Dish Network Launches Satellite Internet Service Today

Dish Network began offering broadband internet services dubbed dishNet, today to new and existing customers. The move is expected to penetrate the rural area market, with up to 14.5 million consumers without options for high speed internet before the launch.

In addition to the new service, Dish will be offering customers bundled services which includes TV, internet, and phone services at a discounted price.

Dish lists a starting price of $39.99 on their website "with a qualifying Dish TV package." The plan will be offered with 10GB a month bandwidth usage at speeds of 5mb download and 1mb upload. At $49.99, customers are offered up to 20GB bandwidth and speeds up to 10mb download and 1 mb upload. A third package offers 30GB bandiwdth usage with speeds up to 10mbps download and 2mbps upload for $69.99.

DirecTV plans to launch a competing broadband service sometime in 2013.