HughesNet is the leader in developing and delivering data services and Satellite Internet technology to home users, small to large businesses, and government agencies. With 30 years of satellite industry experience, HughesNet is America's #1 Satellite Internet service provider. Delivering high quality Satellite Internet technology, service and support at an affordable price, HughesNet the clear choice for your Home and Business Internet needs.
| HughesNet vs. WildBlue Overview |
HughesNet |
WildBlue |
| Total satellite installations in United Sates |
350,000+ |
100,000+ |
| Total satellite installations worldwide |
1.2 million+ |
100,000+ |
| Number of operational satellites |
9 |
2 |
| Years providing Satellite Internet service |
10+ years |
1+ years |
| Years in business operation |
30+ years |
6+ years |
| Develops satellite and communication systems equipment and components |
Yes |
No |
| Owner and manager of Network Operations Centers (NOC) |
Yes |
No |
| Installation available nationwide |
Yes |
No |
| Proprietary network security and encryption infrastructure |
Yes |
No |
| Uses Internet Protocol Over Satellite standard (IPos) - a communication standard developed by Hughes that is optimized for satellite networks |
Yes |
No |
| Uses DOCSIS - a communication standard developed for the architecture of land based cable networks |
No |
Yes |
| System requires customer to install software |
No |
Yes |
| Limitation on number of computers connected to system |
No |
Yes |
| Dynamic IP Addressing (NAT) |
Yes |
Yes |
| Static IP Addressing option available |
Yes |
No |
| Minimum service commitment |
24 month |
12 month |
| Standard Warranty |
24 months parts
and labor |
12 months parts
90 days labor |
| Cost for standard warranty service calls within warranty period (Labor Cost) |
Free |
$75/hr after 90
days of service |
| Fair Access Policy (FAP) restriction |
24 hour refresh++ |
30 day refresh+ |
| HughesNet vs. WildBlue - Service Plan Comparison |
HughesNet |
WildBlue |
Tier 1 service plan
- Equipment / Standard Installation
- Monthly cost
- Download speeds
- Upload speeds |
Home
$199.98 after rebate**
$59.99
1000 Kbps
128 Kbps |
Value Pak
$299.00*
$49.95
512 Kbps
128 Kbps |
Tier 2 service plan
- Equipment / Standard Installation
- Monthly cost
- Download speeds
- Upload speeds |
Pro
$199.98 after rebate**
$69.99
1200 Kbps
200 Kbps |
Select Pak
$299.00*
$69.95
1000 Kbps
200 Kbps |
Tier 3 service plan
- Equipment / Standard Installation
- Monthly cost
- Download speeds
- Upload speeds |
ProPlus
$199.98 after rebate**
$79.99
1600 Kbps
250 Kbps |
Pro Pak
$299.00*
$79.95
1500 Kbps
256 Kbps |
Tier 4 service plan
- Equipment / Standard Installation
- Monthly cost
- Download speeds
- Upload speeds |
Elite
$199.98 after rebate**
$119.99
2000 Kbps
300 Kbps |
Not Available
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A |
Tier 5 service plan
- Equipment / Standard Installation
- Monthly cost
- Download speeds
- Upload speeds |
Elite Plus
$199.98 after rebate**
$189.99
3000 Kbps
300 Kbps |
Not Available
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A |
Tier 6 service plan
- Equipment / Standard Installation
- Monthly cost
- Download speeds
- Upload speeds |
Elite Premium
$199.98 after rebate**
$349.99
5000 Kbps
300 Kbps |
Not Available
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A |
| * |
WildBlue system equipment and standard installation pricing shown after Free Installation promotion. The regular price of WildBlue standard installation is $179.95 and the regular cost of the WildBlue equipment is $299.00. |
| ** |
HughesNet system equipment and standard installation pricings shown after $100 HughesNet mail-in Rebate and $100 Dealer Referral Rebate. The regular price of HughesNet equipments and standard installation before rebate is $399.98. |
Fair Access Policy (FAP)
| + |
WildBlue's Fair Access Policy (FAP) is based on a rolling 30 day limit on data usage per customer called a usage threshold. If you exceed the FAP threshold, your bandwidth (speed) will be reduced for the remainder of the 30 day period when your system quota refreshes and you are again within your limits. During this period, your bandwidth will be reduced to 28Kbps until your system refreshes. |
| ++ |
HughesNet's Fair Access Policy (FAP) is based on a 24 hour period. If you exceed the Fair Access Policy threshold, your bandwidth (speed) will be reduced for a period of 24 hours. During this period, your bandwidth will be reduced to 56Kbps until your system refreshes. |
About HughesNet
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services for large enterprises, governments, small businesses, and consumers. HughesNet is a fully managed, nationwide broadband offering from Hughes that encompasses all broadband solutions, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial technologies. Its broadband satellite products are based on the IPoS (IP over Satellite) global standard, approved by the TIA, ETSI, and ITU standards organizations. Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes maintains sales and support offices worldwide. Hughes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUGH).
