HughesNet Satellite Internet: Understanding the Basics

When you live in a rural area, sometimes you don’t have the Internet options that more populated areas have. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t have quality Internet options.

HughesNet is America’s #1 choice for satellite Internet service. HughesNet satellite Internet service is the perfect choice when your home falls outside the service area of cable and DSL Internet providers. To understand why HughesNet is the best rural high-speed Internet option, it’s helpful to learn a little more about how HughesNet satellite Internet works.

HughesNet satellite Internet: How HughesNet Works

Satellite Internet service from HughesNet has multiple parts that lead to one result: fast Internet access.

1. First, your home computer sends a Web page request to a Hughes satellite in space.
2. Next, the Hughes satellite contacts the HughesNet work Operations Center (NOC) to find the Web site you requested.
3. Then, the Web site sends the information back to the NOC, which then sends the information to the satellite and then finally back to your computer through your HughesNet dish and modem.

Each time you visit a different Web site, this process takes place — but the entire process takes less than a second.

How is HughesNet satellite Internet different than dial-up?

HughesNet and dial-up are usually the best options for residents in rural areas who are looking for Internet service.

Although the two are widely available, that is where the similarities end.

Dial-up goes through your phone line to provide an Internet connection. It can take a long time to get online with dial-up. HughesNet uses a satellite dish at your home and satellites in space to provide a seamless, reliable Internet connection.

Another difference between the two services is speed.

Speed: HughesNet vs. dial-up

A dial-up connection takes 1.2 minutes to load a .5mb image. A HughesNet connection could load the same image in just 2 seconds.

With a dial-up connection, it would take two and a half minutes to load a 1mb video clip. With a HughesNet connection, it would only take 4 seconds.

A dial-up connection would take almost 10 minutes to load a 4mb song or sound bite. A HughesNet connection could load the same item in 16 seconds.

If you have dial-up service, it would take more than an hour to load a 25mb software upgrade. If you have HughesNet service, you could have the same software upgrade in place in less than two minutes.

Dial-up can’t compete with satellite Internet speeds from HughesNet. Call a HughesNet representative today to learn more about how HughesNet works, what your options are and how you can get HughesNet in your home.

HughesNet compatibility

To get HughesNet service, you will need:

• Windows 2000 PE or higher (including VISTA) or Mac OS 10.1 or higher
• Network compatibility (10/100 Ethernet pre-equipped)

If you have questions about whether your computer is HughesNet-ready, call one of our representatives today.