Cancel Viasat: Your Step-by-Step Guide

How to cancel Viasat internet in canada: your step-by-step guide to ending satellite service

Why you might cancel Viasat and when it makes sense

Viasat is a satellite internet provider that serves Canadians in rural and remote areas where traditional broadband infrastructure is scarce or unavailable. The service uses satellite dishes and customer equipment to deliver connectivity to your home or business, making it a vital option for regions underserved by cable and fibre providers.

You might decide to cancel Viasat if you are relocating to an area with better broadband options, switching to a competitor, experiencing service reliability issues, or simply reducing household expenses. Whatever your reason, Tocancel recognizes that cancelling a satellite internet contract requires careful planning and documentation to protect yourself from unexpected charges and service complications.

When cancelling makes sense

Cancellation becomes the right choice when your circumstances change materially. Perhaps you are moving to a location where fibre or cable internet is now available, or your current service no longer meets your household's bandwidth demands. If you are experiencing persistent outages, throttling, or data caps that limit your productivity, cancelling may free you to pursue better alternatives.

Before you cancel, however, verify whether Viasat remains your only option and explore whether you qualify for government rural broadband subsidies in your province. These subsidies can sometimes reduce your monthly cost significantly and may make staying with Viasat more affordable than you initially thought.

When staying with Viasat might be your best choice

If you live in a remote area with no viable alternatives, Viasat may remain your only option despite dissatisfaction. Before you submit a cancellation request, contact Viasat customer service directly to negotiate a rate reduction or service upgrade. Many providers offer loyalty discounts or promotional pricing to customers considering cancellation, and you may secure better terms without switching providers.

The key takeaway: assess your alternatives and your contract terms before you proceed with cancellation to ensure you are making the most cost-effective decision for your situation.

Your consumer rights under canadian law

Canadian consumer protection laws give you important leverage when cancelling Viasat, even if the company's terms seem restrictive.

Federal and provincial protections that apply to you

The Competition Act (federal) and provincial Consumer Protection Acts apply to Viasat's cancellation practices. Under these laws, you have the right to cancel within a cooling-off period, typically 10 to 14 days after purchase, without penalty if you were sold the service remotely (by phone or online). Additionally, early termination fees must be reasonable and transparent; Canadian courts have found excessive fees to be unenforceable when they do not reflect genuine losses to the provider.

Your legal position is clear: Viasat cannot charge you arbitrary or punitive fees simply because you wish to end your contract early. If the company refuses to honour your cancellation request or demands an unreasonable fee, you can escalate to your provincial consumer protection authority. In Ontario, contact the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services; in British Columbia, contact the Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate for telecom complaints; in Alberta, reach out to the Fair Trading Act Complaints Program. Tocancel advises keeping all correspondence with Viasat in case you need to file a formal complaint or pursue a dispute resolution process.

Your right to cancel in writing

Viasat's service agreement explicitly requires written notice for cancellation; email and online chat do not satisfy this requirement. This means you must send a formal, documented letter to terminate your account. This requirement protects both you and Viasat by creating an undeniable paper trail of your cancellation request, ensuring the company cannot later claim they never received your notice to cancel.

Written cancellation notices create legal accountability on both sides of the transaction.

Methods to cancel your Viasat account

Viasat enforces a two-step cancellation process that requires both a phone call and formal written notice sent by registered mail.

Step one: phone call to initiate cancellation

Your first step is calling Viasat customer service to initiate the cancellation process. You cannot cancel via website, email, or chat; Viasat requires a voice conversation to discuss your account status, outstanding fees, equipment return logistics, and any early termination fees you may owe. The phone call creates a preliminary cancellation request, but it does not officially terminate your service without the written follow-up sent by registered mail.

When you call, request that the representative provide you with a written confirmation email or letter that includes the date of your cancellation request, any fees owed, and the address where you must send your formal written notice. This confirmation becomes your evidence if a dispute arises later.

Step two: registered mail with formal termination notice

After your phone call, you must send a registered letter to Viasat's mailing address. In Canada, send your letter via Priority Courier or Canada Post Registered Mail with signature confirmation. This formal notice is your definitive cancellation request and must include your account number, your full name, the service address, and a clear statement that you are cancelling your Viasat service effective immediately or on a specific date.

Do not rely on email or standard mail for your cancellation notice; Viasat's service agreement explicitly does not accept these methods as valid cancellation requests.

Step-by-step cancellation process

This is the complete process you must follow to cancel Viasat successfully and protect yourself from service continuation charges.

