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25 Mbps DOWNLOAD SPEED
Powered by the world’s highest-capacity broadband satellite, HughesNet delivers reliable satellite internet service to 94% of America. HughesNet internet packages range from 4 Mbps to 25 Mbps, depending on your satellite and plan. With over 1.3 million subscribers, it’s the largest satellite internet provider in the US, servicing both rural and suburban areas. If cable or fiber isn’t available in your area, HughesNet connects you to the world. ver 60 million people live in rural areas of the United States.
A rural area is often distant from any city boundaries. Farmlands, forested areas, mountainous regions, and pastoral landscapes make up rural America. Rural areas have sparse populations, with houses few and far between.
The low-density population of a rural area means that services such as cable internet are most often unavailable. In these instances, people turn to satellite internet.
One satellite internet provider option is HughesNet. There are several HughesNet Internet Plans to choose from that offer different features.
HughesNet offers download speeds up to 25 Mbps. It has upload speeds that reach up to 3 Mbps. According to the FCC, Hughesnet offers broadband speeds.
HughesNet’s across-the-board 25 Mbps speeds are more than enough to allow for internet surfing, gaming, and streaming without any buffering problems.
How Does Satellite Internet Service Work?
First, a request is sent from your computer to a satellite that is floating about 22,000 miles up in the atmosphere. This is the optimum altitude to match the rotation of the Earth. The satellite being able to remain in the same spot over the Earth is called geosynchronous orbit.
Next, the satellite contacts the Hughes Network Operations Center. The network operations center (NOC) locates the specific website you've requested.
Last, the website sends the information back to the HughesNet Network Operations Center. It then bounces to the satellite, and finally transfers back to your computer through the HughesNet dish mounted on your property and the modem inside your house.
While the signal travels an extraordinary distance, it takes a mere fraction of a second for the entire process to finish.
What Type of Hughesnet Internet Plans Are There?
HughesNet has internet plans that are transparent and straightforward when it comes to understanding what they offer. Each plan they offer is named after the data cap it comes with. Pretty simple, right?
The one variance you'll find in each plan is the data cap and the price tag of each plan. A more expensive plan doesn't offer higher speeds. You get a higher data cap, which means you have less of a chance of going over your data and then suffering slower internet speeds.
The plans for HughesNet are:
10 GB Plan - Costs $59.99. Has 25 Mbps, and a 10 GB data cap.
20 GB Plan - Costs $69.99. Has 25 Mbps, and a 20 GB data cap.
30 GB Plan - Costs $99.99. Has 25 Mbps, and a 30 GB data cap.
50 GB Plan - Costs $150.00. Has 25 Mbps, and a 50 GB data cap.
Does Hughesnet Have Data Caps?
While HughesNet lists data caps for each of its plans, these caps aren't hard. If you go over your allotted data, you won't find your internet cut off or discovering massive overage charges on your monthly bill.
However, if you do go over your allowed data, you will encounter a soft cap. A soft cap means that your internet speed will slow down.
If you find that you're nearing a data cap soon, HughesNet offers what is known as "data tokens". Data tokens allow you to buy extra GB from month-to-month to tide you over until your data plan renews for the following month.
Hughesnet Data tokens price out as:
3 GB - $9
5 GB - $15
10 GB - $30
25 GB - $75
What Is a Hughesnet Bonus Zone?
HughesNet offers 50 GB of extra data between the times of 2 AM and 8 AM. HughesNet refers to this time as a "bonus zone" and it renews each month.
If you need to download a large file or patch for one of your games, you can schedule it during the bonus zone and not use up any data from your actual plan.
Should You Lease or Purchase Hughesnet Equipment?
To get HughesNet internet service, you must get a satellite antenna and a modem installed. HughesNet offers the option to either lease the equipment or purchase it outright.
If you choose to lease the antenna and modem, it will cost you $14.99 a month. If you decide to purchase the equipment upfront, it will be $449.99.
Another thing to be aware of is that if you are leasing the equipment, you must also pay a $99 activation fee for the service. However, if you purchase your equipment, this fee is waived.
Does HughesNet Have a Contract/Early Termination Fees?
A big yes.
If you cancel your contract before the 24 months have ended, you might face up to $400 for a termination fee. Even if you keep your service for almost the entire two years, but cancel on the 23rd month, you will face a minimum cancellation fee of $85.
The early termination fee goes down the longer you keep the service. HughesNet does say that if you cancel before any equipment has been installed, it will refund you what you paid, and there won't be an early termination fee. That is the only exemption.
For each month that you keep internet service with HughesNet, the fee will decrease by $15.
For example, if you decide to cancel your service three months after the first 90 days, you'll end up paying $355.
It's also worth noting that if you cancel your contract before it has ended, be sure to return your rental equipment on time. If you fail to mail your equipment in within 45 days, you will find yourself charged an additional $300.
That means if you cancel your service right after the first 90 days have ended, and don’t manage to return the equipment within the required 45 days, you’ll be charged a whopping $700.
What Are Some Common HughesNet Problems?
The most common problem HughesNet has is experiencing slower speeds than advertised.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that all satellite internet service providers struggle with this issue. The reason behind this is latency. Occasionally the signal to the satellite in orbit around Earth gets blocked or interrupted due to circumstances outside of the company’s control.
What Should You Look for in a Hughesnet Review?
Overall, internet service providers don't tend to score well when it comes to customer service. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) report placed HughesNet into its "All Others" category where it scored a 64 out of 100.
