HughesNet is one of the leading satellite providers of internet services in the United States. Satellite internet is well suited to offer broadband connections to remote and rural areas where cables and fibers cannot be covered. However, satellite internet is often said to have some drawbacks as far as the speed is concerned. Thus questions that may arise include what are the Hughesnet internet plans download and upload speeds in its fastest offering?
HughesNet has offered the Maximum Download Speed information.
Downloading with the HughesNet satellite internet connection allows for a maximum of 25 Mbps (megabits per second). Their "Premium" plans let one attain this download speed. Considered quite high speed, 25 Mbps beats many rural DSL fixed wireless internet offerings. Web users may quickly download web material, view HD movies, do voice-over-internet protocol conversations, and engage in basic online gaming.
Still, HughesNet claims that 25 Mbps is the fastest speed available; this only holds in cases where the network is empty of other loads. The greatest connection speeds you may reach depend on the time of day, the temperature at the time of the download, network traffic, a host of other factors, and so on. Most HughesNet users have reportedly said that their highest bandwidths, during peak use, range from 5–15 Mbps.
Upload Speeds with HughesNet
Though HughesNet is fast at downloading its upload speed is considerably slower than that is expected due to its satellite-based broadband. HughesNet, not to mention the aforesaid cheaper packages, even its Premium 25 Mbps package offers only up to 3 Mbps of upload speed. This is enough for simple browsing sessions like typing emails or sharing small pictures on social networks. While average data transfer is relatively fast with this speed, heavy usage such as file transfer can be very slow.
Data Caps
Another significant disadvantage of HughesNet satellite internet services is that they significantly limit the amount of data that can be used. They come with 10, 20, 30, or 50 GB of monthly data allowance. You will find that your internet speeds are reduced to as low as 1 to 2 Mbps if you go beyond this allowance. Because of this speed throttling you pay for an allowance that is equal to your monthly usage to be able to surf constantly at fast connection speeds.
Understandably, certain factors influence Satellite Internet Speeds.
- HughesNet promises uploads up to 3 Mbps and download rates of up to 25Mbps, although several circumstances might cause these speeds to drop: Though other circumstances might slow down these rates, HughesNet promises download speeds up to 25Mbps and uploads up to 3 Mbps.
- One of the main reasons for slowed speed is interference, particularly in relation to events like strong rain, snow, or wind because it blocks the satellite signals.
- Downtime: Since satellite internet suffers congestion from numerous users, it is slower in nighttime hours, much like cable internet.
- Latency: The satellite signals must travel over 44, 000 miles to reach satellites in orbit and return again, thereby requiring a somewhat lengthy period. This translates into
- latency ranging from 700 to 900 ms, which makes online gaming challenging.
- Data Cap Overage: As said before, exceeding your monthly data allotment results in a substantially slower internet connection ranging from 1-5 Mbps.
- Limitations in location access - Reduced signals and slower connection will result from tall buildings, trees, or even geographical factors obstructing the view to the southern sky where the HughesNet satellites are positioned.
To acquire the quickest speeds from HughesNet
Here are some tips to maximize the internet speeds available through HughesNet satellite service: Here are some tips to maximize the internet speeds available through HughesNet satellite service:
- Select Your Plan – For the best internet experience, get the Premium (25 Mbps) plan if you don’t mind paying a little more for steady internet speed. Also, choose a higher amount of data to not be throttled back to slow speeds each month.
- Don’t Be a Rush-Hour Bandit - Do not download, upload, or stream high bandwidth activities such as videos during the morning, evening rush hour, and lunchtime since the congestion and data usage are at their highest during these times.
- Restrict Interference – Prune any such vegetation that interferes with the view of the southern sky where the satellites are. Moreover, do not use the internet during storms or heavy precipitation because this interrupts the satellite signals significantly.
- Choose a Premium Satellite Dish – Various satellite dishes are available in the market, but high-gain satellite dishes such as SurfBeam 2 can receive signals faster during marginal weather conditions to give faster speeds. But they cost extra.
In conclusion, HughesNet provides High-Speed Satellite Internet faster than the other providers in the United States with download rates of up to 25 Mbps and upload rates of up to 3 Mbps. However, owing to the usual constraints of satellite internet, ISPs often allow users to experience only between 5 to 15 Mbps of actual connection during peak usage. While there is no way that one can completely control the speed of their internet connection from HughesNet, there are some guidelines that can be followed to ensure that you get to enjoy the best of your connection.
