Hughesnet Internet Review

Hughesnet advertises fast and reliable internet, even in hard-to-reach places. Is it true? For how much? Find out in this article.

It's the middle of the workday. But instead of working, you're on hold on the phone because your internet failed during a meeting.

Always having to call your provider because of terrible internet? You can say goodbye to that with Hughesnet.

Hughesnet boasts top-of-the-line satellite internet that can handle a work-from-home setup. It even works well in the rural areas.

Keep reading for more details about the internet speeds, pricing, and why it can be worth it.

What is Hughesnet?

Hughesnet is a satellite internet provider catering to hard-to-reach rural areas in the U.S. It has been providing internet service for over 50 years. And this longevity in the business can make it trustworthy.

Recently, it introduced a Fusion plan, which combines satellite and wireless internet to give you a more seamless and reliable connection. But more about that later.

Is it the best option for you, specifically? Read on.

Who is Hughesnet Best For?

Hughesnet is best for those who live in far out rural America where other internet providers don't reach. Just don't expect super-fast speeds since it uses satellite internet.

Who Should Skip It?

Satellite internet is unfortunately notorious for its unreliability since it's easily affected by weather. If you live in other areas, urban areas for example, where you have access to other internet providers (cable or fiber), then you're better off with those options.

This is especially true if you perform data-heavy activities (like streaming in HD, video conferences, downloading huge files).

Additionally, if you compare the prices of fiber internet from, say, Optimum, you'll get 300 Mbps for about the same price as the 50 Mbps plan of Hughesnet.

To help you further weigh the benefits, here are the pros and cons of subscribing to Hughesnet.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Simple plans
  
• Available in rural areas

Cons:

• Slower internet speeds
  
• Low priority data
  
• Early termination fee
  
• No self-installation option
  
• Common complaints about customer service

Does a slow internet speed equate to affordable pricing? Read on.

Plans, Pricing, and Internet Speeds

Hughesnet offers 3 plans: Select, Elite, and Fusion. Both Select and Elite are satellite-only internet, but Fusion is a combination of satellite and wireless internet. Check out their prices below.^[2]

Plans and Prices

You can access unlimited internet at varying speeds. But unfortunately, Hughesnet offers lower priority data caps compared to its competitors.

Internet Speeds and Data Caps

Add-ons

Need more services? Here's what you can get and for how much:

Express Repair
$8.99/mo to $12.99/mo^[3]

This is an add-on that helps you get speedy service when any internet interruptions occur. You get:

• 24/7 technical phone support
  
• In-home service by a certified technician
  
• Discounts for onsite repair visits

Hughesnet Voice
Starts at $29.95 /mo for a 2-year commitment; $39.95/mo if no commitment^[4]

Using your satellite internet, Hughesnet offers a phone service add-on that doesn't use up your internet plan's data.

• Can keep your current number
  
• Unlimited calling within the U.S. and Canada
  
• Standard features including Call Waiting, Caller ID, Outbound Caller ID, Call Forwarding, Call Block, Simultaneous Ring, Enhanced Voicemail

Norton 360 Deluxe
Starts at $5.99 for up to 5 devices; $6.99 for up to 10 devices^[5]

This is an internet security service that protects against malware, spyware, or any other online threats to your devices. It includes:

• Parental Control
  
• Dark Web Monitoring
  
• Password Manager

Hughesnet Billing Information

To prepare you for the total cost of Hughesnet, take note of all the fees you may see on your bill.

Make sure to budget for:

• Internet plan plus add-ons ($49.99 to $119.99+)
  This is the price you pay every month for your plan as well as add-ons. Remember that there's a promotional fee, so prices will change after the promotion period.

• Taxes
  These are any governmental/non-governmental taxes that you pay on top of your plan. The amount varies depending on the laws of your state.

• Equipment fee ($14.99/mo to $299.99+)
  Renting equipment starts at $14.99/mo. But you can purchase your equipment starting at $299.99.

• Installment fee ($199.99)
  This is a required one-time fee you pay to have your equipment installed by the Hughesnet technician.

Is Hughesnet Worth It?

Hughesnet is worth it if you have no other internet providers in your area. Since they only offer satellite internet, you'll lose in terms of reliability and affordability (for the speed you get).

If you live in far rural areas where you don't have access to fiber or cable internet, then Hughesnet is a pretty good option since it's one of the more trusted rural internet providers. Plus they have cheaper options than other rural internet providers.

If you're convinced that Hughesnet offers what you need, here's how you can get started.

How to Order Hughesnet Internet

Purchase a plan from Hughesnet by doing the following:

1. Go to the Hughesnet website
   
2. At the homepage, enter your address and click "Find Plans"
   
3. Select a plan
   
4. Fill out your name, phone number, email
   
5. Choose optional services (if any)
   
6. Lease or buy equipment
   
7. Pick an installation date
   
8. Enter your card information and pay for your plan

If you're no longer interested in Hughesnet, there's an easy cancellation process. Check it out below.

How to Cancel a Hughesnet Subscription

To cancel your plan with Hughesnet, you just need to call their hotline at 866-347-3292.

You also need to return any equipment you rented (modem, power pack, radio from the dish) within 45 days from cancellation.

Otherwise, you'll be charged a fee:^[6]

• $300 for Select and Elite plans
  
• $500 for Fusion plan

Still unsure of Hughesnet? Check out what customers have to say about them.

Hughesnet Customer Reviews

Like other internet providers, Hughesnet has mixed reviews. Other rural internet providers (like Viasat) have better reviews.

Most of Hughesnet's bad reviews revolve around:

• Expensive cancellation fees
  
• Poor customer service
  
• Slower than advertised speed

Check out what Lisaa thinks of Hughesnet:

But Hughesnet also gets good reviews on their:

• Transparency with fees
  
• Pretty good reliability in rural areas
  
• Fast installation process

Here's what James has to say:

Customer Service

If you're experiencing any problems with your internet, you can call customer support at 866-482-1777. They're available 24/7.

Or if you want to inquire about new products, then give their sales team a call at 844-202-7220.

How Hughesnet Compares

If Hughesnet doesn't seem like the right fit, you can explore other options. Here's how Hughesnet compares to its competitors.

Hughesnet vs. Viasat

Both Hughesnet and Viasat are good options for rural internet. But you get more plans with Hughesnet, which means you may be able to find a more suitable option based on your budget.

Hughesnet's price range is also cheaper compared to Viasat. Because it offers tiered pricing, you're not stuck paying one price for varying internet speeds (unlike with Viasat).

That said, Viasat offers a faster speed of up to 150 Mbps, while you're limited to 100 Mbps with Hughesnet.

Hughesnet vs. Spectrum

If you live in urban areas, then you're better off with Spectrum. Neither offers fiber internet, but Spectrum has faster speeds.

Both Spectrum and Hughesnet have pretty similar customer reviews too. So choosing really boils down to where you're located and the speed you're looking to get.

Unlike Hughesnet, which is available in far-out rural places, Spectrum probably isn't available in those areas.

Bottom Line

Hughesnet is a pretty good option if you live in far-out rural areas. It has pretty good customer reviews and cheaper options compared to other rural internet providers.

In summary, you can choose from:

• Select: starts at $49.99 for 12 months; up to 50 Mbps
  
• Elite: starts at $64.99 for 12 months; up to 100 Mbps
  
• Fusion (satellite and wireless): starts at $94.99 for 12 months; up to 100 Mbps

That said, if you live in urban areas, you have better options to choose from in terms of price and speed. Plus, there are a ton of internet providers that have no data caps or contracts.

References