Common Satellite Internet Service Questions

1. Who is HughesNet Satellite Internet?

HughesNet is a satellite Internet provider that has more than 30 years experience in satellite technology and can offer satellite Internet to home and business users. This is a high speed Internet connection that is capable of fast downloads and uploads, and is always connected. For home users there is no longer a slow dialup connection and businesses can benefit from the fast data transfers and the advantage that it does not depend on telephone lines.

2. Is satellite Internet service fast?

A home user can expect to see download speeds that can reach 1000Kbps and upload speeds up to 128 Kbps. This is a large difference from the top speed of dialup connections. The HughesNet professional satellite Internet packages have the capability of 1.2Mbps for downloads and uploading speeds of 200Kbps. The HughesNet Elite packages have download speeds of 2.0Kbps and upload speeds up to 300Kbps and the Elite Premium with downloads up to 5Mbps.

3. What is the connection speed for satellite Internet?

The high speed satellite Internet speeds can vary and be lower during peak user times. Home users can expect download speeds as high as 1000Kbps and during peak times 650 to 750kbps. Upload speeds for home users can be as high as 128Kbps and at peak times they can be 70Kpbs to 80 Kbps.

The home office that has the HugesNet Professional satellite Internet will have download speeds up to 1.2Mbps and 800 Kbps to 900Kbps during peak hours.

4. Do I have to have a dialup modem and telephone lines free?

There is no need to use a telephone line when you have HughesNet satellite Internet. This type of Internet service does not use phone lines, instead it uses the satellite dish mounted outside to send and receive the data signals it needs.

5. If I have satellite TV installed can I use that dish for satellite Internet?

No, it is not possible to use a television satellite dish for Internet purposes; these are two different types of dishes. The Internet satellite dish is capable of sending and receiving signals; the television satellite dish is only capable of receiving data.

6. Who installs HugesNet Satellite Internet - do I have to do it?

No, homeowners can not install their HughesNet satellite dish, a professional certified installer must install HughesNet satellite Internet. This is because of rules of the Federal Communications Commission. Their rules for satellite dishes, are a certified professional must install ones that both send and receive signals.

7. I have a business what is there a difference between high-speed providers and HughesNet?

HughesNet Satellite Internet is perfect for the business that is located where DSL is not and for surfing the Internet, email, downloading and uploading. It is not the type of Internet service that should be used for web hosting and related uses.

8. Is there a Satellite Internet package that is right for my business?

HighesNet has several business packages that are right for the home office, the larger business. Each package offers different speeds for downloading and uploading to fit the needs of the business.

9. Is it easy to order HughesNet Satellite Internet for home and My Business?

Yes, ordering has been made very easy whether it is for home or business. Ordering can be done on the HughesNet Satellite Internet website that is secure or HughesNet Satellite Internet can be ordered by calling the toll free number.

10. Are there special computer requirements to use satellite Internet?

There are some requirements for computers using HughesNet Satellite Internet, if running a Windows operating system it must be Windows 98SE or above and if using a Mac the operating system must be OS 10.1 or higher to be compatible. Computers also must have Network capability and a 10/100 Ethernet card.

11. Is it possible to setup a network with satellite Internet?

It is possible to have a small computer network with satellite Internet, although it may require extra equipment that is not part of the HughesNet Satellite Internet equipment. It is also not a part of the satellite Internet installation package and it would need to be discussed with the professional installer if you require it to be installed. The speed that satellite Internet might also be slower with several computers sharing the same connection.

12. My computer does not have a Network Interface card can I still get satellite Internet?

It is possible to install a 10/100 Ethernet Network Interface Card in a computer or an adapter can be purchased to use one in an existing USB port. If the computer is a laptop there are PCMCIA cards that can also be used with a USB port adaptor.

13. What if I want to use a VPN client?

It is possible to use a VPN client with HughesNet Satellite Internet and a noticeable decrease in speed may be noticed when it is in use. This is why if using a VPN it is recommended that when choosing a HughesNet Satellite Internet package that the Elite package is used. The decrease in speed can be up to 50 to 75 percent.

14. Latency Transmission is important is there anything I should know?

Latency involves the data that is sent to the HughesNet satellite prior to the computer communicating with a website, this can be an approximate half second delay. Because of this delay, there are some things the Internet service is used for that is satellite Internet is not recommended. This includes real time trading and some types of twitch games, the delay can cause problems with these time accurate activities.

All HughesNet service plans require a 24-month service commitment.
** Free standard installation valid on new Lease option only. Not valid with the Purchase option. Limited time offer.
† Speeds based on the Elite Plus service plan and compared to dial-up speeds of 53 kbps. Actual speeds may vary and are not guaranteed.
$100 mail-in rebate applies to the purchase of any new HughesNet system. Not applicable with the Lease option. HughesNet equipment and service must be purchased between 07/01/09 and 09/30/09. HughesNet service must remain active for a minimum of 31 days. Rebate submission must be received by 12/31/09. Other restrictions may apply. Offer void wherever prohibited or restricted by law. Visit www.rebate.hughesnet.com for details.
‡ HughesNet is available anywhere in the contiguous U.S. with a clear view of the southern sky, Alaska and Hawaii excluded.