1. Call Viasat customer service at the number on your bill and request cancellation
   • Provide your account number and confirm your full name and service address
   • Ask the representative to specify all outstanding fees, early termination charges, and equipment return requirements
   • Request written confirmation of the date and time of your cancellation request via email
   • Ask for the official mailing address where you must send your formal written notice
2. Prepare your written cancellation notice immediately after the phone call
   • Include your account number, full name, service address, and contact phone number
   • State clearly: "I am cancelling my Viasat internet service effective [date]"
   • Keep a copy for your records before you mail it
3. Send your letter via Priority Courier or Canada Post Registered Mail with signature confirmation
   • Obtain a receipt and tracking number from Canada Post
   • Keep this receipt as proof of delivery
   • Send to the address Viasat provided during your phone call
4. Return your Viasat equipment within the timeframe specified by the company
   • Pack the satellite dish, modem, router, and all cables in the original box if possible
   • Include a copy of your cancellation letter in the package
   • Ship the equipment via the return method Viasat specifies, tracking the shipment
5. Monitor your account for final billing and service disconnection
   • Verify that Viasat disconnects your service by the agreed-upon date
   • Check your next billing statement to confirm no charges appear
   • Save all billing confirmations and correspondence for your records

Following this sequence creates a complete documentation trail that protects you if Viasat later disputes your cancellation or attempts to charge you additional fees.

Early termination fees and what you might owe

Viasat offers both contract-based plans (12 or 24 months) and month-to-month options, which directly affect your cancellation costs.

You must return all equipment, including the satellite dish, modem, and router, within Viasat's specified timeframe. Failure to return equipment may result in additional equipment charges (typically $200-$500) added to your final bill. Tocancel recommends verifying the return process in writing before you mail your cancellation notice, ensuring you understand the exact timeline and return address for equipment.

Refunds and final billing after cancellation

Understanding your refund entitlements helps you verify that Viasat bills you fairly after you cancel.

What you should expect on your final bill

Viasat will charge you for any partial month of service used up to your cancellation effective date. If you cancel mid-month, you pay a prorated amount for the days you used the service. You will not receive a refund for prepaid service beyond your cancellation date; instead, that credit applies to your final bill or is forfeited, depending on Viasat's terms.

Your final bill will also itemize any early termination fees owed (if applicable), equipment return charges (if you fail to return hardware), or administrative fees. Review this bill carefully against the fees the phone representative quoted during your cancellation call; discrepancies suggest billing errors you should dispute immediately.

How long refunds take and when you receive them

If Viasat owes you a refund after applying all charges to your final bill, the company typically processes it within 5 to 10 business days. The refund appears as a credit to your original payment method (credit card, debit account, or cheque). If you do not receive the expected refund within 14 days, contact Viasat customer service with your cancellation date and final bill number to follow up.

Keep copies of your final billing statement, cancellation letter, and any correspondence confirming the refund amount; these documents protect you if you need to file a dispute or complaint with your provincial consumer authority.

What to do after your Viasat cancellation

The cancellation process does not end the moment your service disconnects; you must take several steps to finalize the transition and protect yourself.

Verify service disconnection and confirm final billing

On your cancellation effective date, test your internet connection to confirm that Viasat has indeed disconnected your service. Some customers discover that their service continues running because the cancellation notice failed to reach the company's disconnection department on time. If your service remains active beyond the agreed cancellation date, call customer service immediately and reference your registered mail tracking number as proof of your cancellation request.

Review your next billing statement carefully. Confirm that no new charges appear after your cancellation effective date and that all fees match what Viasat quoted during your phone call. If unexpected charges appear, dispute them immediately with customer service and, if necessary, escalate to your credit card company or bank.

Document all correspondence and save receipts

Create a folder on your computer or keep a physical file containing every document related to your Viasat cancellation: the phone call confirmation email, your written cancellation letter (copy), the registered mail receipt and tracking number, Viasat's final bill, and any follow-up correspondence. These documents become your evidence if Viasat later attempts to charge you for service after your cancellation or if a billing dispute arises.

Tocancel recommends keeping this documentation for at least two years, as billing issues sometimes surface months after cancellation when Viasat's systems reconcile your account.

File a complaint if Viasat fails to honour your cancellation

If Viasat refuses to disconnect your service, continues billing you after your effective date, or charges unjustified fees, escalate your complaint to your provincial consumer protection authority. Your registered mail receipt and cancellation letter serve as proof that you submitted a valid cancellation request. The consumer authority will investigate Viasat's conduct and may require the company to refund improper charges or disconnect your service immediately.

