Choice 50
The second largest plan available, Viasat's Choice 50 delivers nearly twice the speed (50 Mbps) as Choice 30 (30 Mbps)... all for the same price. Why? It all depends on your location. Customers in the contiguous U.S. that are covered by Viasat's faster satellite qualify for Choice 50. Those that aren't have to stick with Choice 30. You'll also get a data cap of 300 GB of high-speed data per month. Overall, the speed and cap are plenty for at least 5 people to stream just about anything, all at the same time.
Overall, only the Platinum plans are bigger than Choice 50, so if your household has a handful of active streamers but not much more, this is likely a solid plan for you. Keep in mind the $149.99/mo is only for the first three promotional months, thereafter it's $199.99.
- Download: 50 Mbps
- Upload: Up to 3 Mbps
- Data Allowance: 300 GB /mo
- - stream/download any time of day
- - after 300 GB, you're slowed at times
- Contract: 2 years
- Up-front fees: $0
At 50 Mbps, this package is pretty snappy, especially for satellite. Ballpark, 50 Mbps is enough bandwidth for the average person to stream high def video (Youtube, Netflix, etc). So, Choice 50 provides enough speed for up to 5 high use devices, all connected concurrently. A few more devices if some folks in your household mainly just surf websites or check mail.
Finally, although there's a 300 GB data cap, in our experience, that doesn't become an issue unless someone routinely falls asleep binge watching and data gets gobbled up quickly (most streaming providers do a good job of checking if someone dozed off). If/when you do hit the cap, your speeds could be lowered to 1-3 Mbps, depending on your area. The following billing cycle will reset your data.
PERFECT FOR: a large household that streams on about 5 devices at a time.
Other Viasat Exede packages
Choice 50 is the largest "Choice" plan from Viasat. Here's a look at all the rest:
Total Cost: Choice 50
Here's the full cost breakdown for the Choice 50 plan, including receiver, installation and other misc. monthly charges. Keep in mind state or local governments can add additional charges to your bill. The set-up below assumes you're using your own modem (which we recommend). Otherwise, you'll pay an additional $12.99/mo to lease one from Viasat.
The current Viasat deal gives you a $50 discount off this plan for 3 months. After 3 months, you'll pay $199.99/mo and that price will be locked in for 2 full years.
- Free installation
- $50 off for 3 months
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Choice 30 to 50?
Typically, no, but if it's been a while since your system was installed, there's no harm in calling up customer service. It's possible that upgraded satellite coverage has given you more options.
Does Choice 50 come with a long contract?
All of Viasat's plans require a 2-year contract. That's mainly because of the relatively high cost (to Viasat) to set up your equipment. If you move before 2 years and Viasat isn't an option at your new residence, you may have some wiggle room to get early termination fees waived.
How do I upgrade from Choice 50 to Platinum
Call up customer service and put in the request. It's all handled on their end and your billing gets prorated accordingly.
Where to find this package
The Choice 50 plan is always priced at the lowest rate possible at the official site:
- ONLY $49.99/mo during intro offer, then $69.99/mo
- Download speeds of up to 12 Mbps
- Unlimited Data (may be throttled above 80 GB/mo)
- Perfect plan for 1-2 people
- STREAM up to 4 devices without issue
- Note: prices are locked in for 2 full years
Company ProfileFounded: 1986Services: Internet, Phone
For nearly 4 decades, Viasat (Exede) has been a leader in rural satellite internet and phone.
Our Viasat rating: 97/100
If you live in the country or, for whatever reason, don't have a traditional internet provider in your area, Viasat is an excellent option. Gone are the days of snail-like satellite internet. Viasat/Exede has new satellites in the sky and updated tech to match. The end result is dramatically improved download speeds (up to 100 Mbps).
With over 750,000 customers, we consider them the best non-wired internet option available. If cable, fiber or fixed wireless internet aren't viable options, give Viasat a serious look.
