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. 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 much farther out. Starlink's lower orbit means better latency than those older dishes, but the path still goes to space and back. Get Starlink's current latency numbers from them.
Netafy Fixed Wireless
Fixed wireless uses ground-based towers, typically on hilltops or tall structures, connected to fiber backbone. A compact outdoor receiver on your home, powered by one low-voltage Ethernet cable, communicates with the nearest tower via radio frequency. The signal travels a few miles horizontally, not 340 miles vertically.
Netafy'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 Fixed Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Download speed | Check Starlink | 50–400 Mbps |
| Upload speed | Check Starlink | Up to 100 Mbps |
| Latency | Higher and more variable than a ground path | Ground path. No published ms SLA. |
| Data policy | Priority data, then deprioritized | No caps, no throttling |
| Monthly price | Check Starlink | GigTier from $49/mo (50 Mbps min, 100 Mbps burst) |
| Equipment cost | Check Starlink | $99–$199 installation |
| Contract | None | None (month-to-month) |
| Weather impact | Snow on dish, rain fade | Heavy weather can occasionally affect it |
| 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
Starlink advertises a range. Real-world performance varies, and their priority data tiers can slow you down once you hit the monthly allotment. Check Starlink for current advertised and typical speeds.
Netafy's listed 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 go up to 100 Mbps, which matters for video calls, cloud backups, and remote work. Speeds up to 2 Gbps are available for some homes. Ask us about it or call 877-412-9434.
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: Latency is higher and more variable than a ground path, because the signal goes to space and back. Satellite handoffs can cause momentary spikes. On a Zoom call, this can show up as the awkward delay where you talk over each other. Get current numbers from Starlink.
Netafy: Ground path to a nearby tower, not a trip to space. We don't publish a latency SLA or a millisecond range. Video calls and cloud apps usually feel more like a wired connection than satellite. Your address still has to have a usable shot to a tower.
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 draws extra power 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: Fixed wireless signals travel from a nearby tower, not up through the sky to a satellite. Towers are built for NH weather. Heavy weather can occasionally affect a wireless link. We don't claim snow and rain never touch it, and we don't invent an uptime number.
Price: Netafy Wins
We don't publish Starlink's current monthly rate or dish price. Those change. Get them from Starlink.
GigTier from $49/mo (50 Mbps min, 100 Mbps burst). Where GigTier isn't available yet, ask about Standard from $48/mo.
Netafy Basic first-year cost: $99-$199 install plus $588 (12 months × $49). First year is $687-$787 depending on the install fee.
Netafy Premium first-year cost: $99-$199 install plus $828 (12 months × $69). First year is $927-$1,027 depending on the install fee.
Compare those published Netafy numbers to whatever Starlink quotes you today.
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: 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 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 is expanding into your area but hasn't reached your home yet, Starlink fills the gap.
When Netafy Makes More Sense
For the majority of homes within Netafy'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 a published monthly price: GigTier from $49/mo (50 Mbps min, 100 Mbps burst). Compare that to Starlink's current quote.
- 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 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.
