Starlink as well as HughesNet are two satellite internet service providers but the speeds that Starlink offers compared to HughesNet are significantly higher. There are a few key reasons why Starlink's internet service is so much faster: There are a few key reasons why Starlink's internet service is so much faster:
Technology
HughesNet is in geostationary orbit; Starlink's satellites fly low earth orbit (LEO). While the satellites HughesNet employs are over 22,000 miles away from the earth's surface, LEO satellites fly at quite low heights somewhat over 340 miles. This means that data may flow quicker as it is far closer to LEO satellites.
The quantity of satellites affects satellite communications second most strongly. Starlink wants to launch more than 40000 and already has more than 2000 satellites under its belt. Compared to the desired list, HughesNet's network has many fewer satellites. And the corporation has more capacity and better Starlink coverage the more satellites LEO orbits include.
Also, Starlink’s satellites employ more advanced technologies in the design of phased array antennas as well as the in-orbit laser interlinks used in relaying data between satellites. This enables their network to transfer data more efficiently than HughesNet does, as stated by the author.
Latency
Latency is a term that refers to the amount of time that it takes data to make a round trip. It is one of the most critical measures defining the quality of the Internet.
Because distance is a significant factor, HughesNet latency can range from 600 ms and above. This can result in extreme latency for performative real-time Internet activities.
On the other hand, Starlink latency tends to be 20-40 ms, which is comparable to what cable or fiber optic internet offers. Webpages take a shorter time to load, streaming is enhanced, and even online games are made more responsive by the low level of latency by Starlink.
Speed
Compared to other satellite communications services, Starlink users have download speeds of 100-200 Mbps with occasional spikes over 250 Mbps making it a high-speed internet. The uplink typically of these services is usually between 5-20 Mbps.
On the other hand, HughesNet packages claim 25 Mbps, although they should not exceed 10 Mbps in real usage. FTP-like uploads peak at around 1-2 Mbps.
Starlink’s base speeds, which the company claims will start rolling out soon, are already 5-10 times higher than what HughesNet subscribers get. This Starlink enables high bandwidth activities such as streaming in 4K, video calls, large downloads, online gaming, and many others. On the other hand, HughesNet suffers from a slow web access experience, especially when multiple devices are involved.
Data Caps
Similar to other satellite internet service providers, both HughesNet and Starlink use data plans that are based on monthly data limits. Nevertheless, with limits set on Starlink, they are much higher.
Even the lowest tier offering from HughesNet, which costs $45 per month, only comes with a meager 10 GB per month. For instance, their higher-tier plans only offer up to 50 GB. When you go over the limit, the Internet speed is reduced to the slowest speeds that one can imagine.
At the same time, Starlink increased their standard cap from 250 GB to 500 GB as the network has developed, which can be compared to the amount of traffic included in cable internet tariffs. There are also options to add unrestricted usage of data at extra charges for the power users. Some users without cable broadband are privileged to have Starlink data allowances, especially rural dwellers where HughesNet has rather limited data caps.
Weather Resilience
Satellite signals may weaken due to bad weather, however, Starlink stands to be much more reliable than HughesNet when it comes to heavy rain or snow state.
HughesNet has internet service that almost deteriorates with any form of rainfall because rain fades and satellite signals are over forty-one times farther apart to travel through the atmosphere. Speaking of slow speeds, they slow down even further.
Communications satellites are spaced closer to each other, and the satellites that Starlink uses are in lower orbits, making the signal less dependent on precipitation. The users also stand to mention normal speed even when there are massive rains or any other storms. The use of superior phased array antennas also has the capability of changing the connections on the fly in response to weather conditions.
Availability
Beta for Starlink was launched with an open waitlist when it was first introduced to the public and it had more than half a million people who are seeking better rural internet. Today the service is out of beta, and the ever-growing network capacity allows to constantly add more customers.
While the availability of HughesNet is rather restricted globally, it still has its presence in many countries. The market growth after the launch over a decade has seems to have slowed down while they struggle with technology constraints. They continue to have maps displaying coverage areas that have not changed for years and no significant network extension planned.
Affordability
Starlink’s monthly price is $110 per month, although there is a one-time equipment fee of $599, making the company’s price comparable to those of the leading broadband suppliers. Others say it offers better value for money than the slow DSL or the imperfect rural 5G solutions one gets with Starlink.
HughesNet packages are even more affordable, with the basic subscription costing $60 per month. However, taking into consideration all the taxes, fees, the cost of data overages, and the purchase of required equipment, the difference is substantially eliminated. And that is considering Internet speeds and quality that are so different they cannot be compared in a normal sense.
Verdict
The less certain is that Starlink completely outperforms HughesNet’s archrival in terms of internet speeds, latency, reliability, and technology advancement. For those country dwellers struggling through torturously slow and dusty satellite internet, Starlink is a revolution.
Starlink network is still in the process of expansion and still has slight drawbacks from the launch operations. However, what will become obvious to the reader at this early stage is why so many disgruntled HughesNet consumers are eager to cancel old service at the first opportunity after experiencing the revolutionary high-speed Starlink satellite internet.
