1) What are the monthly service prices for the various HughesNet® Service plans?
2)Are there any daily time connection limitations?
3) Why is HughesNet more expensive compared to terrestrial solutions?
4) Can I install a telephone or can I make a telephone call using your service?
5) Does the satellite delay have a negative effect on the performance of HughesNet compared to ADSL?
6) Can I use my TV dish and have HughesNet added to it?
7) Can I do the installation myself?
8) Is there a data download limit applied to any service plan?
9) Where is Hughes located? Is Hughes represented in Europe?
12) What are my computer system requirements for the DW7000?
13) Can I run HughesNet on a small local area network?
14) What if my computer did not come with a Network Interface Card (NIC)? What can I do?
15) Can I use a PCMCIA card adapter for my laptop?
16) Do I still need a dial-up modem and telephone line?
17) Why is there a requirement that the HughesNet system be professionally installed?
18) How can I contact customer support when I have a question or a problem?
20) How can I find out what service plan I am on and my current connection status?
1) What are the monthly service prices for the various HughesNet Service plans?
HUGHES Europe publishes recommended retail prices, (RRP) for each HughesNet Classic and HughesNet Premier plan, excluding any local taxes or licensing fees. RRP is for monthly service charges only excluding VAT. Equipment costs will be extra for the HN7000S modem and are dependent on antenna and installation fees. Local import taxes, duties, VAT and sales taxes as applicable can be confirmed with a local authorised Hughes channel partner. RRP is based on European delivery.
2) Are there any daily time connection limitations?
No. The HughesNet service is an always on service which means you are connected to the Internet 24/7.
3) Why is HughesNet more expensive compared to terrestrial solutions?
It depends on which terrestrial service you use and how much you use it. In some circumstances, terrestrial services such as ISDN or analogue dial-up may prove to be more expensive than a HughesNet subscription. For example, some dial up service providers charge both a monthly connection fee as well as a per minute connection fee. A typical user online for 4 hours a day may end up paying more for their dial-up connection than a HughesNet connection. With HughesNet, you get an always on broadband connection making HughesNet ideal for those who cannot get a terrestrial broadband connection such as xDSL or Cable.
4) Can I install a telephone or can I make a telephone call using your service?
An independent SIP phone may be connected to your HughesNet link, however, such a connection does not provide any Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees. Hughes Europe can offer a voice over IP service through its global carrier partner, Net2Phone. This service requires an HN7000S, a HN6040 voice appliance and a Net2Phone subscription account obtainable from Hughes Europe. Some authorised partners offer both SIP based phone solutions as well as the HughesNet VoIP service. Check for local availability. Services such as Skype are not recommended with a HughesNet connection.
5) Does the satellite delay have a negative effect on the performance of HughesNet compared to ADSL?
HughesNet broadband Internet access has comparable performance to terrestrial ADSL solutions. With a satellite service, data must travel up to the satellite and back (about 45,000 miles). This round trip adds less than a second's delay to the total time your computer takes to communicate with a Website or host server. For most web-based or file-transfer applications this delay is not noticeable. You will only notice this delay when using a real time application such as video conferencing or gaming.
6) Can I use my TV dish and have HughesNet added to it?
No. Normal TV antennas are only designed to receive a signal. A special dish is needed to also have transmission capability. However, it is possible to add a satellite TV reception adapter to the HughesNet antenna. Note that this does not include provision of a satellite TV service, only the capability to receive satellite tv signals through the HughesNet dish. You should consult a local partner for availability of any local TV solutions.
7) Can I do the installation myself?
No. HughesNet involves the installation and operation of a radio transmit unit and due to licensing and regulatory requirements, the installation has to be performed by a professional installer.
8) Is there a data download limit applied to any service plan?
The HughesNet service does not have any download limits, but to guarantee fair access for every customer, Hughes Europe has implemented a Fair Access Policy(FAP). This policy manages traffic and restricts any user from abusing the system and taking an excessive amount of capacity from other users. Examples of monthly download thresholds are provided in each Classic service plan. The examples provide an illustration of how each service plan can be used and should be used as a guide only.
9) Where is Hughes located? Is Hughes represented in Europe?
Hughes is a global company. Hughes Europe is Hughes Network Systems, LLC's (HNS) operating and sales organization for the European market. Hughes Europe has its own offices in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy, together with representatives in almost every European country. Utilizing its satellite hub earth stations and network operations centres in Griesheim, Germany and Milton Keynes, U.K., Hughes Europe provides HughesNet broadband satellite services throughout select countries in Europe, the Middle East and parts of North Africa through a growing family of value-added service providers and authorised HughesNet channel partners.
