What’s satellite Internet?
Satellite Internet connects users to the Internet using a satellite instead of the conventional phone line deliverys. Such Internet connections provides always-on Internet connection and its conenction speed is pretty fast. With download speed ranging from 700kbps to 1.5mbps, the surfing experience is quite alike with broadband connections and the service receive lots of positive feedbacks from the customers.
Which satellite Internet services to go for?
There isn’t much choice when it comes to satellite Internet services. HugesNet and DirectWay were the major two in the past but they are now merged - so yes, HugesNet is our recommendation here.
HugesNet’s satellite Internet offers
There are three different packages in HugesNet for the customers: HugesNet Home, HugesNet Pro, and HugesNet Pro Plus. Here are the service specs and pricing details.
| Comparisons |
HughesNet Home
|
HughesNet Pro
|
HughesNet Pro Plus
|
| Max. download speed |
700Kbps
|
1.0Mbps
|
1.5Mbps
|
| Max. upload speed |
128 Kbps
|
200Kbps
|
200Kbps
|
| Email accounts (2GB per account) |
5
|
5
|
5
|
| IP Address |
Dynamic
|
Dynamic
|
Dynamic
|
| Email defense (Spam & Virus Filter) |
Included
|
Included
|
Included
|
| 24/7 live technical support |
Included
|
Included
|
Included
|
| Warranty (limited) |
15 months
|
15 months
|
15 months
|
| Term commitment |
24 months
|
24 months
|
24 months
|
| Pricing: Promotional purchase
|
|||
| Upfront fee |
$99.99
|
$99.99
|
$99.99
|
| Monthly fee |
$99.99
|
$109.99
|
$119.99
|
| Addon: Dialup mobility |
$15/mo
|
$15/mo
|
$15/mo
|
| Online subscription | |||
| *Promotional purchase includes free installation (worth $199), equipment cost (worth $299), and 15 months of service assurance ($5.95/mo x 15). | |||
DumbShoppers: Who should get satellite Internet?
If you live in rural area, there’s no cable TV services and there’s no ADSL neither. How do you connect to the Internet? The only answer is satellite Internet. 
Satellite Internet might not be as fast as ADSL connection, but hey, it’s faster than your papa’s dialup!
Drawbacks: Who should avoid satellite Internet?
Online gamers please be cautions. If you are getting satellite Internet for online games (like World of War Craft), perhaps you should reconsider.
The problem with satellite Internet service is not about its speed - it’s rather about the stability connection. Satellite Internet works perfectly well for normal surfing. However, it’s common to have latency problem with the connection - no big deal (at all!) for normal surfing but will have problems for online gaming. When you’re playing online game with satellite Internet, the latency error probably will cause a constant lagging effects which will affect your gaming experience.
