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HUGHESNET QUIK LINKS
LINKSTAR QUIK LINKS
MISC. LINKS
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WHAT IS IT ?
HughesNet is a two-way high speed satellite Internet Access provider that
uses a .74m (30" wide) or larger satellite dish to send and receive Internet
Access.
An indoor unit or "satellite modem" is connected to the satellite dish with
two RG6 Coaxial Cables (one for receive and one for transmit). The
satellite modem has an Ethernet port on it that connects to your PC, MAC, wired
or wireless router, switch, hub, etc. to provide the connected devices with
Internet Access via a standard Ethernet cable.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST ?
You can get into a HughesNet System for as little as $299.95 after the $100
mail-in-rebate, and a standard professional installation is usually included in
that price if you qualify for that promotion, which requires a debit card or
credit card to secure payment, and an 18 month service contract. Monthly
Internet Access is available for as low as $59.98 for a maximum of 700k
downloads x 128k upload plans. Other plans are available to provide you
with faster speeds, etc., and a larger .98m Commercial dish is also available if
you have more demanding Internet needs than just surfing and e-mailing!
ADVANTAGES...
HughesNet uses a two-way satellite system to send / receive information from
the Internet, so in order to work, the HughesNet system must be able to see one
of the satellites that provide this type of access. HughesNet has several
satellites that we can point your dish towards, and they are usually high enough
in the sky to be able to get a signal from almost anywhere with a clear southern
view of the skies, so even if you cannot get DSL, Cable Internet, Point-to-Point
or other types of High Speed Access, HughesNet will probably be the answer for
you!
DISADVANTAGES...
Unlike DSL or Cable Internet which connects over a telephone line or cable TV
cable, the HughesNet High Speed Satellite Internet System communicates to a
satellite that's about 22,0000 miles away, and then back to Earth which is
another 22,000 miles or so. Because of this, some delays know as
"latency" occur, which make the HughesNet system a bit unstable and usually does
not properly support such things as VOIP (telephone over Internet), VPN (Virtual
Private Networking), Remote Desktop and other "bandwidth intense applications."
NOTE: We offer bigger, stronger, more powerful and more flexible
systems and services to fit your needs if you require VOIP, VPN, Remote Desktop
and other capabilities! Contact us for information or check out our
LinkStar, and iDirect systems and services!
REQUIREMENTS...
Here are some important facts to consider prior to your purchase:
 | HughesNet systems require a CLEAR view to the southern skies.
Fortunately there are a few satellites to choose from if the default one is
not available to you, however, most installers will charge an additional fee
if a satellite change is required as it will take an additional 30 - 45
minutes to perform. NO... you cannot expect the system to work
properly if it's looking through bushes, braches or trees because although it
may work when it's dry out, it won't when it's wet!
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| HughesNet systems Advertise MAXIMUM SPEEDS, not AVERAGE SPEEDS.
HughesNet Systems DO NOT OFFER DSL SPEEDS, so if you are use to using DSL or
Cable Internet, the system will be a bit slower, especially on the upload
side, unless you go with the higher priced Commercial Service Packages and
Systems. If you are use to Dial-up speeds, you will love the HughesNet
system, but remember that when you purchase a 700k x 128k plan, your "average
speeds" may be more like 500k x 70k unless it's 2am and you are one of the few
people online at that time as the HughesNet system is a "shared bandwidth"
system and up to 400 other people can be sharing your connection to the
satellite at any given moment!
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| HughesNet systems are EXTREMELY RELIABLE, but ONLY IF THEY ARE INSTALLED
PROPERLY! We have installed over 650 HughesNet systems and have had
problems with possibly 5 or 6 of them that were due to equipment failure or an
installation related issue. The rest work fine and achieve the speeds
that the customers were told to expect since we do not "over-sell" the system.