HNS has over 30 years experience in global operations, with over 350,000+ consumer and small business subscribers in the United States and 1.2 million systems world wide in over 100 countries. HughesNet is the secure Internet solution of choice for 36% of convenience stores nationwide with retail installations in over 50,000 gas station/convenience stores. According to the 2005 annual VSAT industry report prepared by Communications Systems Limited (COMSYS), HNS had a worldwide market share of 55% in 2004 based on the number of terminals shipped. HNS holds a Protection of Cardholder Information (PCI) Data Security certification; the standard developed by VISA and MasterCard to secure bankcard transactions, and maintains the largest managed communication services network to accommodate secure transaction processing. Independent auditing of the HNS network is conducted by the Internet Security firm Internet Security Systems (ISS).
HNS’ invention of small satellite dishes, generally 1.8 meters or less wide, commonly known as very small aperture terminals, or VSATs, over 20 years ago enabled it to provide large enterprises highly reliable, end-to-end communications with guaranteed quality of service regardless of the number of sites or their geographic location. HNS’ networks are used for a variety of applications such as Intranet and Internet access, voice services, connectivity to suppliers, franchisees and customers, credit authorization, inventory management, content delivery and video distribution. HNS often customizes the applications for particular markets.
HNS currently serves more than 200 large companies in the Fortune 1000, mainly in businesses which have numerous widely dispersed operating units like gas service stations, convenience stores, fast food franchises, automotive dealerships and retail stores. HNS leveraged its experience in these areas and adapted its technologies to service growing markets like small business and residential. HNS is currently the largest satellite broadband Internet access provider to consumers in North America, with approximately 350,000 subscribers.
About WildBlue
WildBlue was founded as KaSTAR Satellite Communications in Colorado in April 1995. In May 1997, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) assigned WildBlue fixed-satellite service (FSS) licenses for 2 orbital locations. WildBlue launched its Internet service in June 2005 after gaining access to the U.S. capacity of Telesat Canada's Anik F2 telecommunications satellite which launched in July 2004. WildBlue's second satellite, WildBlue-1, was contracted to be built by Space Systems/Loral and was launched in early 2007. WildBlue-2 is in the process of being procured.
 Picture # 1 shows where it came into the house 6
in. above the carpet in a closet/bedroom and then out of that room
12 in. above the carpet.
Picture # 2 shows the cable being ran at an angle down my roof.
(what the installer couldn't run a straight line?)
Picture # 3 is where the wire came out into the office 12 in. above
the carpet and the modem was plugged in there.
Picture # 4 shows how they ran the cable on the outside of my house
between the rain gutter and our front entrance.
Picture # 5&3 shows how they ran a red Cat-5 cable across the room
and behind the desk and plugged it into the computer.
Their great deal this month is free installation. I guess you get
what you pay for.
I'll never let them back into my house again!
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