The more we include in our everyday lives, the more we need the internet, and having unlimited data is essential for many families. HughesNet provides consumers with satellite internet access, which means it can provide internet in rural areas where cable or fiber optic is unavailable. But others are curious if HughesNet has plans with unlimited data usage for them to spend on. The following article will provide a better understanding of HughesNet data plans and caps.
The Short Answer
However, there are no specific plans that exists in HughesNet through which the company offers unlimited data without any form of throttling or deprioritization. By this, you understand that all HughesNet packages have limits and certain restrictions with the data allowance; your connection speed is reduced if you go beyond the limit. Thus speeds, for example, may still be technically acceptable after the cap but are actually incredibly slow and most browsing and streaming activities become extremely difficult.
The Long Answer: HughesNet offers its users three different data plans, these plans come with a cap on the amount of data that one can use over a given period of time and a number of restrictions.
When you sign up for HughesNet, you choose between three primary data plans with corresponding data caps:
- 10GB – The cheapest price option is $59. 99 per month, and the download speed can reach up to 25 Mbps. Although the specific video content is available for streaming, the quality of the stream is only standard definition. On the metered plans, any overages cost 10 cents per GB up to a $200 monthly charge.
- 20GB – The second plan in the middle range at $69. 99 monthly rental with fast download speed of up to 25 Mbps. Video streaming is done in high quality videos, in terms of quality, resolution and definition. Overage fees are $10 per GB or up to $200 per month.
- 30GB – Most expensive plan, which costs $99. 99 monthly, and you get download speed of up to 25 Mbps and upload of up to 3 Mbps. Other features like HD and 4K support are also part of this feature. As for overage fees, they start at $10 per GB and are limited to $200 in a month.
As shown, all current HughesNet plans are limited by rather small data allowances ranging from 10GB/month. In other words, a 10GB allowance will only allow you to use up a few hours of Netflix video streaming in high definition.
Well, in this case, for instance, what are the penalties for going over the HughesNet data limit? This is where things become very constricting.
Once you exhaust all the high-speed data for the month, HughesNet drastically reduces the speed at which you access the internet to ensure that they do not exhaust their network’s allowance. Some of the common effects include, The websites and video streaming slow down significantly. HughesNet promotes these “slower speed” plans at 1-3 Mbps, though they drop off to a near-dial-up speed range, effectively useless for most applications.
Also, through the “Fair Access Policy,” HughesNet prevents users from effectively using their service after they have reached their monthly data allowance by reducing the speed of specific high-traffic applications. Video streaming service, gaming, VPN connection, and even email attachment are limited and are brought down to much lower speed compared to general internet browsing. So in practice, one can hardly use even the limited monthly allowance to the extent they might wish if they were not constrained by limitations.
Therefore, HughesNet plans do offer limited and finite mostly moderate speed of up to 25 Mbps every month that cannot be considered as true unrestricted high-speed data usage.
Historically, satellite internet providers could claim that they had to implement very low caps and then restrict the speed to make up for the technological realities and to share a finite amount of satellite space with millions of users. However, with advent of Gen5 service from HughesNet powered by even more capable satellites, some commentators expected that they may roll out new unlimited or unthrottled plans.
To date, no significant tweaks to data allowances have been implemented; however, it is reasonable to expect that HughesNet might reconsider its throttling policies based on usage patterns observed among new customers who signed up for Gen5 services. Another example is the FCC promotion of rural broadband could also create changes. However, there does not seem to be an immediate prospect that will bring individuals unrestricted satellite internet access.
Alternatives for Communications Without a Cap in Rural Areas
For the rural users who desire permanently fast connection speeds and unlimited data usage per month, the satellite internet is still an issue. However, newer wireless home internet services that utilize cellular towers are already emerging in many areas of several rural regions.
Wireless home internet is also available today through providers such as T-Mobile and Verizon by taking advantage of the cellular network. While not as fast as cable/ fiber they offer at least 25-50 Mbps of bandwidth with no data limit or speed limit. This option is still nascent and should be considered for rural homes with no other access to broadband or for those who wish to get out from under restrictive plans that come with satellite data.
The Bottom Line
Satellite internet is a welcome addition to some rural markets that do not have adequate coverage or access to broadband internet, but HughesNet does not offer any existing unlimited data plan without data throttling. All HughesNet packages have very low data allowances at the basic level ranging from 10GB per month and when you exceed this amount, your connection speeds are greatly reduced. Therefore, satellite internet data plans still are as restrictive to today’s demanding bandwidth usage requirements. New wireless home internet services offer a new promising avenue for development for the rural areas in their search for a better provider. However, until the day comes when such technological advancements make it possible to have more network capacity or costs have reduced to the level where it can afford such a luxury, we shall not be having a real deal of unlimited satellite data.
