Hughesnet is one of the well-known satellite Internet services in the United States that applies the most recent satellite technologies to deliver fast Internet connections in the entire territory of the country, including the areas that are not densely populated. It is important to note that Hughesnet's satellite internet service requires the subscriber to pay an installation fee as one of the initial costs. In the following lines, we will try to give a clearer picture of what this fee entails and what one might be asked to pay.
Standard Installation Fee
The installation cost varies depending on the location of the new Hughesnet customer, and it is now $99 in general. This is so whether you are opting for a bare minimum of service or the highest level of service package. This is charged on your first bill and informs you of the amount of fees the company will charge you for the service. Thus, although there are no initial costs associated with the Hughesnet equipment and service, other elements, including the $99 installation fee, will be necessary.
What's Included
Now this is where it gets interesting: What does that $99 installation fee cover from Hughesnet?
- Proper installation of all equipment must be done by a certified professional technician to meet professional standards.
- Hughesnet satellite modem
- Satellite dish antenna
- All these were seen when mounting equipment for the antenna.
- Coaxial cables that can be used to connect the modem from the antenna.
- SIGNAL CHECKING TO CONFIRM THE STRENGTH OF THE SIGNAL AND INTERNET CONNECTION
The $99 includes the cost of hiring a professional to pay you a visit at your home, install and fix the satellite equipment, and connect all the requirements to get you connected and make sure that everything’s working fine. HughesNet takes all the responsibility of installation and they assign a certified technician to do the work.
Additional Fees
While $99 is the standard installation cost, there are some situations where additional fees may apply when getting Hughesnet set up, including:
Non-standard Installation: But in some situations when the installation is more complicated and takes time to install at your home or office, there can be extra charges that range from $50 to $150 added. Additional costs that can be incurred include wiring distance, when accessing the roof becomes a challenge, or even if one has to remove an object that is in the way.
Expedited Installation: If you want to have your Hughesnet service installed before the normal time the company offers, you can pay some amount of money though $50 as an expediting fee to be moved to a priority list. It gets a technician out before instead of later.
Ineligible Existing Equipment: If you already possess some satellite internet equipment and Hughes considers your equipment obsolete or non-certified equipment, then you may have to incur additional charges for the modern equipment. The use of existing equipment is usually not possible due to different kinds of equipment being required to perform the tasks of the new equipment.
And in most general conditions, the only other thing you are most likely to part with is ninety-nine dollars for installation. Although, it is vital to understand that some additional charges are likely to appear if the installation is going to be extensive, or if some particular requests in terms of increasing the speed of the installation process or replacing some equipment are going to be made; in such a case, the cost is likely to be higher than $99.
Professional Upgrades
In addition to standard installations included in the $99 fee, Hughesnet does offer installation upgrades you can purchase for an additional cost:
- Additional services offered by Pro Advanced Installation include wiring inside walls not on the outside of the house($199)
- Hughesnet Satellite Expert Installation for large installations such as wiring of the home, multiple mounts, and connection of the Hughesnet system to other networks $299
Well if you wish your installation to look more professional with the satellite wires hidden within the walls of your house or even ceiling then you might have to pay extra for that superior kind of installation. The same goes for complex exercises that relate to networking satellites with other sources of the internet.
Saving on Installation
While the $99 installation fee is standard, there are a few ways you can reduce or eliminate this cost:
- Order self-installation: Hughesnet offers the clients the service of installation and this is done without charge when the client does self-installation instead of the $99 that is charged. In terms of installation, you will be required to install most of the equipment yourself according to the instructions given. This can be quite a challenge and you will have to source for the equipment as discussed.
- Check for promotions: Sometimes Hughesnet also offers specials such as free installation for a certain period normally with the new sign-ups.
- Bundle services: If you decide to bundle Hughesnet with another service like DIRECTV, you will be required to pay for the installation, but it may be free when you take a bundle package.
Thus, if that $99 upfront installation cost is an issue, try the self-service option, look for the service promotional offers that remove the fee, or consider the bundled pack. Although it is good to know that it is advisable to seek professional help to set up the satellite internet connection.
This means that the $99 installation fee for HughesNet satellite internet service includes installation work and all the necessary equipment to install your satellite service which is professionally done. Although the do-it-yourself method helps to save on the cost of having a technician install and activate satellite equipment, professional installation results in faster and better internet connection. Remember that some installations may involve additional charges especially where there are many conveniences to install. Although the installation fee would require a deeper look into the satellite systems' required basic structure, it is often affordable.
