Q: What
is HughesNet? (Questions about Hughesnet)
A: HughesNet is the high-speed Internet solution that’s available to
everyone in the contiguous US with a clear view of the southern sky.
HughesNet uses satellite technology, not your phone line, to give you
a super-fast, always-on Internet connection. HughesNet gets you online
instantly, lets you surf and open pages faster and download files in a
fraction of the time it takes on a dial-up modem.
Q:
What connection speeds will I typically get with HughesNet?
A:
With theHome service plan, you can connect to the Internet with
maximum download speeds up to 1.0 Mbps, with typical speeds about
550 Kbps to 650 Kbps during peak times. Upload speeds, which
are capable of reaching 128 Kbps, are typically 70 Kbps to
80 Kbps during peak hours.
With the Pro plan, connect to the Internet with maximum download
speeds of up to 1.2 Mbps, with typical speeds about 700 Kbps to
800 Kbps during peak times. Upload speeds, which are capable of
reaching 200 Kbps, are typically 100 Kbps to 120 Kbps
during peak hours.
With the ProPlus plan, connect to the Internet with maximum download
speeds of up to 1.6 Mbps, with typical speeds about 800 Kbps to
1.0 Mbps during peak times. Upload speeds, which are capable of
reaching 250 Kbps, are typically 130 Kbps to 150 Kbps
during peak hours.
With the Elite plan, connect to the Internet with maximum download
speeds of up to 2.0 Mbps, with typical speeds about 1.0 Mbps
to 1.2 Mbps during peak times. Upload speeds, which are capable
of reaching 300 Kbps, are typically 165 Kbps to 180 Kbps
during peak hours.
With the ElitePlus plan, connect to the Internet with maximum download
speeds of up to 3.0 Mbps, with typical speeds about 1.6 Mbps
to 1.8 Mbps during peak times. Upload speeds, which are capable
of reaching 300 Kbps, are typically 165 Kbps to 180 Kbps
during peak hours.
Q: How can I/where can I purchase the HughesNet
product?
A: You can order online from this site or you can call a sales
representative at 800-509-8424
Q: What are my computer system requirements for HughesNet?
A: The HughesNet modem lets you connect your computer to the Internet
whether you are running a Windows® or Macintosh® operating system. In
order to ensure you get the most out of your Internet experience,
HughesNet has developed these minimum requirements:
Windows 98SE or higher or Mac OS 9.0-10.x (excluding 10.0) and
Network capability (10/100 Ethernet pre-equipped.)
Q: What operating systems are compatible with
HughesNet?
A: The HughesNet modem is compatible with both Windows and Macintosh
operating systems.
Q: Is HughesNet compatible with my Mac?
A: Yes, HughesNet is compatible. Please review our minimum
requirements list above for Macintosh systems.
Q: Can I run HughesNet on a small network? (A popular Hughesnet satellite internet FAQ)
A: Yes, you can connect multiple home computers and laptops to a
single HughesNet Internet connection. Home networking equipment may be
required and is not included with your HughesNet system. For network
setup, support, and configuration, contact your network hardware
manufacturer and/or operating system software developer (HUGHES is not
responsible for home network configuration or management).
Please understand that all computers on this network will be sharing a
single connection. Simultaneous use of high-bandwidth applications by
multiple users may result in degradation of speed and is subject to
the Fair Access Policy. If you are a DW4000 user and wish to use your
HughesNet for multiple simultaneous users, you may want to upgrade to
the HN7000 which more easily enables this configuration.
Q: Can the HughesNet certified installer hook up my
home network?
A: If you’d like, you can inquire if this option is available through
your installer when you set up your installation appointment. However,
home networks are not included or supported by HNS technical support.
Multiple simultaneous users may degrade service. Interruption of
service and speed not guaranteed
Q: What if my computer did not come with a Network
Interface Card (NIC)? What can I do?
A: Many computers can be upgraded with a 10/100 Ethernet Network
Interface Card (NIC). If you are comfortable with opening your
computer and installing hardware, most Ethernet NICs can be
self-installed. Check with your computer manufacturer for more
information on the right Ethernet NIC for your system. Make sure your
NIC is configured for "auto-negotiate."
