HughesNet

My very ill 76 year old mother in law signed up for this service and was very disappointed. At no time during the day or night was the service reliable, so slow you couldn't watch anything on TV, no reliable web browsing, all in all awful and what's worse still, when she tried to cancel because she needs to leave the state to move in with us due to health concerns (recovering from lung cancer at 76 with COPD), they charged her a 590 cancellation fee and took it out of her account without permission! We explained to HughesNet that she was moving in with us, they offered us the service of which we declined of course (I work from home and need reliable internet with a VPN) so they turned around and debuted that money out of her account within two weeks with no warning. They are heartless liars in my opinion, worse company I've ever tried to do business with when trying to help her with her service and cancellation! I would not recommend to anyone!

Hughesnet is not by any means the worst corporate villain out there, and their products will not kill you like cigarettes, known and deadly automotive defects and medical devices with documented (and lethal) side effects, to name a few, but if you have any other alternative for internet service then by all means buy that rather than getting Hughesnet Gen 5 internet satellite.

Like their dishonest, disreputable and more deadly corporate cousins, Hughesnet places profit and share price ahead of morality, honest and simple human decency, although as indicated their satellite internet will not kill you (unless you kill yourself because Netflix streaming is so unwatchable that you throw yourself off of a cliff).

The basic fact that potential customers need to realize is that the advertised speeds do not match the quality of what you realize on your TV. Not even close you might get a speed test result of 25 MBPS on testmynet.com, but the quality of the viewing is as the Netflix speed test indicates, which is consistently around 0.5 MBPS. And there is nothing they can do apparently to fix that. It must have to do with the way satellite internet works at this point in time.
Cover up is then the name of the game here when you discover that the service does not work for streaming as they advertise, and nothing they do can fix the problem, as happened to me and many others judging by the very poor reviews Never admit anything is the strategy deny, deny, deny.

So what that I was able to achieve decent internet streaming when I finally managed to get DSL service installed so far away from the DSL node that only 2 MBPS was possible? So what that the Netflix speed test showed 0.5 MBPS with Hughesnet when theirs showed 21 and the picture was so scrambled that I didn't know if I was watching Star Wars or 60 Minutes other than for the sound? So what that an experienced LG TV tech who came out and checked out the TV explained that in his experience you could just not use satellite internet for streaming?

All of that was just fluff and not our problem type stuff when I finally cancelled Hughesnet. And by God were they ever going to stick it to me with a $300 early cancellation fee and a $600 early equipment return fee because this was all as advertised and above board, and strictly, somehow, my problem.

Except that it is not, and it seems that continuous real time streaming is simply not possible with current satellite technology. And, given the number of 1 star reviews I have read that say exactly the same thing in different review forums, they have to know this and simply don't care. If they can sell the service with glib promos and slick sales pitches they will, and when a customer says enough is enough Hughesnet will take as much as they possibly can monetarily to pad their bottom line and try to make it your problem.

I owned my own business (I'm a veterinarian) for many years and we almost always tried to make it right when people were unhappy, even when we had clearly practiced very good medicine and surgery. Simply to help, because that was the right thing to do. Unfortunately, many businesses, and especially large corporations, do not follow this moral compass. Because quarterly profit is all that counts, fair play and basic honesty be damned.

If you do have to get satellite internet because there are no other options, and want to watch movies, it is possible to download Netflix and Amazon movies with either an app or a third party program to your Mac or PC, and then use screen sharing if your computer and TV support that. That is not ideal, but at least you get a watchable TV program or movie on your nice big Smart TV.

It would be really uplifting if for once a corporation like Hughesnet looked at all of this negative stuff and the unhappiness it causes, came clean, and apologized without being forced to by some sort of glaring media exposure. Based on their responses to my Better Business Bureau complaint, that is not going to happen with Hughesnet. But if I can save even one other person the aggravation of having to deal with them, then to inform good people to stay away will at least have been worth it.

My 85-year old father recently contacted Dish TV about getting a package deal for TV service and also internet (which they bundled through Hughes Net). A Dish representative came out and set up both the TV and the internet. He explained my father would have both; it was a 2 year contract and didn't explain that the internet plan was a 'Data' plan - mostly used with cell phones. Residential areas mainly need 'speed' plans due to different requirements. Computer internet usage in residential areas is often determined by Windows upgrading itself or security updates or even streaming on TVs. My dad uses internet for both his computer and TV (and even his house phone). They never said that after 10GB of data, his internet speed would go down to 1 Mb/s - slow enough that most items won't work properly. The box that Dish set up with this 'bundle' and the computer went through the data in just 1 day and for the rest of the month Dads at 1 Mb/s; his phone has a 1 second delay for anyone talking (not only hard to talk but using 911 is a major concern) and Netflix will not stream any movies. He tried numerous times to figure out why he had slow internet. When I contacted Hughes.net to try and help, they told me to disconnect his TV box and his computer... I asked what was the point in having internet if everything is disconnected. They then tried to sell Dad a higher data plan. Of course, any 'data' plan would have the same issue and they wanted more money. When I tried to terminate Dads plan (which is what he wanted by then), they said there would be a termination fee even though they set up a bad product for my Dads situation. Dish and Hughes.net set my elderly father up in a bad contract and won't rectify the situation.

The only thing worse than Hughes net's internet service is their customer service. For months we upgraded our package and NEVER received the bandwidth that we paid for. Customer service had HUNG UP on us more than once. Stated that an internet provider doesn't have the ability to send an email (they must use their own service), and blamed our equipment as the reason our service was sub-par (four laptops, three tablets, three smart phones where all defective apparently). After paying over $170 per month for service that was slower than my cell data 4G connection, Hughes wanted to charge us anywhere between $300-$600 to terminated their service, the amount changed with every service rep we spoke too. While trying to end our service, one rep informed we that we could not cancel service without their tech validating out complaint about the service and that we would be required to continue to pay for their service if their system said it was functioning correctly. Stay away, do not waste your money or time with this provider.

