Hughes Network Systems, Maryland

Broadband Internet service is increasingly crucial both at home and at work, yet there are few Internet options for rural residents. Satellite Internet is currently the best choice for these locations, The number one provider of satellite internet in the United States is Hughes Network Systems, with over 500,000 subscribers in North America.

Hughes Network Systems’ HughesNet satellite Internet service provides speeds significantly faster than other rural options, and speeds can be comparable to broadband cable and DSL.

Satellite bandwidth is inherently more expensive than terrestrial cable because of the cost of building satellites and sending them to space. However, the basic HughesNet Home package offers maximum download and upload speeds of up to 1.0 Mbps and 128 Kbps, respectively, for approximately $60 per month. This is comparable to basic DSL service and is available anywhere, even in areas with no telephone or cable service.

Because satellite bandwidth is finite, customers who engage in heavy downloading or frequent video streaming may experience a temporary reduction in speed. For customers with high bandwidth needs, HughesNet offers Pro, Elite, and ElitePremium plans with higher bandwidth thresholds.

Latency also plays a role in satellite Internet service because satellite signals must travel long distances through space. However, while HughesNet customers may experience slight delays when compared to urban cable or DSL services, HughesNet speeds are still significantly faster than other rural Internet options. Customers should also be aware that latency-sensitive applications such as virtual private networks (VPNs) and Voice over IP (VoIP) services are not recommended.

Hughes Network Systems currently provides high-speed Internet service across all areas in the United States, as well as internationally. HughesNet can be purchased from the company’s website or from an authorized reseller.