HughesNet is one of the well-known satellite internet service providers in the United States that utilizes geosynchronous satellite technology to deliver fast internet to the country. As a result, millions of rural Americans do not have cable or fiber broadband and thus find satellite internet from HughesNet more appropriate. But, like all other things in this world, satellite internet has its pros and cons - its con being that it may be costly to set up. Yes, installation is an additional cost and you have to pay for it, but there are some conditions when HughesNet will provide you with installation free of charge.
The Short Answer
Yes, HughesNet does require their clients to pay installation fees so that professional technicians from HughesNet will install satellite equipment at their homes. The standard installation fee for this cable company is ninety-nine US dollars. However, there is a possibility of extra charges if the installation process of the home requires special services. Nevertheless, HughesNet has been known to offer free installation offers including instances where it may offer to cover the installation fee or even offer a rebate after the installation has been done.
Standard Professional Installation Fee
HughesNet satellite equipment must be installed, for which there is a $99 non-refundable installation fee if a professional technician is to install it. This is based on the assumption that your home has a direct view of the southern sky for the satellite dish and that there will be no obstructions or complicated installations. The $99 covers:
- Reconnaissance to determine the optimal spot in which the satellite dish is to be installed
- The next step is to fasten the satellite dish to the roof / mount the satellite dish
- Connecting the cable which is received from the dish to the modem.
- Commissioning and validating the operational equipment
So for a typical installation where all seems to go well without hitches then you will be required to pay $99 which is the installation fee when signing up for HughesNet satellite internet.
Situations Under which Additional Fees Can be Charged
Installation fees may vary depending on certain factors, but the initial cost for installation is $99 in most cases at HughesNet. These include:
- Long Cable Runs: If the location for mounting the satellite dish is significantly away from the modem location, additional cabling and other equipment may be required, increasing the cost by $25 or so per additional 25 feet of cable.
- Obstructed View: If there are a lot of hindrances that may block your view of the southern sky in the area where you are designing the installation, then you may need to go for an angled mount or even install a pole to rise above the hindrances. This could vary depending on various factors and may be above $125 based on the property’s characteristics.
- Rooftop Install: At times, it might be required to place it on a roof to have a clear line of sight. This needs the roof mounting materials and may also need some work to be done on the roof which makes it cost more than a normal installation which is around + 100$.
- Second Trip Fees: If the installation process fails in the first instance for whatever reason, including the malfunction of equipment, a second truck roll may attract a $50 or more charge.
However, the basic $99 HughesNet installation fee should be enough to cover most of the typical installations, but customers should expect that there could be additional installation charges based on the location of their homes. When one is planning for a certain project, getting quotes in advance can inform one of the complete list.
The promotions that offer customers a discount on installation fees.
The good news is that Hughesnet has several ongoing promotions that make satellite internet even cheaper for new customers – they even have advertised offers to not charge the $99 activation fee.
There may be a campaign that you can join during an introductory offer that gives you $99 back after installing the app or makes the initial investment $0. Different offers change from one season to another and also depending on the place within the different regions served by HughesNet.
You can also be referred to a current HughesNet subscriber since they offer referral program discounts too. When purchasing HughesNet satellite internet service, a consumer can check with friends or relatives who have subscribed to HughesNet to help him or her get a promotional code so that the $99 fee can be avoided. But as always be careful because most of these offers entail you signing the HughesNet contract and in case you wish to cancel the service before agreeing to the contract then expect to pay for early termination fees
Is HughesNet Installation Worth the Costs?
Since installation fees can go beyond the $99 the company asks for, is HughesNet satellite installation within the bargain? It all depends on the individuals’ Internet usage and the availability of the options.
For people in rural areas with no other choices but HughesNet satellite internet, the download and upload speeds are light-years ahead of any dial-up, or even cellular hotspot internet. Thus satellite latency while it can be a significant issue for many real-time endeavors, HughesNet satellite may be the only high-speed internet option. And therefore it does justify paying their installation fee as a way of gaining modern internet.
On the other hand, if there are other types of rural broadband connections such as rural fixed wireless internet available in your area, they could likely provide faster and more efficient connections without the presence of satellite connection latency and some do not charge for standard installation. Therefore, all these options are viable exercises before engaging with HughesNet and their initial expenses.
The Bottom Line
HughesNet has its satellite internet equipment and there is a fee of $99 to have it installed by a technician. However, they tend to have specific loaded fees that are normally removed or have rebates – so verify any current and forthcoming special offers before you subscribe. In cases where HughesNet is the only provider within reach, it may be wise to pay the installation fees for the high-speed satellite connection. So, factor in all the available choices to be able to choose the best rural internet service provider for you.
