Frequently Asked Questions

• Faster Speeds: New plans with speeds up to 100 Mbps.*

• Unlimited Data: All plans include unlimited data**, so you can do more of what you love online.

• Whole Home Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 and Mesh Wi-Fi Nodes for wall-to-wall coverage.

• Reduced Latency: Exclusive Fusion plans combine satellite and wireless technologies to reduce latency for a more responsive internet experience.

• Available Where You Live: Even in places that are beyond the reach of cable and fiber.

Today, more than 1.2 million Americans depend on Hughesnet satellite internet, a top-rated Satellite Internet Provider in the US. Here are some of the reasons why:

• Fast Speeds: A fast connection to do more of everything online.

• No Hard Data Limits: If you exceed your plan data, we won’t cut you off or charge you more.†

• Built-in Wi-Fi: Easily connect your wireless devices.

• Available in More Places: Hughesnet is available where you live. Get connected now—your days of slow Internet are over!

• Trusted by More People: Hughesnet is Satellite Internet for Rural America.

The new Hughesnet plans are JUPITER Powered, which connects you to the world’s largest and most advanced commercial communications satellite so you receive faster speeds with a reliable satellite connection.

JUPITER 3 is the name of our newest satellite, the largest and most advanced commercial communications satellite ever built. Download the Jupiter 3 Fact Sheet here.

With the all-new Hughesnet, now you can do it all—connect, stream and play. Stay connected with family and friends through social media, video chat, stream TV series and movies from your favorite apps, work from home through video-conferencing and with Fusion plans you can play popular online games.

Step 1: A request for a Web page is sent from your computer to a satellite about 22,000 miles out in space. At this altitude, the satellite’s period of rotation (24 hours) matches the Earth’s, and the satellite always remains in the same spot over the Earth (geosynchronous orbit).

Step 2: The satellite contacts the Hughes Network Operations Center (NOC) which locates the specific Website you have requested.

Step 3: The Website beams the information back along the same path to the NOC, then to the satellite, and then to your computer through your Hughesnet dish and modem. Although the signal travels a great distance, there is only a fraction of a second delay during this transmission. This is similar to the delay you may have experienced when using a cell phone. In most cases, latency isn’t apparent while surfing online.

Once Hughesnet has been professionally installed, connecting to the Internet via satellite is simple!

Yes! Hughesnet satellite is available from coast to coast in the U.S. All you need is a clear view of the southern sky. Hughesnet Fusion plans are currently available in select areas of the country. Enter your address or call to see if these exciting new plans are available where you live today!

With the all-new Hughesnet, now you can do it all—connect, stream and play. Stay connected with family and friends through social media, video chat, stream TV series and movies from your favorite apps, work from home through video-conferencing and with Fusion plans you can play popular online games. For more details on satellite Internet pricing and plan descriptions, visit Plans & Pricing.

Some people may be hesitant to subscribe to satellite internet because of myths they’ve heard – or because they are unaware of the convenience and quality offered by high-speed satellite internet providers. 

Myth #1 – Satellite internet service providers don’t reach rural areas. 

Hughes offers satellite internet everywhere in the contiguous United States, including rural areas. Hughes is a reliable satellite internet provider that supplies high-speed internet service in areas where there is slow or no high-speed options. 

Myth #2 – Satellite internet does not work for online gaming. 

Online games where you take turns, such as casino or chess, turned-based role-playing games and Facebook games work well with all plans. Only Hughesnet offers Fusion plans that combine satellite and wireless technologies for a low-latency, more responsive internet experience so you can enjoy online gaming.

Myth #3 – The satellite dish must be attached to a roof. 

Although 97% of the time satellite antennas are attached to the roof of a home, satellite internet service providers don’t always require it. A certified Hughesnet installer is able to determine the best location on (or near) your residence where the satellite dish should be mounted. 

Myth #4 – When it is cloudy, satellite internet doesn’t work. 

Your satellite internet connection is not affected by most clouds. Satellite internet from Hughesnet is only affected by weather in extreme circumstances such as heavy storms or unusually dense clouds. If you have difficulties with your service, contact Hughesnet Customer Care and Technical Support staff.

Myth #5 – Satellite Internet equipment is big and complicated.

The bulky eight-foot wide satellite dishes from the 1980s are a thing of the past, at least when it comes to the needs of most businesses. Hughesnet customers only need a computer, a modem, two coaxial cables, and the satellite antenna. The antenna is about the same size as most ordinary satellite TV dishes.

Satellite plans use the latest satellite technologies to allow you to stay connected, stream movies and play online games. Hughesnet Fusion plans blend the best of satellite and wireless technologies into a single connection. With a Fusion plan, your service feels faster and more responsive, especially when using time-sensitive applications. You can enjoy real-time gaming with a low-latency connection that won’t spoil the fun.

