HughesNet is a well-known satellite internet service provider that offers broadband satellite internet connection to residents of rural regions that are unable to access cable or fiber optic internet. HughesNet offers services on both 2. 4 GHz and 5 GHz bands with the help of satellites positioned differently. What the two frequencies and services are and what makes one different from the other is the question that arises. Here is an overview:
Understanding the Fundamentals of 2. 4 GHz vs 5 GHz Frequency Bands
The main difference lies in the radio frequency they operate on:
- 4 GHz: This frequency band is from 2400 to 2483. 5 MHFx This one can transmit signals over larger areas and has higher signal penetration through obstacles like walls and trees. However, there is more disturbance from other devices in the same frequency such as microwaves, Bluetooth devices, baby monitors, and more in this busy band.
- 5 GHz: This higher frequency band means that the range is between 5150 MHz to 5850 MHz. This short span of wavelength entails that signals cannot cover large distances and in the worst-case scenario; they struggle to pass through solid surfaces. Though there is more congestion in this range as the number of devices that use this range increases, it has more bandwidth as compared to the first range hence faster potential speed and less interference from other electronics.
HughesNet employs both to offer satellite internet services to households and business entities.
When you sign up for HughesNet service, both the 2. 4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands are utilized to provide internet access:
2. 4 GHz Connection:
HughesNet satellite links to the HughesNet modem using the 2. 4 GHz frequency range. This signal brings all the data from the satellite right to your doorstep. It gives broader coverage area and penetration capabilities to ensure that durability is achieved in the connectivity.
5 GHz WiFi:
The HughesNet modem also creates a WiFi signal within your home using the 5 GHz channel frequency. This is advantageous especially where the connected devices are close to the modem thus allowing for fast speed in the internet connection. However, this results in having a weak signal at a distance because the range seems to be short.
Differences in Speed Capabilities
The different propagation characteristics of the two bands lead to differences in speed capabilities:
2. 4 GHz band:
Its usage has been established for a longer period and there is congestion in this frequency band. In conjunction with the characteristics of 2. 4 GHz signals, this can result in less aggregate throughputs for devices connected on this band in case the signal needs to penetrate walls or travel a longer distance. The actual speeds, however, are likely to fall within a range of 1 Mbps to 11 Mbps.
5 GHz band:
As for this higher frequency, this was more recently adopted for consumer use. This implies a better speed capacity on shorter distances from the router since there is less interference. Interference: In-warm connection, devices connected to a 5 GHz network can deliver from 35 Mbps to 100 Mbps depending on the plan. However, the speed declines rapidly as the distance between the connection point and the router is extended.
Factors Impacting Actual Speeds
In practice, HughesNet customers can experience a wide range of speeds depending on these factors:
- Day of the week and hour (for instance, it has more traffic at the end of the working/school day).
- The volume of data traffic and the number of devices that are connected through the same bandwidth.
- Distance to modem/router of the particular device
- Interference and disruption of active connected devices
- Challenges posed by the satellite beam that currently is serving your region
- The kind of service plan chosen (with different speeds offered)
- Kind of connection (streaming consumes more data than browsing does).
Like many other satellite internet service providers, most HughesNet plans come with a data cap below which the user can use the internet freely, but once the limit is reached, the internet connection will slow down to prevent congestion in busy times. Watching high-definition videos on multiple devices could quickly consume your usage allowance and may reduce speeds. When the usage of the internet connection is not so heavy and restricted to web surfing only then speed can be retained well.
In the end, both frequencies are used to bring HughesNet satellite internet service into the picture. The dependable satellite link through the 2. 4 GHz satellite channel streaming data to faster 5 GHz WiFi in the home delivers broadband access not available in rural areas before. Reduced speeds are thus achieved within the limits of satellite technology usage while following the best usage from customers. It is especially important to go through the plan description to understand your expectations of service capabilities in your region.
