One of the most well-known satellite internet providers on the market, Hughesnet uses satellites in outer space to provide internet services throughout the United States. Though the phrase "network" makes sense, Hughesnet uses what network to provide its satellite broadband? The technologies and networks Hughesnet makes use of are briefly described here.
Hughes Network Systems
Operating under Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HNS), a division of EchoStar Corporation, Hughesnet is a satellite broadband service. Additionally developed and under control by HNS are the networks and technologies supporting the Hughesnet satellite internet service delivery.
The first two-way consumer satellite internet service at high speed, the Hughesnet service itself began in 1996 under the directv brand name of DirecPC. Later names for the corporation were Hughes Wireless in 2002 and Hughesnet in 2006. This is so because Hughesnet offers internet services using the knowledge of satellite and networking technologies, hence leveraging HNS.
Spaceway Satellites
As the fundamental platform that supports Hughesnet’s satellite internet accessibility, HNS’s Spaceway satellites are in orbit. Hughesnet relies on capacity from three Spaceway high-throughput satellites that operate in the geosynchronous orbit over the Earth’s surface.
It is very important to note that these satellites rely on Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology and broadband satellite solutions to provide internet connections. With the Spaceways, Internet access coverage extends to the continental United States, Alaska Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
The first of Spaceway 1 was launched in 2005 while the second was Spaceway 2 in 2007 and the last one was Spaceway 3 in 2012. Each satellite under the Spaceway constellation was built by aerospace company Boeing at a cost of about $250 million and is expected to have a useful life of about 15 years in space.
In this section, you will learn how Hughesnet's satellite network works.
Hughesnet satellite network is made up of working three Spaceway satellites in combination with the ground stations and the user satellite dishes for the provision of broadband internet services. Here is a simplified overview of how data travels across this satellite network: Here is a simplified overview of how data travels across this satellite network:
- Customer accesses Hughesnet through interface via internet request and satellite dish
- It is made through a satellite dish on the ground to a Spaceway satellite that is in orbit above the ground.
- Signals bearing the requested data are then transmitted to a Hughesnet Ground station through a satellite relay.
- The ground station is bordered by the Internet backbone and downloads the required data.
- Internet data goes through the reverse based on the ground station which leads up to the Spaceway satellite
- Spaceway transmits signal back to the user satellite dish position
- A user using the satellite dish receives the internet data that has been requested in the satellite signal.
- Hughesnet modem and router at customer location take the internet data in request by the customer for use
It is a process that occurs extremely fast making internet connection prompt and adaptive leveraging on the satellites in space. That means that while peak speeds may not be limited, data caps, weather, and other coverage issues may still affect the speeds and data you can achieve.
Advanced Satellite Technology
Hughesnet uses very small aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite dish technology to transmit signals to and from Spaceway satellites. The VSAT dishes and the HughesNet modems employed in this system employ high levels of modulation, compression, and transmission speed technologies to enable fast operation.
Currently, Hughesnet claims to offer download speeds of up to 25Mbps in its higher-tier packages. Satellite latency is added to the total travel time, which usually ranges from 600 to 700 ms and hinders the execution of actual-time applications. Data compression and HTTP acceleration are also employed to manage satellite capacity and, in turn, enhance the capabilities of Hughesnet.
Where cable or fiber internet connection is not available Hughesnet’s satellite broadband internet is another solution available. The Spaceway satellites and Hughes infrastructure provide a dependable internet connection to the rural or remote areas in the country that have not yet been able to catch up with other forms of wired connection.
Ongoing Upgrades
Hughesnet has also remained dedicated to the development of advanced network technologies in the form of satellite The fourth Jupiter 3 high-throughput satellite is expected in 2023 which will include other capacities for the higher internet speed. Other planned upgrades to the software involve the transmission, compression, and acceleration methods in a bid to propagate higher performance in Hughesnet systems.
In conclusion, the Hughesnet satellite internet is built on a unique hardware system that comprises the Spaceway satellite constellation in space, ground facilities, and high-end VSAT dishes to enable satellite broadband in the United States and other countries. Although not as fast as fiber, cable, or the 5G connection, Hughesnet satellite internet provides the only type of internet connection for such markets.