Taking action after cancellation ensures Viasat honours your request and does not continue draining your account.

Common cancellation mistakes to avoid

Cancelling satellite internet can feel overwhelming, and small errors often lead to extended billing or disputed charges that could have been prevented.

Mistake one: sending cancellation notice via email or regular mail

Viasat's service agreement explicitly requires written notice sent by registered mail or courier. Email and standard mail do not create the documented proof Viasat accepts as valid cancellation requests. If you send your cancellation via email, the company can later claim it never received the notice and continue billing you. Always use Priority Courier or Canada Post Registered Mail with signature confirmation; the receipt becomes your legal proof of delivery.

Mistake two: failing to request written confirmation during your phone call

During your initial phone call to Viasat, ask the representative to send you a written confirmation email that includes the date and time of your call, the representative's name, and the address where you must mail your formal written notice. This email becomes your reference document if Viasat later claims confusion about your cancellation request or disputes the cancellation date.

Mistake three: not returning equipment promptly

Viasat charges equipment fees ($200-$500) if you do not return the satellite dish, modem, and router within the specified timeframe. Delay sending back your equipment, and you risk these charges appearing on your final bill. Ship your equipment immediately after receiving disconnection confirmation, and track the shipment to prove timely return.

Mistake four: ignoring early termination fees and paying without question

Before you cancel, verify whether your contract period has ended. If you are cancelling early, confirm the exact early termination fee Viasat will charge. If the fee seems excessive compared to your contract terms, ask Viasat to justify it or contact Tocancel for guidance on whether the fee violates Canadian consumer law. In some cases, courts have ruled that early termination fees are unenforceable if they do not reasonably reflect the company's actual losses.

Mistake five: discarding your cancellation documentation too early

Keep all cancellation-related documents for at least two years. Viasat's billing systems sometimes contain errors that surface months after disconnection, and your registered mail receipt and cancellation letter serve as definitive proof of your request if you need to dispute a charge or file a complaint with your provincial consumer authority.

Awareness of these common pitfalls helps you navigate the cancellation process confidently and avoid unnecessary charges or service continuation issues.

Comparison: Viasat versus alternative internet providers in canada

Before you finalize your cancellation, compare Viasat with other providers available in your area to ensure you are switching to a genuinely better service.

If fibre, cable, or fixed wireless internet is now available in your area, those technologies typically offer higher speeds and unlimited data compared to Viasat's satellite service. However, if no alternatives exist, Viasat may remain your only option. Use this comparison table to verify that your new provider truly serves your location and meets your bandwidth needs before you submit your cancellation to Viasat.

Contact information and cancellation address

To cancel Viasat, you must contact the company and send your written notice to the following address:

Viasat customer service phone: 1-866-VIASAT-1 (1-866-842-7281) or contact the number on your billing statement

Viasat cancellation mailing address: Viasat Canada, 700 King Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 3B5 (verify this address by phone when you call to initiate cancellation, as Viasat may have updated its processing centre)

When you call, have your account number and service address ready. Request the current cancellation mailing address and ask for written confirmation of all fees and equipment return requirements via email. After your phone call, prepare your written cancellation notice and send it via Priority Courier or Canada Post Registered Mail within 24 hours to ensure Viasat receives it quickly.

Provincial consumer protection contacts for filing complaints:

• Ontario: Ministry of Government and Consumer Services: 1-800-889-9768
• British Columbia: Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate (telecom complaints): 1-800-896-0165
• Alberta: Fair Trading Act Complaints Program: 1-877-427-2744
• Quebec: Office of the Protecteur du consommateur: 1-888-672-2556
• Manitoba: Consumer Protection Office: 1-204-945-3700

Final takeaway: you have the right to cancel Viasat

Cancelling Viasat requires two clear steps-a phone call followed by registered mail-but the process protects your legal rights as a consumer. Canadian consumer protection law guarantees you the right to cancel, the right to reasonable (not punitive) early termination fees, and the right to escalate complaints if Viasat refuses to honour your request.

Document every interaction, send your written notice by registered mail, and keep all receipts and confirmations. If Viasat continues billing you after your cancellation effective date or charges unjustified fees, your documentation becomes your legal evidence, and Tocancel recommends filing a formal complaint with your provincial consumer authority.

Cancelling can feel daunting, but armed with the correct process and your consumer rights, you can end your Viasat service confidently. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and internet services by breaking down the cancellation process into clear, actionable steps, and we are here to guide you through every stage of your cancellation journey with Viasat.