With satellite internet, requests travel a long distance from your device to a satellite and back. This distance causes a slight delay known as latency. This delay doesn’t impact most online activities but is noticeable when watching videos, browsing content-rich sites and video conferencing. Low-latency is when there is less lag or buffering when sending latency sensitive requests. Hughesnet Fusion plans combine satellite and wireless technologies for a low-latency internet experience, so you can stream video and enjoy smooth video-conferencing, with less buffering.

Multiplayer games requiring rapid response are only supported with Hughesnet Fusion plans. However, console-based gaming is not recommended with any service plans because they quickly consume your Priority Data.

Customers sometimes want to enhance or customize their installation to specific requirements, and sometimes the location may require extra work above and beyond standard procedures. All costs for non-standard work or equipment will be itemized by the installer using a HughesNet Installation Reference Sheet; they will require your authorization signature before proceeding. Nonstandard fees will be added to your account. Please be sure to mention anything that may make the installation “nonstandard” when the installer calls to confirm your appointment. Some examples of nonstandard items are:

• Wireless or hard-wired networking (beyond what is offered by the built-in Wi-Fi modem)

• Configuration of your computer(s) to work with a wireless or hard-wired network (beyond what is offered by the built-in Wi-Fi Modem)

• Special purchase of materials, molding, or cosmetic hardware to hide exposed cables

• Remove, repair, or build structures to hide or support the HughesNet system

• Multiple site surveys requiring more than the installation visit to determine possible HughesNet dish locations

• Renting lifts for tall commercial locations not accessible by ladders

Yes. There can be several spots where the satellite dish can be installed, and your installer will seek permission to install the equipment in the correct location. Also, depending on the type of location, you may need to provide access or security clearance for the in.

If you have an existing internet connection, go to orderstatus.hughesnet.com to check on your appointment. Otherwise please call the Hughes Pre-installation department at 1-866-774-6580.

In most cases, the necessary equipment is installed within five days of purchasing your service. Most customers have the opportunity to schedule an installation date at time of order, or you will be contacted within three days to schedule an appointment.

Residential installation typically takes 1-4 hours while Business installation typically takes 4-6 hours.

Learn more about our satellite internet installation process.

On average, most customers are installed within 5 days of their order. With the launch of the New Hughesnet, installation times may be longer due to the surge of demand for this service. Most customers have the opportunity to schedule an installation date at time of order. However, if a preferred date is not available, a Hughesnet installer will contact you within three days of placing your order to work out a mutually agreeable date and time for your installation. If less than two weeks is too soon for you, just place your order when you’re ready for Hughesnet high-speed Internet service!

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that trained professionals install any satellite system that both sends and receives signals.

As a satellite ISP, Hughes strives to offer a reliable high-speed Internet option with a customer-friendly and easy-to-use service. This list of glossary terms is meant to familiarize you with satellite Internet and answer questions you may have.

Bandwidth – This term describes the amount of data that can be sent through a particular Internet connection or network. High-bandwidth Internet connections (faster than 768 kilobits per second) are often called “high-speed Internet.”

Bit – A single binary value; a bit is the smallest piece of computer data. Many bits are needed to transmit even the simplest file.

Broadband – Broadband refers to an Internet connection with download speed in excess of 25Mbps.

DSL (digital subscriber line) – Allows user to access the Internet by way of existing telephone lines.

Ethernet – A commonly used local area network (LAN) that connects computers to one another and/or connects a computer to the Internet.

Firewall – Software that protects your computer network from outside users.

High-speed Internet option – An ISP (that is, satellite, cable, or DSL) offers an Internet service option that provides enough bandwidth for high-speed Internet use.

IP (Internet protocol) – Programming language that serves as the backbone of the Internet. “IP” is short for “IP address.”

IP Address – Every computer has its own IP number, which acts as the computer’s identification. IP addresses are unique for each computer connected to the Internet. They are much like a physical address.

ISP (Internet Service Provider) – Each ISP offers service options to customers that range in bandwidth, type of connection, and other options such as email, storage space, and virus protection.

Kilobit – 1024 bits of data. Internet speeds are often measured in kilobits per second (kbps).

Megabit – One million bits

Modem – A modem connects your computer to a phone line, cable, or satellite. The modem acts as an interpreter between the two devices so that digital messages can be sent from your computer to another computer or to a satellite dish.

Satellite dish – An antenna that sends and receives data.

Satellite Internet – Using a modem, coaxial cables, and a satellite dish, computer users are able to access high-speed Internet.

Satellite ISP – An Internet Service Provider that offers a satellite Internet connection to homes or businesses. A satellite ISP is particularly beneficial for rural residents.

For Hughesnet Technical Support or Customer Care, please log on to www.myHughesNet.com This site will also enable you to view your account status, online invoices, and activity history. Telephone Customer Care and technical support is also available toll-free at 866-347-3292.

For HughesNet Technical Support or Customer Care, please log on to www.myHughesNet.com This site will also enable you to view your account status, online invoices, and activity history. Telephone Customer Care and technical support is also available toll-free at 1-866-347-3292.