Viasat loses 83% of US satellite internet subscribers since Starlink launch
Viasat has lost approximately 83% of its US residential satellite broadband subscribers since SpaceX launched Starlink in 2020, highlighting how rapidly the newer satellite internet service is reshaping the market. The California-based satellite communications company ended September 2026 with approximately 100,000 fixed broadband subscribers in the United States, down from 603,000 in the third quarter of 2020, shortly before Starlink began its public beta program.
The figures were disclosed in Viasat's latest quarterly earnings report, released November 5. The company has now lost more than 500,000 US broadband customers in roughly six years.
Starlink Changes the Satellite Internet Market
Starlink's rapid expansion has put pressure on traditional satellite internet providers by offering a different approach to delivering broadband. Unlike Viasat, which primarily relies on geostationary satellites positioned approximately 35,786 kilometres above Earth, Starlink operates a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites.
The shorter distance allows Starlink to deliver substantially lower latency, making activities such as video conferencing, online gaming and real-time applications more practical. Viasat's traditional satellite service has recorded latency of approximately 680 milliseconds, compared with roughly 45 milliseconds for Starlink, according to Ookla measurements cited in PCMag's report.
Deutsche Bank estimates that Starlink now has approximately 4.1 million subscribers in the United States, illustrating the scale of the competitive challenge facing legacy satellite providers.
Viasat Turns to New Satellite Technology
Viasat is attempting to reverse its residential broadband decline through its ViaSat-3 satellite programme. ViaSat-3 Flight 2 entered service over the Americas in early October, providing additional network capacity and the ability to deliver download speeds exceeding 100Mbps.
The company has also introduced a new residential package called Unleashed Max. The plan offers baseline speeds of 80Mbps, with burst speeds reaching 200Mbps, unlimited data and higher network priority during periods of congestion.
However, the service comes at a premium. It costs $109.99 per month during the first year before increasing to $179.99. Customers also need new equipment and professional installation to access the ViaSat-3 service.
Despite the improved speeds, the plan's advertised latency remains around 645 milliseconds, leaving Viasat with a significant disadvantage for latency-sensitive applications.
Can Viasat Stabilize Its Broadband Business?
Viasat's management attributed the latest quarterly subscriber losses partly to unusually high seasonal cancellations during the summer. Chief Financial Officer Gary Chase said the company had begun targeted initiatives following the launch of ViaSat-3 Flight 2, with the goal of stabilizing its residential broadband business over the coming quarters.
The company still has substantial operations beyond residential internet, including aviation, maritime and government communications. These businesses provide additional revenue streams as it works to address declining consumer demand.
For now, Viasat faces the challenge of convincing customers that its upgraded satellite infrastructure can compete with Starlink on performance, reliability, and price.
