HughesNet satellite Internet systems offer several features with equipment and service that make them an excellent satellite Internet service provider:

Experience - HughesNet, (formerly DirecWay, DirecPC) pioneered satellite Internet via satellite for residential markets.  Their background and experience in the field more than any other satellite Internet Service Provider.

Popularity / Customer Base - HughesNet ... as DirecWay... has more satisfied customers than any other residential satellite Internet provider offering.

Payment Plan - HughesNet offers a 99/99 plan for the standard residential system.  Instead of paying the $ 399.98 upfront equipment and installation costs, qualifying customers can pay just $ 99.00 at the time of the installation, then $ 99.00 per month for the duration of the contract term which depends upon the system and service selected.  Payment must be made monthly via credit card auto-pay, and payment management is handled online at the HughesNet web site.

Free E-mail accounts - HughesNet offers customers 5 - 10 free web based or pop3 e-mail accounts depending upon the service plan.

Warranty - HughesNet guarantees equipment for 1 year from the date of installation or for the duration of any payment plan contract.

Support - New support plans are available (sold separately) that allow HughesNet customers to receive next day service.

Satellite Television Capabilities - Your HughesNet .74m dish can be equipped with optional kits that allow the dish to receive satellite television programming.

Fast Turn-around - Some systems take a week to 10 days from order to installation.  HughesNet systems arrive within 2 business days of your order and can usually be installed and activated by the 3rd business day.

Our Concerns:

Installation:  As with any satellite system, be sure of your installers' experience and capabilities!  If a HughesNet system is not installed correctly and to specifications it may cause frustrating service outages and connectivity issues, slow speeds and more.  This includes proper grounding, proper cabling, solid and sealed connections, and support brackets or pole mount installation, etc.

Fair Access Policy (FAP):  Agreement Required that may restrict upload / download rates and amounts

Service Agreement: 15 month Commitment to service required for all accounts

Bandwidth / Latency / Ratio:  The standard system and service will not properly support VPN, VOIP, Remote-Desktop applications, etc.

Support:  Lengthy hold times at times (5 - 20 minutes).  Based in India, somewhat lacking ENGLISH language talents!

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