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| HughesNet Systems require a SOLID mount, as even a centimeter of dish
movement can knock you off-line! No, we cannot mount them on a tree, and
no, we cannot mount them on a deck post or fence post unless it's about 2'
wide and only then if there is a place to hook the support brackets so that
the dish will not sag over time. If we need to mount it on a pole, a 2
3/8" Outside Diameter SCHEDULE 40, METAL PIPE is required. We DO NOT
TYPICALLY install the HughesNet Systems on Exhaust Pipe or Fence Poles as they
tend to move in the breeze. If that is the only pole available at the
time or location, we recommend filling it with concrete in order to sturdy it
up to give it a better chance of properly supporting the HughesNet dish.
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| HughesNet Requires a debit or credit card for payment, a 24 month
contract to service is required for all promotional offers, and there is a
significant penalty for early cancellation.
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| The FREE STANDARD INSTALLATION includes mounting the dish on a south
facing wall of your home and running up to 120' of dual coaxial cable around
your home through one exterior wall to your computer. If crawl space,
attic runs, wall drops, pole mounts, higher mounts, etc. are required...
additional charges will apply! Return trips and additional mileage may
also be charged if you are outside of the installers "local service area!"
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| While the standard residential HughesNet system will support many
computers connected to it at the same time, keep in mind that it will only
support ONE OR TWO CONCURRENT USERS and speeds will be affected with each
additional user. If you are looking for a solution for more than two
computers at a time, we suggest looking into a Commercial HughesNet system or
possibly even a different system such as a Linkstar or iDirect system to
ensure that your needs will be met!
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| The standard residential HughesNet system will be affected by snowfall,
rainfall and even by heavy cloud cover. If you have important Internet
Access requirements, you may want to consider the HughesNet Commercial System
or an alternative solution such as our Linkstar or iDirect systems! |
WHERE TO PURCHASE...
We recommend purchasing your system from a local HughesNet Dealer and
Installation Provider so that you have the name and number of someone to contact
should you ever have problems with your HughesNet Satellite Internet System.
Many satellite television system installers also install HughesNet or at least
may know of a HughesNet dealer / installation provider in your area! We
provide HughesNet sales and installations within 50 miles of Kalispell, Montana
and elsewhere for additional travel / mileage fees. We also offer the
systems for sale online via our secure online store at
www.montanasatellitesupply.com
so that you can have an installer in your area set you up, yet we will be just a
Toll Free phone call away should you even need assistance!
HUGHESNET INSTALLATION...
It is extremely important to make sure that your HughesNet system has been
installed correctly. Your HughesNet Certified Installer should:
| Go over the installation requirements and any additional "non-standard"
installation charges that may apply to your installation. |
| Your HughesNet system should be installed on a secure tri-mast mount, pole
mount, or other HughesNet acceptable mount in a safe area away from kids and
animals and in a location where it will be best protected from wind, snow, ice
and other elements that may cause dish movement or damage.
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| Your HughesNet system should be grounded to the main building ground point
or another acceptable grounding point in order to prevent static buildup which
can cause signal reception and transmission problems. The coaxial cable
run should run through a HughesNet approved grounding block, again to prevent
static build-up and supposedly to protect your equipment from a lightening
strike!
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| The coaxial cable connections should use compression type fittings and be
filled with sealant and wrapped in sealant tape in order to prevent corrosion,
etc.
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| The HughesNet system should be peaked properly for both receive signal
strength and cross-pole. (The cross-pole strength is actually more
important than the receive signal strength as far as keeping you online in
adverse weather conditions.
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| For protection of your home or business, the "point-of-entry" of the
coaxial cables should be sealed to prevent moisture and little bugs from
entering your walls |
Need more information ? Contact us!
HughesNet Service Request Form
HughesNet Commissioning Rules
HughesNet Setup / Activation Guide
HughesNet Satellite
Change Request Form
HughesNet
Parts & Supplies
• Overview • Features & Concerns • Requirements • Equipment • Monthly Service • Installation • Upgrades • Rebates • HughesNet Account Request Form • Satellite Change Request Form • Rental • Support • FAQ •
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