HughesNet is a satellite internet service provider that offers its services in those regions where cable and fiber optic internet services are lacking. Yet, satellite internet shares one disadvantage: the speed is significantly lower than that of wired networks. HughesNet offers broadband services with a maximum speed of 25 Mpbs but this is not the speed most users get; most users get around 10-15 Mpbs.
As we have seen, the speed of satellite internet service cannot be as fast as cable or fiber due to the existing technology, but there are ways to increase HughesNet speed through network adjustment. Here are some steps to follow to ensure you receive the best Hugh’s Net speeds:
I prefer using an Ethernet cable connection significantly over other types of connections.
Another simple and effective solution to HughesNet speed boost is using an Ethernet cable to connect your computer or device directly to the modem. This is very advantageous over using Wireless because wired connections are more reliable as compared to a connection that is interfered with by things like walls among others.
Ethernet cables also send the data at a much higher rate with a comparatively lower amount of delay. Devices that require the highest internet connection such as gaming consoles or streaming devices connected directly through ethernet cable to the modem can result in faster speeds by up to 15% when compared to Wi-Fi.
Optimize Your WiFi Network
Although wired connectivity through Ethernet cable is preferable, the majority of home internet connections are through the wireless signal. An initial adjustment of the home WiFi network is a far more effective method to enhance HughesNet speeds in the air. Here are some WiFi optimization tips:
- Place the satellite modem at a central place in your home to ensure that signals reach all parts of the house. Do not let it be placed in a corner or any remote area of the house.
- If your home is vast or has massive walls, then go for a mesh WiFi system to create a better network. These are multi-point routers that can effectively cover a home with a strong Wi-Fi signal.
- Always ensure that your modem router firmware is updated to the latest version of the software and your device drivers also need to be updated to eliminate bug and performance problems.
- When doing WLAN select the 5 GHz band instead of the 2. 4 GHz band for faster wireless networking. The band of 5 GHz is less occupied because more weightage is given to the duties of the 2. 4 GHz band.
- It may be necessary to replace your DOCSIS 2. 0 or WiFi 5 router with a newer DOCSIS 3. 1 or WiFi 6 one for a better experience.
- Avoid incidents of “bandwidth thieves”, those people who connect to your WiFi but use a lot of bandwidth while contributing negligible in return, by ensuring that you have WPA3 security and a strong password on your WiFi.
Change your data settings
HughesNet offers its internet services together with certain caps on the amount of data that the customers can use every month, with the options of 10 GB to 50 GB. Once again, once you go over the amount expected in the plan you are subscribed to, your speeds are slashed to as low as 1-2 Mbps until the next billing period.
Do not be involved in exceeding your data usage as this can be expensive especially when involving activities that use a lot of data such as streaming, downloads, gaming, and video calls.
Some of the steps that can be taken to reduce the use of data allowance include; enabling data-saving settings on the applications, controlling the quality of the videos that are being streamed, not permitting videos to play automatically, and delaying the download of large files to night times when many people are not downloading so that there will be reduced congestion. As for the heavy downloads, it is also good to use public WiFi rather than consuming your limited data from HughesNet.
Some HughesNet plans include free data that is accessible at night and does not reduce your data bundle which is useful for downloading huge files and for backups.
Contact HughesNet Support
These are some of the situations where your speed may be constrained not by you but due to some problems in hardware or connections belonging to HughesNet. Perform speed tests on the internet at different times and over ethernet to see if that means it is slower than what is being advertised or not and should contact their technical support.
Make them aware that you are only receiving speeds that are lower than those in your plan. Their techs can tell the connection quality levels and fix any problem concerning the modem configuration.
They may recommend upgrading your outdated parts or fine-tuning the position of your satellite dish to improve signal reception. Satellite internet services such as those provided by HughesNet require more fine-tuning to get the best results, although you can get faster results than with wired connections when the appropriate adjustments have been made.
For higher speed and better performance, you should consider switching to the faster plan.
However, if you have adjusted your home network and all the necessary equipment and are still not getting the desired HughesNet internet speeds, then it is time to go for a higher tier. Packages that go up to 25 Mbps down are out there for those who have a view of the sky from the south and will not mind paying a little more.
Its highest tiers also add unlimited monthly data to 50GB or more, thus preventing speed reduction due to excessive usage. As long as it will not break the bank monthly to pay for the extra amount, it is worth it.
Use During Off-Peak Hours
HughesNet internet speeds do not vary because of the home network problems, but they do shift according to the level of congestion that affects the network. Tele traffic data indicates that speeds are comparatively slow during peak usage that is between 5 and 11 PM this is due to other customers in your area using the limited bandwidth capacity.
HughesNet is a satellite Internet service provider that delivers the said service at predetermined maximum speeds but during off-peak or off-business hours to avoid the congested period the plan speed can be closer to maximums. It also provides off-peak hours when there are fewer users on the network, which is between 2:00 AM and 8:00 AM each day.
Thus, for the fastest speeds perform activities related to video calls, online games, and movies either earlier or later in the day. Just note that in some of the plans, HughesNet overnight data may not apply to the users.
Conclusion
Although satellite internet speeds cannot be compared to fiber or cable internet, still it is possible to get the most out of HughesNet internet by setting up the home environment properly and by managing the usage and customer support and service. Depending on some of the tips here, the user can get to stream, work, browse, and download at lightning speed from geosynchronous satellites in orbit thousands of miles up in the sky. It’s just important to keep your expectations of satellite internet in terms of speed reasonable.
