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HughesNet
General FAQs
HughesNet
Commercial Plan FAQs
HughesNet General FAQs
Q:
What is HughesNet?
A:
HughesNet is the high-speed
Internet solution that’s
available to every growing
business in the contiguous US
with a clear view of the
southern sky. HughesNet uses
satellite technology, not your
phone line, to give you a
fast, always-on Internet
connection—so you have instant
access to the
business-critical information
you need.
Order HughesNet
 Q:
How fast are HughesNet services
for your home?
A:
The HughesNet Professional
service plan provides download
speeds up to 1 Mbps and upload
speeds up to 200 Kbps. The
HughesNet Home service plan
delivers download speeds up to
700 Kbps and upload speeds up
to 128 Kbps. All Internet
technologies (satellite or
land-based) share available
network bandwidth in one way
or another; therefore, actual
speeds may vary.
Stated
speeds are not guaranteed.
Actual upload speed will
likely be lower than speed
indicated during peak hours.
Download speeds may also be
temporarily slowed in cases
when patterns of system usage
exceed the download threshold
for an extended period of
time. See the HughesNet
Fair
Access Policy for
more information. If you
choose to run VPN over
satellite, your data speeds
may be reduced by as much as
50-75%. Despite the high
speeds available through
HughesNet, time-sensitive
applications, such as
multi-player twitch games, are
also not recommended over
HughesNet.
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Q:
What connection speeds will I
typically get with HughesNet?
A:
With the HughesNet Home service
plan, you may enjoy download
speeds up to 700Kbps, with
typical speeds of about
500Kbps to 600Kbps during peak
times. Upload speeds, which
are capable of reaching
128Kbps, are typically 70Kbps
to 80Kbps during peak hours.
With the
HughesNet Professional plan,
connect your home office to
the Internet with maximum
download speeds of up to
1.0Mbps, with typical speeds
about 650Kbps to 750Kbps
during peak times. Upload
speeds, which are capable of
reaching 200Kbps, are
typically 100Kbps to 125Kbps
during peak hours.
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Q: What are my
computer system requirements
for HughesNet?
A:
HughesNet 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:
 Q:
Can I get DIRECTV and HughesNet
on the same dish?
A:
No. We have
discontinued this
configuration as HughesNet
works best when operated on a
dedicated satellite dish.
You may have a 2-Dish solution
that allows you to get DIRECTV
on one dish and HughesNet on
the other dish. The cost
is the same and the
performance is better.
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Q:
Is HughesNet compatible with my
Mac?
A:
Yes, HughesNet is compatible
with Mac OS 10.1 or higher.
10/100 Ethernet connectivity
is also required.
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Q:
Can I use HughesNet to run a
small network?
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 HughesNet Fair
Access Policy.
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Q:
Can the HughesNet-certified
installer set up my home
network?
A: If
you’d like, you can inquire if
this option is available
through your installer when
you set your installation
appointment. However, home
networks are not included or
supported by HNS technical
support. Multiple simultaneous
users may degrade service.
Uninterrupted service and
stated speeds not guaranteed.
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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.
Order HughesNet
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.
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Q:
Do I still need a dial-up
modem and telephone line?
A:
No. There is no phone line or
dial-up data modem required to
use your HughesNet service.
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 Q:
If I already have DIRECTV
service, do I need to get a
new dish for HughesNet?
A:
Yes. The HughesNet system
requires a unique dish in
order to send and receive
information via satellite
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 Network
Systems, which delivers
HughesNet services, is 50%
owned by The DIRECTV Group,
but operated as an independent
company. At this time, there
are no discounts for selecting
both services.
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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.
Order HughesNet
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 5
days. You and the installer
will then work out a mutually
agreeable date and time for
your installation.
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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-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.
Order HughesNet
Q:
Can I run a VPN over HughesNet?
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.
Order HughesNet
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.
Order HughesNet
Q: Can I put
this system on a boat or in an
RV?
A:
HughesNet All service is
available for non-mobile
(fixed) locations.
HughesNet
Commercial Service Plans
 Q:
What is HughesNet?
A:
HughesNet is the high-speed
Internet solution that’s
available to every growing
business in the contiguous US
with a clear view of the
southern sky. HughesNet uses
satellite technology, not your
phone line, to give you a
fast, always-on Internet
connection—so you have instant
access to the
business-critical information
you need.
Order HughesNet
Q:
How fast are HughesNet Business
services?
