Two Options, Very Different Technology
For homes in rural New Hampshire, the realistic internet options have narrowed to three: aging DSL, Starlink satellite, and fixed wireless from providers like Netafy Broadband. DSL is on its way out for most use cases, which leaves satellite and fixed wireless as the two technologies competing for households that need real broadband.
Both deliver significantly better speeds than DSL. But they work very differently, cost different amounts, and have different strengths. Here's an honest comparison.
How They Work
Starlink
Starlink uses a constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, thousands of them, orbiting at about 340 miles altitude. A dish on your property communicates with these satellites as they pass overhead, handing off between them. The signal travels from your dish to space and back, plus routing through ground stations.
This is a massive improvement over older satellite internet (HughesNet, Viasat), which used geostationary satellites at 22,000 miles. Starlink's lower orbit means much better latency: 25–60 ms rather than 600 ms+.
Netafy Broadband Fixed Wireless
Fixed wireless uses ground-based towers, typically on hilltops or tall structures, connected to fiber backbone. A small receiver on your home communicates with the nearest tower via radio frequency. The signal travels a few miles horizontally, not 340 miles vertically.
Netafy Broadband's GigTier equipment uses non-line-of-sight (NLOS) beamforming technology, which means it can maintain a connection through moderate tree cover and around terrain features. Older fixed wireless required a clear visual line to the tower; modern equipment does not.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Starlink | Netafy Broadband Fixed Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Download speed | 25–100 Mbps (real-world) | 50–400 Mbps |
| Upload speed | 5–10 Mbps | Up to 100 Mbps |
| Latency | 25–60 ms (can spike 100 ms+) | 10–25 ms |
| Data policy | Priority data, then deprioritized | No caps, no throttling |
| Monthly price | $120/mo (Residential) | $49–$109/mo |
| Equipment cost | $599 (or $15/mo lease) | $99–$199 installation |
| Contract | None | None (month-to-month) |
| Weather impact | Snow on dish, rain fade | Minimal |
| Obstructions | Needs clear sky view | NLOS through trees |
| Support | Email/chat, no phone | Local NE-based team, phone support |
| Installation | Self-install | Professional technician |
Speed: Netafy Broadband Wins are "up to 200 Mbps," but real-world performance in 2026 typically lands between 25 and 100 Mbps download. As more users have signed up in rural areas, network congestion during peak hours has become noticeable. Starlink's priority data tiers mean that users who exceed their monthly data allocation get deprioritized, and speeds can drop well below 25 Mbps during busy periods.
Netafy Broadband's GigTier plans deliver 50–400 Mbps depending on the plan you choose. Download speeds are consistent because the tower network serves a defined coverage area and isn't shared with satellites serving the entire hemisphere. Upload speeds are dramatically better, up to 100 Mbps vs Starlink's 5–10 Mbps, which matters for video calls, cloud backups, and remote work.
Latency: Fixed Wireless Wins
Latency is the time it takes for data to make a round trip between your device and the server you're connecting to. Lower is better, especially for video calls, gaming, and any application where you need real-time responsiveness.
Starlink: 25–60 ms baseline, but variable. Satellite handoffs between passing LEO satellites can cause momentary spikes. During peak congestion or weather events, latency can exceed 100 ms. On a Zoom call, this shows up as the awkward delay where you talk over each other.
Netafy Broadband: 10–25 ms consistently. This is comparable to a cable internet connection. Video calls feel natural, gaming is responsive, and cloud applications are snappy.
Weather: Fixed Wireless Wins in NH
This matters a lot in New Hampshire. Northern NH gets significant snowfall, ice storms, and heavy rain throughout the year.
Starlink: The dish needs a clear view of the sky. Snow accumulation on the dish degrades or blocks the signal. The dish has a built-in heater to melt snow, but it uses significant power (75–100 watts during heating cycles) and doesn't always keep up during heavy storms. Heavy rain can also cause temporary signal degradation (rain fade).
In a state where you might get 12 inches of snow in a single storm followed by freezing rain, this is a real operational issue. Some NH Starlink users report periodic outages during winter storms lasting minutes to hours.
Netafy Broadband: Fixed wireless signals travel horizontally from a nearby tower, not vertically through the atmosphere. Snow and rain have minimal impact on the signal. Towers are engineered for NH weather with ice-rated equipment. Service remains consistent through storms that would degrade satellite performance.
Price: Netafy Broadband Wins
Starlink total first-year cost: $599 (dish) + $1,440 (12 months × $120) = $2,039
Netafy Broadband Basic total first-year cost: $149 (install) + $588 (12 months × $49) = $737
Netafy Broadband Premium total first-year cost: $149 (install) + $828 (12 months × $69) = $977
Even Netafy Broadband's highest-tier residential plan (Platinum at $109/mo) costs less annually than Starlink's standard residential service.
Support: One Is Local, One Is Not
Starlink: Support is handled through the Starlink app and website. There is no phone support. Response times vary, and complex issues can take days to resolve. If your dish has a hardware problem, a replacement ships from a warehouse. No technician visits.
Netafy Broadband: Phone support from a New England–based team. If there's a problem with your installation, a local technician can visit your property. For a rural NH homeowner dealing with an internet issue in January, having a local company that can actually send someone matters.
When Starlink Makes More Sense
Starlink is the better choice in specific situations:
- Your home is outside any fixed wireless coverage area. If you're deep in unincorporated territory or far from any Netafy Broadband tower, satellite may be your only broadband option.
- You're moving frequently. Starlink's portable dish works anywhere with a sky view. If you're in a temporary location, it doesn't require a permanent installation.
- You need service while awaiting fixed wireless availability. If Netafy Broadband is expanding into your area but hasn't reached your home yet, Starlink fills the gap.
When Netafy Broadband Makes More Sense
For the majority of homes within Netafy Broadband's coverage footprint in NH:
- You want faster, more reliable speeds for streaming, remote work, and multi-device households
- You want lower latency for video calls, gaming, and responsive cloud applications
- You want lower monthly cost: $49–$109/mo vs $120/mo
- You don't want to deal with snow on a dish during NH winters
- You want local phone support from a company that can send a technician to your home
- You use significant upload bandwidth for cloud backups, video calls, or remote work
Checking Your Options
If you're in Coos County, Northern Grafton County, or the Lakes Region, it's worth checking if Netafy Broadband covers your address before committing to Starlink. Many homes in Lancaster, Littleton, Franconia, Berlin, Colebrook, Meredith, and surrounding towns are within the GigTier coverage area.
Check your address at netafy.com/contact, or compare all residential plans.