HughesNet is neither exceptional nor terrible when it comes to customer service. There are a few options at your disposal should you need to contact customer service. Those options are:
Online Support Center
Support Forum
If you have to contact customer service, there are a few tips you should keep in mind.
First, get everything in writing. If a representative tells you that you'll get a refund over the phone, ask them to email those details to you. If they can't email you, then write the representative's name down, the date of the phone call, and the quoted amount of refund.
Another tip is to get on live chat or use emails to communicate with a representative. This ensures you have all claims documented.
The last tip you should follow is to be pushy when need be. If a customer service representative isn't being helpful, ask for a manager. Remain polite, but be assertive.
Does HughesNet Offer Bundling Services?
Yes! HughesNet gives you the option to bundle your TV service with DIRECTV or DISH with its satellite internet.
Does HughesNet Gen5 Have Wi-Fi?
Yes, Gen5 comes with built-in Wi-Fi. This means you'll be able to connect your wireless devices with no problem.
There's even an option to have a separate guest Wi-Fi designated just for guests at your home. This separate Wi-Fi helps keep your home network more private and secure.
Which HughesNet Wi-Fi Modem Should You Use?
HughesNet Wi-Fi Modem offers two networks: a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. In the list, the 2.4 GHz name will start with "hug2g". The 5 GHz network name will start with "hug5g".
Both are similar but different. Which one you choose will depend upon your home setup and the devices you use.
The 2.4 GHz will work with all wireless devices. It is able to transmit data over greater distances and can pierce through walls to ensure the signal is sent. However, the 2.4 GHz band is also more likely to experience interference, so speeds aren't as high.
The 5 GHz is perfect for newer devices like a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. It struggles more to send a strong signal through solid walls. If you're in a larger house and further away from the modem, your signal strength might be lower than you’d like.
If you have a device that is streaming videos often, like a Roku, you'll want the 5 GHz network, with the assumption you can be close enough to get a strong wireless signal.
Choose a Provider That Suits You
Overall, HughesNet internet plans are dependable when it comes to how they price out and what you get. HughesNet keeps the prices consistent and doesn’t try to pull a price-hike on you after you’ve been with them for a few months.
They offer faster internet speeds than some satellite providers at decent prices. If you live far out in the country and need a satellite internet provider, HughesNet might be a worthwhile option for you to look into.
You can search through a database of providers if you want to compare packages and prices.
HughesNet is the perfect option for those who do not find many internet service providers in their area — especially those with cable or DSL networks.
HughesNet offers satellite internet connection and all you need is a clear view of the sky for connectivity. With more than a million subscribers, HughesNet is one of the biggest high-speed satellite internet service providers in the United States.
In 1971, the duo of John Puente and Dr Burton Edelson founded Hughes Network Systems in Maryland with just $40,000. Today, their turnover is around 1 billion a year, and they offer the top class service, including:
Rural areas do not always have many options for internet service. Satellite connectivity is their only way to stay in touch with the outer world through the internet. So, if you live remotely, HughesNet is your thing.
You may choose to use the 4G internet in such areas, but it is not as fast as satellite internet. Plus, 4G internet connectivity is not up to the mark unless there is sufficient demand from that specific area. In such scenarios, you are left with only one option — satellite internet. And as we all know, HughesNet has been ranked as the #1 satellite internet service provider in America for 2021 by US News.
Their coverage is present all over the US. Even if you live in Puerto Rico or Alaska, HughesNet is available.
We often cross the data limit and end up paying hefty charges. With HughesNet, you get relatively small data caps. It's common to exceed the data limit and consume more data than we are supposed to. Other companies may charge a lot for this. However, HughesNet does not ask you to pay anything extra. They only throttle the internet speed to 1-3 Mbps once you exceed the data limit.
We understand that this speed is too slow. But you can at least check emails, browse Facebook, Instagram and use WhatsApp.
HughesNet has designed plans as per your monthly data needs. Their data capping starts at 10 GB and goes to 20, 30, 40 and 50 GB data per month. They promise to offer up to 25 Mbps of speed no matter what your data limit or location is.
When choosing the plan, all you have to do is decide the required data limit, and that's it! You don't have to worry about availability in your area, speeds, and other complicated features. If you need the internet for basic use only, then there is no better and hassle-free option than HughesNet.
HughesNet makes you sign a contract for their services. However, unlike some other internet providers, they offer a 2-year price lock. This means you will not have to pay any hidden hikes for two years.
Generally, satellite internet is more expensive than DSL or cable and has smaller data caps. However, it is the only option in some rural areas in the US.
Many consider satellite internet as a last resort. If this is the case with you, HughesNet is the best option with easy to understand plans at affordable rates.
No, HughesNet offers satellite internet only. It doesn’t offer packages that include TV, either. If you need TV service in a remote area, providers like DIRECTV or DISH can serve you in addition to HughesNet.
If you go over your monthly data allotment, HughesNet won’t cut you off or charge you fees. However, it will reduce your internet speed until the next billing cycle. Be sure to choose a plan that includes enough data so you don’t experience data throttling.
Find high-speed internet plans and broadband providers in your ZIP Code.
If you go over your monthly data allotment, HughesNet won’t cut you off or charge you fees. However, it will reduce your internet speed until the next billing cycle. Be sure to choose a plan that includes enough data so you don’t experience data throttling.
William Sherman