A:
FAST—a world apart from your
dial-up connection! HughesNet
offers two service plans for
business. HughesNet Business
Internet provides maximum
download speeds of 2.0Mbps,
and maximum upload speeds of
500Kbps. HughesNet Small Office
service plan provides maximum
download speeds of 1.5Mbps,
and maximum upload speeds of
300Kbps. You’ll download files
in seconds, access email
instantly, and share
information easier and faster
with customers, partners and
suppliers.
Order HughesNet
Q: What
connection speeds will I
typically get with HughesNet?
A: With
the HughesNet Small Office
service plan, you may enjoy
maximum download speeds of
1.5Mbps, with typical speeds
of about 800Kbps during peak
times. Upload speeds, which
are capable of reaching
300Kbps, are typically about
185Kbps during peak hours.
With the
HughesNet Business Internet
plan, connect your office to
the Internet with maximum
download speeds of 2.0Mbps,
with typical speeds about
1.2Mbps during peak times.
Upload speeds, which are
capable of reaching 500Kbps,
are typically 300Kbps during
peak hours.
Order HughesNet
Q:
How fast are HughesNet Business
services compared to other
high-speed services?
A:
HughesNet provides download
speed performance similar to
other broadband services. The
user experience is excellent
when downloading Web pages,
emails, or large data files.
At the same time, satellite
"upload" speeds (for sending
data) are more appropriate for
general Internet use, such as
browsing the Internet, email,
online ordering, etc. and not
appropriate for higher speed
demands of Website hosting, as
an example.
Order HughesNet
Q: Which
HughesNet service is right for
my business?
A:
HughesNet delivers a wide range
of innovative and scalable
network solutions to
enterprises and
small-to-medium businesses,
and allows consumers and
teleworkers everywhere to
enjoy the excitement and
convenience of high-speed
Internet from home.
-
For small
home offices,
HughesNet Professional
service
is generally recommended.
-
For small
businesses looking for
connectivity at a commercial
location for 5 to
10 concurrent users,
HughesNet offers two service
plans:
Order HughesNet
Q:
What is the difference between
HughesNet business service
plans and the consumer service
plans?
A:
SPEED! The HughesNet Small
Office and Business Internet
service plans provide larger
transmission resources than
the Home and Professional
plans. As such, they provide a
higher level of overall
performance for a multi-user,
small business environment.
Some of the key differences
include: commercial
installation of a slightly
larger antenna for faster
upload and download speeds and
higher reliability; the
ability to download larger
files more frequently; a
greater number of open TCP
sessions; additional static IP
addresses and on-site
maintenance available.
Order HughesNet
Q: What are my
computer system requirements
HughesNet?
A:
HughesNet works with virtually
any computer and is simple to
use. 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, your computer
should have the following
minimum properties
Order HughesNet
Q:
Is HughesNet compatible with my
Mac?
A:
Yes, HughesNet is compatible
with Mac OS 10.1 or higher.
10/100 Ethernet connectivity
is also required
Order HughesNet
Q:
Can I run a small local area
network with HughesNet?
A:
Yes, you can connect multiple
computers and laptops to a
single HughesNet Internet
connection, so your staff can
enjoy fast downloading and
instant access to the
Internet. HughesNet Small
Office is optimized to
accommodate up to 5 concurrent
users, while HughesNet Business
Internet is optimized for up
to 10 concurrent users.
Additional networking
equipment, not included in
your HughesNet system, may be
required. For network setup,
support, and configuration
contact your network hardware
manufacturer and/or operating
system software developer.
HUGHES is not responsible for
network configuration or
management.
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 HughesNet
Fair
Access Policy.
Order HughesNet
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.
Order HughesNet
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.
Order HughesNet
Q:
Do I still need a dial-up
modem and telephone line?
A:
No. HughesNet delivers
high-speed Internet access via
satellite, so you have instant
access to the
business-critical information
you need without dialing-in.
You do not need a phone line
or dial-up data modem to
access the Internet when you
use your HughesNet service.
Order HughesNet
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 two-way satellite system.
Order HughesNet
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. Most back-office
applications, e-commerce
transactions, and common
business applications work
very well over HughesNet.
Business applications that
require response times in
fractions-of-a-second (such as
web hosting, VOIP, and video
conferencing) are not
recommended over satellite.
Order HughesNet
Q:
Can I run a VPN using HughesNet
for business?
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.
Order HughesNet
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.
Order HughesNet |