Hughesnet satellite internet is amongst the most used satellite internet service providers and is heavily used in rural areas due to the unavailability of cable and DSL networks. One question that is often asked is - whether is it mandatory to have a phone line for availing Hughesnet’s service.
How Hughesnet Internet Works
Hughesnet offers Internet connection through a satellite modem, thus, eliminating the need to use phone lines or cables. Here’s a quick overview of how it works: Here’s a quick overview of how it works:
- Hughesnet uses satellites in space through which they offer internet service covering most of the continental United States.
- To connect to the Hughesnet satellite internet network you would also require a small satellite dish at your home along with a modem/router.
- House thus communicating with your home and the Hughesnet satellites are transmitted by the satellite dish for the internet.
- Therefore while DSL or cable internet uses either the telephone wires or the cables used for cable television, Hughesnet establishes a wireless link between the consumer’s home and the satellites.
Why Hughesnet service does not need a phone line
There are a few reasons why Hughesnet does not need a phone line:
- Self Interest - As much as Hughesnet offers internet services via satellite and not phone lines, there is no technical reason for accessing this telephone line. In the matter of satellite connection, it does not have any relation with the main connection.
- Rural Service – Hughesnet is also in existence to offer Internet connection to areas where phone lines and cable are scarce. Should the instrument require a phone line this would defeat the very essence of the matter at hand.
- Cost Savings – phone lines are an extra cost that HughesNet has avoided by adopting satellite technology in its service delivery. This assists in helping them provide cheap high-speed internet to more clients.
- Mobile Installation – No phone line is required meaning that the satellite dish can be installed anywhere within a home. The dish simply has to look at the southern sky without anything getting in its way.
What Hughesnet Does Need
While a phone line is not needed, there are some requirements for Hughesnet service:
- Southern Sky Line of Sight - While the antenna does have to have a clear, unobstructed view of the southern sky to communicate with the Hughesnet satellites. Having barriers such as trees or buildings can interfere with or even weaken the signal.
- Power Source – The modem, router, satellite dish, and other equipment used in the Hughesnet network require an active electrical power source.
- Internet Security Suite – Hughesnet has an Internet security Suite as a necessity for all its users whether through the satellite or dial-up service at an extra charge for a monthly subscription.
Optional Voice Service
Though Hughesnet is an internet service provider and does not rely on phone connections as a means of offering its services, it has a voice home phone service which is optional. For the voice service, there are two choices: For the voice service, there are two choices:
- Satellite Voice - Satellite voice operation is similar to the internet service but uses a satellite dish connection instead of a phone line.
- Phone Adapter - This connects to a telephone outlet by leveraging an analog phone adapter. So if you have phone service already, you can use it for Hughesnet voice service, which makes things so much easier.
Therefore, it can be concluded that this specific Hughesnet satellite internet service in question is not reliant on a phone line at all to bring high-speed internet to rural areas. The wireless satellite connection is a closed link and does not require additional equipment to function. Some of the services for instance the Hughesnet voice phone service do not require a phone line for internet connection though the client may provide one if available. This makes the service easily deployable throughout the country using internet connectivity with no need for phone infrastructure availability.
