HughesNet vs. Wild Blue


Find out why HughesNet is the choice for satellite internet access

There are a variety of service providers that provide data services and Satellite Internet to large businesses and government agencies. For the small to medium sized business or residential customer, the choices narrow down to a few companies. The two most prominent are HughesNet and Wild Blue.


General Overview of Satellite Providers HughesNet Other Guys
Total satellite installations in United Sates 375,000 50,000
Total satellite installations worldwide 1,000,000 50,000
Number of operational satellites 13
Years providing Satellite Internet service 13 years 3 year
Years in business operation 30+ years 6 years
Manufactures satellite system equipment Yes No
Manufactures communications satellites Yes No
Services US government and US military Yes No
Services large-business, enterprise (Fortune 1000) customers Yes No
Services small to medium business customers Yes Yes
Services home-office and residential customers Yes Yes
Number of network operations centers (NOC) 3 1
Owner and manager of network operations center (NOC) Yes No
Proprietary network security and encryption infrastructure Yes No
Uses Internet Protocol Over Satellite standard (IPos) Yes No
System requires customer to install software for normal operation No Yes
Limitation on number of computers connected to system No Yes
Minimum service commitment 24 month 12 month
Parts warranty 24 months 12 months
Labor warranty 24 months 90 Days
Service call fee after 90 days Free $75/per hr
Ka / Ku band compatible Yes No
Fair Access Policy (FAP) Maximum  Recover Time 8 hour refresh² 30 day refreshı
Satisfaction Guarantee, Return Policy 30 Day 30 Day
30 Day return Fee $0 $79.00
30 Day return Refund on hardware Yes Yes



HughesNET Home vs. Value Plan Comparison HughesNet Other Guys
Upfront Cost (after rebate) $249* $249.00*
Monthly Service $59.99 $49.99
Download Speeds 700kbps 512kbps
Upload Speeds 128kbps 128kbps
Daily Max Download Threshold, Based on 30day month ³ 525mb 250mb
Upload Threshold Daily Max Based on 30day month No Limit 76mb
Threshold Reset 4-8hrs Up to 30days
Number of emails included 5 5
Mailbox size 2,000mb 25mb
Included Labor Warranty 15 Months 90 Days
Included Parts Warranty 15 Months 12 Months
Warranty Repair Labor cost with in 90 days Free Free
Warranty Repair Labor cost with in 15 months Free $75 Per Hr.



HughesNET Professional vs. Select Plan Comparison HughesNet Other Guys
Upfront Cost $249* $249.00*
Monthly Service $69.99 $69.99
Download Speeds 1000kbps 1000kbps
Upload Speeds 200kbps 256kbps
Daily Max Download Threshold, Based on 30day month 620mb 400mb
Upload Threshold Daily Max Based on 30day month No Limit 100mb
Threshold Reset 4-10hrs Up to 30days
Number of emails included 5 5
Mailbox size 2,000mb 25mb
Included Labor Warranty 15 Months 90 Days
Included Parts Warranty 15 Months 12 Months
Warranty Repair Labor cost with in 90 days Free Free
Warranty Repair Labor cost with in 15 months Free $75 Per Hr.



HughesNET ProPlus vs. Pro Pak Comparison HughesNet Other Guys
Upfront Cost $249* $249.00*
Monthly Service $79.99 $79.99
Download Speeds 1500kbps 1500kbps
Upload Speeds 200kbps 256kbps
Daily Max Download Threshold, Based on 30day month 620mb 566mb
Upload Threshold Daily Max Based on 30day month No Limit 100mb
Threshold Reset 4-12hrs Up to 30days
Number of emails included 5 5
Mailbox size 2,000mb 25mb
Included Labor Warranty 15 Months 90 Days
Included Parts Warranty 15 Months 12 Months
Warranty Repair Labor cost with in 90 days Free Free
Warranty Repair Labor cost with in 15 months Free $75 Per Hr.




Fair Access Policy (FAP)

  1. WildBlue (FAP) Fair Access Policy is based on a rolling 30 day limit on data usage, 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.
  2. The HughesNet Fair Access Policy (FAP) is based on cumulative download threshold for a set volume of data and is not based on a 30 day period. While you are using up your allotted bandwidth, your system is also refreshing. If you exceed the FAP threshold, your bandwidth (speed) will be reduced for a period of time until your system quota refreshes and you are again within your limits. During this period, your bandwidth will be reduced to 50-400Kbps until your system refreshes. This typically takes from 1-4 hours depending on your usage and always refreshes within 24 hours
  3. Daily Max download Thresholds are based on a 30day month. With the end user having 2-3 download sessions per day.
  4. HughesNET & WildBlue prices are shown after instant savings and mail-in rebates.

WildBlue Fair Access Policy (FAP) Monthly Usage Thresholds

  Value Pak Select Pak Pro Pak
Upload Threshold (MB) 2,300 MB
(76 MB/day avg.)
3,000 MB
(100 MB/day avg.)
5,000 MB
(166 MB/day avg.)
Download Threshold (MB) 7,500 MB
(250 MB/day avg.)
12,000 MB
(400 MB/day avg.)
17,000 MB
(566 MB/day avg.)
  1. Upload Threshold is the volume of data that can be uploaded during the previous 30 days before the Fair Access Policy may restrict the user’s speeds.
  2. Download Threshold is the volume of data that can be downloaded during the previous 30 days before the Fair Access Policy may restrict the user’s speeds.

HughesNet - Fair Access Policy (FAP) Parameters

  Home Pro ProPlus Elite ElitePlus Business Internet
Download Threshold 200 MB 375 MB 425 MB 500 MB 500 MB 1250 MB
Recovery Rate 50 Kbps 56 Kbps 56 Kbps 150 Kbps 150 Kbps 400 Kbps

HughesNet service and system was compiled from www.hns.com and www.HughesNet.com as of 3/01/06. WildBlue service and system data was compiled from www.wildblue.com as of 3/01/06.

HughesNet Rebates

Receive up to $200 back when you order your HughesNet Satellite Internet.

With our current rebates & promotions, HughesNet is more affordable than ever.  Receive $100 mail in rebates on our Home, Pro, ProPlus, Elite or  ElitePlus Plans.  In addition to our rebates receive another $100 when you refer a customer.

What are you waiting for, Experience the internet the way it was meant to be.

Satellite Internet Rebate

HughesNet Testimonial

                         

“Words can’t express my gratitude. Thanks for employing such wonderful and  smart installers.”

-Christine Watson
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“My HughesNet System was installed in  just 3 days!!”

-James Christy
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“I don’t know how I lived without it.”

-Ivan Palumbo
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“We are very happy with your services.  The Internet is just as fast as the one I have a work.”

-Lorrie & Daniel
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“I wanted to say the customer service  and phone support I received from Elite Satellite was exceptional.”

-Stan Tanner
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“Since my HughesNet Service has been  installed, it has changed the way I do things when surfing the internet.”

-Debbie McEwen
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“It was an easy process to go through and I'm so glad that we decided to get  it!”

-Curtis Barr
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