HughesNet is one of the most popular satellite Internet services in the United States, and it delivers satellite Internet service to rural and remote places where cable and fiber Internet is not possible. However, one has to wonder, how much does HughesNet internet cost in the long run, or every month? The following table provides a general breakdown of HughesNet's monthly price, additional charges, and aspects that influence the total cost.
HughesNet Monthly Base Pricing
HughesNet has two main residential internet plans available nationally, with the following monthly base rates:
- HughesNet 25 (25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload): $59. 99 for 1 month
- HughesNet 45 (45 Mbps download/15 Mbps upload): It costs $69. 99 per month
These prices are the standard rate that is offered at the time of subscription when the consumer agrees to the two-year contract. For instance, prices could be slightly higher if you select a shorter subscription plan period. The only difference is data limits that are available on both plans although explained in detail in the next section.
However, overall HughesNet rates are reasonable and tend to be lower than those of the main competitors in the sphere, such as Viasat or Starlink. Still, you will have to pay a higher price for satellite internet than most cable or DSL packages available today. The advantage of HughesNet is that it is relatively fast and can be available in very remote areas that may lack any ground-based Internet connection.
Data Allowance Fees
HughesNet has data limits and every plan has a monthly usage allowance. If you go over the amount of data allocated in your plan before the end of the billing cycle, then you will have to pay for the additional data used at a specific rate up to a specified amount.
Here are the data allowances and overage fees for each HughesNet plan:
- HughesNet 25
- Data allowance: Currently, they offer up to 50 Gigabytes per month.
- $10 for each 50GB package and an additional $200 in overage charges per month.
- HughesNet 45
- Data allowance: As for the amount of data, it can be considered unlimited, offering 50 GB per month.
- $10 per 50GB monthly overage fee which can not be more than $200 per month.
However, the overage fee is $10 per additional 50 GB block, no matter what your base plan is, so the HughesNet 45 plan may be faster, but it may also allow for easier consumption of the data provided. As part of the bundle, both plans offer 10 GB of video streaming that does not affect the users’ main data allowance.
It is made known that for additional data beyond the plan, data tokens can be bought. The tokens are $3 for 1 GB of data which I believe is a good deal. Tokens are not like coupons that can be cashed in the next month.
Equipment Fees
For instance, HughesNet requires the installation of specific physical structures at and around the client’s home, such as a small satellite dish and a modem/router combination. Customers have two options when it comes to equipment:
- Lease equipment from HughesNet: Monthly lease fee of $15
- Purchase equipment upfront: $199. 99 as a one-time payment
If you lease the equipment, the $15 monthly charge is billed as long as you have HughesNet service, which is built into the monthly price quoted above. In contrast, if you decide to buy the equipment then you are the rightful owner of the equipment even if you terminate your HughesNet subscription in the future. Purchasing can be cheaper in terms of costs in the long run, albeit expensive initially compared to hiring.
Other Potential Fees
Here are some other common fees to be aware of with your HughesNet plan, though not all may apply:
- Early termination fee: $200 – $400 Early Termination Fees if you cancel service within 2 years of activation
- Shipping and handling fees: To be more specific, the price would range from $12. 95 to $14. 95.
- Late payment fee: This will translate to 5 percent of your monthly bill.
- Service restoration fee: >$4. 99 if the service was briefly terminated due to non-payment
- Activity fee: $3 for any bill payment via phone rather than through the website
Improving Your HughesNet Value
While HughesNet offers fast satellite internet starting at around $60 per month, there are ways to improve the long-term value you get from your plan:
- This is important for you as a newcomer because many service providers offer good initial conditions, sometimes giving you the possibility to buy equipment for a lower price or having a special offer on the first 1-3 months of base tariffs.
- Buy equipment for one-time use instead of hiring it for the long term.
- Whenever possible, consume as many kilobytes and megabytes as possible below the set allowance to avoid post-usage charges.
- When you subscribe you should set your billing date to be in accord with the charge cycles of when you use more of the internet.
- Make sure that all the bills are paid on time so as not to be charged more when they are considered late.
- The reader should also add other services they offer such as satellite television products and services to enjoy the benefits of a bundled deal with HughesNet.
It is worth noting that the stated monthly price for HughesNet does not necessarily reflect the actual amount of money that you will need to spend per month on the services because it is often determined by the specific plan you choose, how much data you will use, additional fees you agree to pay and any special promotions that are in place at the time when you subscribe to the service. However, for most cases, it is possible to estimate at least $60-$70 for the base rate to cater for other expenses incurred. Making sure you don’t go over your data usage limit and being cautious about spending extra money on optional fees is how you’ll get the most for your money with HughesNet satellite internet.
