whether network interference is affecting the overall speed of the satellite Wi-Fi system. It would be great to keep your router away from equipment such as microwave ovens.
Alternatives to Satellite Internet
Depending on where you live, you may also consider some popular alternatives to satellite Internet. They are:
- DSL Internet: While expensive than other options, DSL Internet may be available in rural areas.
- Fixed Wireless: If available, fixed wireless offers a great balance of speed and reliability.
- Cellular Internet: You can try your 3G/LTE connections in some remote areas.
- VSATs: Dedicated mobile terminals are mostly available for business needs.
Wrapping Up
I hope you have a clear understanding of the low-speed issue with a satellite internet connection. We must acknowledge that satellite internet connections are susceptible to various issues, including adverse weather conditions and positioning errors. However, with the right steps, you can improve the speed and ensure a stable connection.