Also, if you have an available USB port on your computer, you can
purchase a USB Ethernet adapter. This may be easier to install than a
PCI card in your computer. For a laptop, you can purchase a standard
PCMCIA card that provides an Ethernet connection, or you can purchase
a USB Ethernet adapter as well. We recommend that you upgrade your
computer to meet all of the requirements listed above to get the most
out of your Internet experience.
Q: Can I use a PCMCIA card adapter for my laptop?
A: Yes. All you need to connect your computer to the HughesNet modem
is either a 10/100 Ethernet Network Interface Card or a PCMCIA adapter
with an Ethernet connector. The HughesNet system includes an Ethernet
cable to connect your computer to the HughesNet modem.
Q: Do I still need a dial-up modem and telephone
line?
A: There is no phone line or dial-up data modem required to use your
HughesNet service.
Q: If I already have DIRECTV service, do I need to
get a new dish for HughesNet? (A popular Hughesnet satellite
internet FAQ)
A: Yes, the HughesNet® system
requires a unique dish in order to send and receive information via
satellite. You cannot use your DIRECTV dish for HughesNet high-speed
Internet service.
Q: I have DIRECTV already. Will this be on the same
bill? Any Special Deals?
A:
No, you
will not be able to receive both services on the same bill. HUGHES®,
which delivers HughesNetTM services,
is not affiliated with The DIRECTV Group. At this time, there are no
discounts for selecting both services
Q: Why is there a requirement that the HughesNet
system be professionally installed?
A: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that trained
professionals install any satellite system that both sends and
receives signals.
Q: How quickly will I be up and running?
A: On average, most customers are installed within 2 weeks of their
order. When you place your order today, your name will be provided to
a certified HughesNet installer, who will contact you within 3-5
business days. You and the installer will then work out a mutually
agreeable date and time for your installation.
Q: What is transmission latency?
A: Latency refers to the amount of time it takes a packet of data to
travel across a network. With satellite service, that data must travel
up to the satellite and back (about 45,000 miles). This round trip
adds about a half a second delay to the total time your computer takes
to communicate with a Website or host server. Therefore,
time-sensitive applications that require fractions-of-a-second user
inputs (such as multi-player “twitch” games or real-time equities
trading) are not recommended with HughesNet.
Q: Can I run a VPN over HughesNet Professional?
(A popular Hughesnet satellite internet FAQ)
A: Yes, but running a VPN client over satellite is not an ideal
configuration. If you choose to run VPN over satellite, your data
speeds may be reduced by as much as 50-75%. You can restore your
connection to full speed by simply disabling your VPN client when your
session is over. Note: HughesNet technical support does not provide
help with configuring or troubleshooting problems associated with VPN
clients.
*** HughesNet does offer an end-to-end VPN accelerator solution for
large corporations and government agencies that delivers higher
connection speeds over VPN. Go to http://vpn.HughesNet.com for more
information. For small / medium business solutions, please contact a
HughesNet Business Solutions Channel Partner to discuss your specific
requirement.
Q: Why does the service slow down when used in
conjunction with a VPN?
A: HughesNet uses sophisticated acceleration techniques to enable
high-speed performance over satellite. These acceleration techniques
require access to data packet header information, which is blocked
when IPsec-based VPNs are used. These VPNs encrypt the data and create
a secure tunnel through the HughesNet network. The encrypted data
cannot be processed by HughesNet's acceleration techniques, therefore
resulting in slower performance.
Q: Can I put this system on a boat or in an RV?
A: HughesNet Home and Professional service is available for non-mobile
(fixed) locations. To receive mobile high-speed Internet service, It
can be installed for motor home users, But it will need to be
repointed at each new location.
Q: I’m a home user of the HughesNet service. How
can I contact Customer Support when I have a question or problem ?
A: If you are a “Powered By” or VAR consumer end user, please contact
your billing provider. For HughesNet Technical Support or Customer
Service:
If you are a current HughesNet customer and are requesting customer or
technical service for HughesNet, please log onto our Website at
www.myHughesNet.com where you can chat with our technical support
staff, check your usage, test your satellite speed, or browse our
online help files.
If you are a HughesNet consumer, please go to www.myHughesNet.com to
view your account status, online invoices and activity history.
Telephone technical support for your service is also available
tollfree at 1-866-HughesNet.
