DishNET Satellite Broadband Bringing 4G-Level Speeds To The Middle Of Nowhere

These days, it seems that wires don't have much of a future. Just as soon as we can figure out wireless power, the future will be upon us. In the meantime, things like LTE have proven that wireless technologies don't have to play second fiddle to wireline technologies. Now, DISH Network is launching dishNET broadband, which aims to bring high-speed internet to rural places in America with slow or no access today. Naturally, they're also hoping to bundle this with DISH TV services all the while.

But focused on broadband, it'll go up against HughesNet (a historically slow service) offering "4G-level services." Given that LTE is faster than even some DSL connections, it's quite possible that rural broadband could one day be quicker than some home broadband connections. Go figure, huh? The internet services will start at just $39.99 per month, and amazingly, DISH is offering next-day installation.

The dishNET satellite service offers rural residents download speeds up to 10 Mbps. There will almost certainly be a latency factor that makes this tough for online gaming, but everything else should be satisfactory. Particularly compared to nothing.


In rural and outlying suburban regions nationwide, dishNET satellite broadband starts at $39.99 per month (plus equipment fees) for 5 Mbps download/1 Mbps upload speeds and data plans of 10 GB, when bundled with DISH's popular America's Top 120 or higher programming packages and with a two-year agreement. Combining dishNET with DISH TV saves $10 per month. Most satellite customers can upgrade to a 10 Mbps /1 Mbps plan available with 20 GB of data for $49.99 per month.

Satellite broadband service includes five @dishNET.com email accounts, each with 2 GB of storage and an easy-to-configure online mail portal that combines web search, news, entertainment and weather updates.

Installation is free for new and existing DISH TV customers when dishNET is bundled with DISH's television programming and $99 when ordered as a stand-alone service. Existing DISH satellite Internet customers can upgrade to the 5 Mbps or 10 Mbps speeds for $199.99.

In addition to satellite Internet service, DISH's own competitive local exchange carrier will also fold its wireline broadband service into the dishNET brand. Urban and suburban residents living in a 14-state region and access high-speed Internet with 7 Mbps starts at $29.95 per month. Upgrade to 12 Mbps service for an additional $5 per month or 20 Mbps for an additional $10 per month. This service is available in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.