DirectTV Satellite Internet Review 2023

DIRECTV doesn’t offer its own internet, which means you can’t get TV and internet packages from DIRECTV for a discount. Fortunately, you can get internet service and DIRECTV service separately, and AT&T internet makes for an excellent self-made internet and TV bundle.

If you're not in a AT&T Internet area, we also recommend pairing DIRECTV with Viasat internet. DIRECTV pairs great with satellite internet because it won’t require internet data to watch TV, and you can get both just about anywhere in the United States.

We've gathered our favorite internet services to pair with DIRECTV, starting with fellow satellite provider Viasat and DSL provider AT&T before moving into top-notch wireless internet options. All of these options will get you solid DIRECTV WiFi.

But just to be clear, none of these internet services are bundled automatically with your DIRECTV bill, but AT&T internet and Viasat internet particularly play nice with DIRECTV's satellite TV service all the same. AT&T internet will be more affordable in the long run, but it's not as broadly available as Viasat, so it all depends on where you live.

Satellite is more expensive than other internet services, so we don’t recommend it to people who live in big cities or suburbs or have other internet options available. But if you're living in an area where satellite TV is the only TV service you can get, satellite internet is likely the only kind of internet you can get too. And it's not so bad getting TV and internet packages from the same service type.  Here are your best options.

Viasat internet

For heavy data users, we recommend Viasat satellite internet with DIRECTV. Viasat plans offer more data on average—up to 300 GB per month with the priciest Viasat plan. But it's not the only satellite internet provider you can pair with your DIRECTV service.

HughesNet internet

For households with minimal data usage (checking email, browsing, etc.), or for people on a tight budget, HughesNet satellite internet is a better choice. One of its biggest downsides is that you can't stream a lot of TV with HughesNet service, but with DIRECTV's channel lineup, you won't have to worry about it!

For more information on how these two compare, check out our Viasat, HughesNet, and satellite TV service reviews.

DIRECTV Stream is DIRECTV's live TV and on-demand streaming service--you know, because every entertainment company out there is making one right now.

DIRECTV Stream (which absorbed AT&T TV and AT&T TV NOW) requires an internet connection to deliver its online video programming, so if you're in an out-of-the-way place, we don't recommend it. The internet speed and data you'll need to run DIRECTV Stream just means you'll eat up your rural internet watching TV. Stick with your DIRECTV satellite TV service for something a bit more reliable if you're outside of built-up cities and towns.

Enjoy endless entertainment with DIRECTV satellite television.

For all the knocks traditional TV sometimes gets, it's still a bit more reliable than streaming TV. DIRECTV offers top-tier entertainment with hundreds of channels and a wide range of packages. The included DIRECTV Genie HD DVR records hours of your favorite programs and lets you watch them whenever you want.

Plus, DIRECTV offers more channels than DISH overall. With so many entertainment options, there will always be something good to watch on DIRECTV. Learn more about satellite TV service on our DIRECTV review page.

No, DIRECTV does not offer internet service or internet bundles. DIRECTV used to offer TV and internet packages bundled with AT&T, but these bundles were discontinued when AT&T sold DIRECTV in 2021.

DIRECTV does not require internet service if you’re watching it on your TV. You can enjoy DIRECTV at the same quality with or without internet service in your home.

If you want to use the DIRECTV app to watch your shows away from home, you’ll need a Wi-Fi connection at home or a data plan for your phone or tablet. You'll also need an internet connection to use DIRECTV Stream.

No, you can’t get an internet-only plan from DIRECTV (since DIRECTV doesn’t offer internet service), but you can get internet from AT&T, Viasat, HughesNet, or another provider in your area to use along with your DIRECTV service.