Satellite internet pertains to the use of satellite technologies in outer space in the delivery of broadband service. Our home is connected to a satellite, a satellite dish is a device that deals with data transmission and reception through the space between the satellite and this dish antenna. The satellite uses transponders for communicating with ground stations owned by satellite internet service providers that are linked to the overall internet network.
Satellite in the past was limited with slower and less stable connection compared to cable or DSL. Recent developments also show that satellite is a feasible home broadband solution despite this drawback, although the latency rate is higher than that of wired broadband.
HughesNet can be considered one of the satellite internet pioneers – it started offering consumer satellite Internet access in 1996. HughesNet still dominates the satellite internet market to this date over 20 years later.
HughesNet Gen5 is a new technology that is currently available in the market and is a new generation of satellite Internet that has several unique features that make it stand out from other satellite Internet technologies.
How so in HughesNet Gen5 as compared to previous generations been advanced?
Faster Speeds
The most touted improvement with Gen5 is faster internet speeds:
- Availability of higher download speed of up to 25 Mbps depending on a selected plan
- It allows fast upload speed of not more than 3 Mbps
- Up to 200 percent of the peak speeds of prior generations of HughesNet
That is why speeds still differ depending on the number of people and the capacity of the network that has been created the weather, and other conditions. However, if everything works perfectly well, Gen5 gives customers of HughesNet the best satellite speed possible.
More Data
Gen5 also offers more generous data allowances than before:
- The available quotas include 10GB, 20GB, 30GB, 50GB, and 100GB per month.
- It is obvious that the 50GB plan has more data than the Gen4 40GB plan and in detail, by 30%.
After using up to the set limit speeds drop ranging from 1-3 Mbps. However, for those who use large amounts of data, there is an option to get a plan with a higher limit with Gen5.
Advanced Satellite Technology
Well, how does it do it? Well, the Gen5 achieves faster speeds and the additional data that is required. Higher performance is enabled by advanced wideband satellite technology and capacity:
- Employ capabilities of Jupiter 2 High Throughput Satellite (HTS)
- Use Ka-band spot beams, two or more for higher capacity.
- Simple ground network design
- Hardware support for 4K video streaming built.
Gen5 amplifies bandwidth over the coverage area by overlaying small Ka-band spot beams, thus completing the design of HughesNet. It also reveals that they have improved their satellite and infrastructure to increase speed and offer a low orbit-like experience.
HughesNet Voice Service
Along with internet access, HughesNet Gen5 offers an optional Voice home phone service over satellite:
- Free Local/Long Distance: US & Canada
- Additional services such as voice mail, call waiting, caller identification, and many others.
- Either use your phone or take a combo with both phone and computer.
While experiencing dropped calls on VoIP due to poor VoIP performance of old satellite internet, HughesNet Voice gives customers a dependable phone connection with priority on voice traffic.
Latency on satellite internet is the last issue that demands the attention of users and researchers.
The only drawback that persists to satellite internet is that it has comparatively larger latency as the signals have to travel a considerably long distance from the geostationary orbit to the user interface and back. Specifically:
- With Gen5, it can have a latency of up to 750 milliseconds
- As opposed to cable and fiber, latency less than 50 ms
Thus, although there are large gains in speed in Gen5, latency has not been enhanced greatly. This leads to delays in some services that require lower latency such as online gaming, video calls, and live streaming. The only time you may notice that they are there is during ordinary web surfing, sending/receiving emails, watching videos, etc.
To address this problem, the HughesNet company introduced the HughesNet Gamer plan for game lovers. It uses free Zone Data after hours which does not impact the monthly allowance for a more lag-free gaming experience during low-traffic hours.
HughesNet Gen5 is available to customers in the United States, but the availability of the satellite internet service differs depending on the location.
Specifically, HughesNet Gen5 service is targeted to those living in rural areas that have no other options for obtaining high-speed Internet access such as cable, fiber-optic, or DSL lines. Requirements for HughesNet include:
- Residences at premises not within the cable or phone provider boundary
- A view of the southern sky free of the obstructions of manmade objects such as buildings and trees.
- No large tree or tall building to block the satellite signal.
Because it has to link up to their satellites orbiting overhead, you require a straight line of sight from your premises to space. So long as those terms are offered and meet the criteria that HughesNet extends its service to your zip code, Gen5 is capable of providing fast satellite speeds at the remotest locations of a customer’s home.
What About Pricing?
The enhancements in the performance of HughesNet Gen5 mean that there is an increase in monthly charges. Their pricing plans include:
- 10GB Plan - $59. 99/mo
- 20GB Plan - $69. 99/mo
- 30GB Plan - $99. 99/mo
- 50GB Plan - $139. 99/mo
- 100GB Plan - $149. 99/mo
In addition to the flat rate for your data plan, charges include:
- $14. 99/month equipment lease
- Unlike many other products and services, there is a one-time activation fee of $99.
- This is in addition to taxes, which form part of the cost structure of the product, and other charges.
Still, it is less expensive compared to the previous generations. However, with Gen5, you are paying for much higher speeds and much larger allowance sizes.
Challenges and Benefits of HughesNet Gen5
To summarize some pros and cons:
Pros
- Download speeds of as fast as 25 Mbps at peak hours
- Some carriers were offering up to 100GB of data with the rise in the data quotas.
- Some plans offer free data for an unlimited amount of time in the periods between 2 AM and 8 AM.
- Supported voice/phone service
- In general, they are more reliable than other generations of satellites.
Cons
- This can affect some processes, for instance, high latency is likely to affect some processes.
- It depends on how it is used and the conditions it is used in.
- Another popular Internet provider that can be classified as rather expensive.
- Prohibit yourself from purchasing the product under a 24-month contract
- Complex equipment installation
However, like most satellite internet, HughesNet Gen5 has some limitations related to its technical characteristics, but at the same time, it offers much faster speeds and a more comprehensive user experience.
Conclusion
HughesNet Gen5 is a next-gen satellite internet with enhanced speed, data capability, and service dependability. As a result of satellite and networking technology, the Gen5 HughesNet offers a dream of internet connectivity to millions of people who are on the wrong side of the divide.
Yet, Gen5 has brought enough data to meet household requirements and connect several users, making satellite broadband commonplace for most households. Satellite is still not a total substitute for fiber or cable connection; however, HughesNet Gen5 offers much better performance than previous satellite technologies. This helps gain modern connectivity for rural Americans which is crucial in work, school, and life.