10) I have seen alternative satellite service providers offering broadband at far lower prices compared with HughesNet service plans. Why should I subscribe to HughesNet?
From our research, our prices for a two-way satellite Internet service are very competitive.
Many providers provide a one-way service allowing you to download via
the satellite, but any upload of data would be through your telephone
or ISDN line. One-way services will often require you to sign up to an
ISP for the return path incurring not only additional monthly charges,
but will tie up your phone line. As a two way service, HughesNet does
not tie up your phone line thereby ensuring calls can be received and
made at all times and provides greater Internet speeds.
For over 30 years, HUGHES has delivered satellite products and
services around the world, with more than 1,000,000 systems ordered or
shipped to customers in over 100 countries. Hughes pioneered the
development of high-speed satellite Internet services, which today it
markets globally under the HughesNet brand. Since it first conceived
and delivered the first VSAT (very small aperture terminal), Hughes has
consistently maintained the position of worldwide market leader in
satellite network solutions. With a rich heritage of providing secure
and reliable satellite Internet services to homes, businesses and
governments, you are assured of fast, reliable service capable of
serving even the most mission-critical of business needs.
11) Are speeds guaranteed?
As is common practice with most ISP providers in the market, HughesNet operates a shared network.
Published
speeds are burst speeds and not guaranteed. Speeds can vary depending
on the websites you may be visiting, traffic on our network and other
factors. Although HughesNet does not have any download limits, to
guarantee fair access for every customer, we have implemented a Fair
Access Policy (FAP). This policy monitors customer traffic and manages
any user from abusing the system and taking an excessive amount of
capacity from other users.
12) What are my computer system requirements for the DW7000?
The HughesNet modem (model number DW7000) lets you connect your computer to the Internet whether you are running a Windows or Macintosh operating system. In order to ensure you get the most out of your Internet experience, Hughes suggests these minimum system requirements:
Operating system: PC: Windows 98 SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Mac: 9.0-10.2
13) Can I run HughesNet on a small local area network?
Yes, you can connect multiple computers and laptops to select HughesNet Classic and Premier plans. Networking equipment may be required and is not included with your HughesNet system. For network setup, support and configuration requirements, contact an authorized HughesNet partner and / or hardware manufacturer and/or operating system software developer. Hughes Europe is not responsible for home or business network configuration or management. Please understand that all computers on this network will be sharing a single connection. Simultaneous use of high-bandwidth applications by multiple users may result in degradation of speed for all users. Hughes recommends typical maximum numbers of users for all of its service plans.
14) What if my computer did not come with a Network Interface Card (NIC)? What can I do?
Many computers can be upgraded with a 10/100 Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC). If you are comfortable with opening your computer and installing hardware, most Ethernet NICs can be self-installed. Check with your computer manufacturer for more information on the right Ethernet NIC for your system. Make sure your NIC is configured for "auto-negotiate." Also, if you have an available USB port on your computer, you can purchase a USB Ethernet adapter. This may be easier to install than a PCI card in your computer. For a laptop, you can purchase a standard PCMCIA card that provides an Ethernet connection, or you can purchase a USB Ethernet adapter as well. We recommend that you upgrade your computer to meet all of the requirements listed above to get the most out of your Internet experience
15) Can I use a PCMCIA card adapter for my laptop?
Yes. All you need to connect your computer to the HughesNet HN7000S modem is either a 10/100 Ethernet Network Interface Card or a PCMCIA adapter with an Ethernet connector. The HughesNet system includes an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to the HN7000S modem.
16) Do I still need a dial-up modem and telephone line?
You do not need a phone line or dial-up data modem to use your HughesNet connection, as this is a two way satellite service.
17) Why is there a requirement that the HughesNet system be professionally installed?
To prevent possible interference resulting from the two-way signal with other independent services, professional installation is required.
18) How can I contact customer support when I have a question or a problem?
First level customer and technical support for fault identification and resolution will be provided by your local reseller or their approved dealer. Further escalations as required will be managed by your dealer through to Hughes Europe on your behalf.
19) I am an existing HughesNet user. Can I move to another dealer but retain my existing HughesNet connection?
Migrations are possible depending on circumstances. Please consult your dealer to clarify options.
20) How can I find out what service plan I am on and my current connection status?
A secure online portal designed to support customers of authorised VARs and Dealers with near real time information on a given site connection is available. You will be able to view your connection type and service status. To leverage this secure online tool, simply register at http://services.hnseu.com/ibg
21) I have a DW6000 / DW4020 / DW7000 modem having acquired this from a previous customer. How can I go about getting this connected to your service?
You may be able to get connected by contacting one of our authorised partners in Europe. You will need the serial number on your modem to assist in any options.