DO NOT SIGN A CONTRACT WITH HUGHES NET. - read to the end, please!
I am writing this review to dissuade anyone thinking about getting Hughes Net. Do not listen to anyone who has had a " good experience" with Hughes Net. I made that mistake and now I feel as if Hughes Net has stolen money from me.

At first everyone, you talk to at the sales department is really friendly and they promise that you will have no issues accessing the internet. They say if you ever have any issues they will come out and help you get it straightened out. They say that if you get the higher data plan you will be fine with streaming and gaming. They make a lot of promises and it is 100% a scam.

The first WEEK we had Hughes Net it stopped working. I couldn't load Pinterest or Netflix or anything. I called into customer service and they said it was because there were clouds in Arizona and it was blocking the Satellite dish... I asked her if there were any clouds ever if that was going to keep me from using the internet because they didn't go over this on our sales talk. She said she would look into it. I hung up and got charged $1.00 for my call to customer service. Still no internet.

After that it was spotty. We could load Facebook or our online bills for about 10 min a day. Nothing more. After months of paying $85.00 and not having internet, I finally called customer service again. The first guy told me to monitor when we didn't have internet. I just monitored when we did. I was charged another $1.00 for the call. I called in again and said we are still not having any luck being able to access the internet. All they told me was that it looked fine from their end. When I asked why I didn't have internet if everything looked fine they gave me some dumb response to beat around the bush and get me off the phone. I was constantly tossed from one rep to another being told my internet was fine even though I couldn't load the Hughes net website. I was charged $1.00 for every call. I froze my account. At some point, I got on the phone AGAIN and got a sales rep. He said I shouldn't be having any of the issues I was having and that customer service should have sent out a technician to help me. I got transferred back to customer service and they said they would have to troubleshoot first. Where was the offer to troubleshoot months ago? They looked up my account and said that because it was on hold they wouldn't be able to troubleshoot for 72 hours. Such a joke. When I told them I was done with the crappy customer service and wanted to cancel they all of a sudden were able to troubleshoot. I just told them to put it back on hold and hung up. And yes, I was charged another $1.00 for the call. I called my bank and canceled the card I had on file with them.

In order to cancel your contract with Hughes Net, you are charged a $400.00 termination fee. I was not going to pay that for something I was never given or never worked in the first place. They sent me a box to send back their equipment. That box was the nicest thing Hughes Net ever did for me. I am now facing collections for not paying the early termination fee. Okay, I get that from not paying but IT NEVER WORKED. And you want to steal more of my money? You already got $85.00 a month and didn't even give me internet in return.

Honestly, Our Verizon hot spot and jetpack were they only way i was able to get internet where I live. Now and when we had Hughes Net.

Please do not get Hughes Net. It says in their contract that they don't warranty anything. The service is the worst I've ever experienced. They charge $195 to send someone out to look at your equipment. Their contract also says that they don't guarantee that the internet with actually give you the speeds and data they offer. I thought, " it can't be that bad," but it was. Get Dish Network or Direct TV or get a good data plan on your phone with access to a hot spot. If you really want to go for Hughes Net after this then at least read the terms and conditions VERY carefully and realize you won't get help from anyone at Hughes Net for any issues you face.

We upgraded to the Gen 5 after our two year contract was over. We asked on the phone and asked the service technician who came to install the modem if it affected our contract. We were told NO from both. Now five month of crappy service later, we are told we automatically have another two year contract by upgrading. And, get this, because we didnt complain enough about the slow speed and breaks in service, our wanting to discontinue service isnt good enough. We owe $350 to cancel and 19 months of unused service! We went with a local company and have an download speed over 8 and under 1 with Hughesnet.

When I was interested in getting Hughes Net, the salesman was very attentive. He gave me his direct phone number and promised to be my contact. I have NEVER AGAIN been able to reach him. In fact, its nearly impossible to get to talk with anyone. Furthermore, the service simply doesnt work if its cloudy or windy, and its in and out the rest of the time. Its useless. When I cancelled my service, I got socked with close to $500 in termination fees, which is ridiculous because HughesNet never delivered what they were supposed to. Do NOT get fooled by the grand promises. This company is as horrible as it gets.

If I could give a lower score I would! I don't even have Hughes Net and was calling to see about their service... I was wanting to move in with my sick uncle in his rural area. I call in and explain the situation to the India guy and he states well since you don't like us there are no other options so I guess you won't be moving in with him, huh?!
Say what? I don't even have your service and that was one of the most rude things I've heard! I get 200mbps and you tell me 25mbps will work with what I need also. Ok, ok! Yeah right! They just want your money. No way I'm going to them! Potential customers be aware!

I had to cancel my service and am being charged a penalty, this despite HughesNet wholly misrepresenting the service, its use to me and its eventual actual cost.

I explained to the agent when first exploring whether or not to sign:

1. I work from home and am on internet most of every day.
2. I have a Netgear Orbi system which uses 2 routers.
3. I stream music up to my stereo on another floor using an Apple Airport Express.
4. I have a 4K TV and stream in high res.

My question to him, therefore, was, would the 20 gig plan be sufficient?

Here is what he told me:

1.20 gig will be sufficient for my needs. The Internet will be fine and with 25 mbps, far faster than a DSL. Not true. 20 gig lasts 4-5 days only and then HughesNet slows the mbps rate to the point where it takes up to 30 seconds to load a simple web page. This might be called a denial of service. I would have to more than triple my expense to get coverage for the month.

2. Orbi will be fine. Not true. Their tech support is saying they think the Orbi is eating data and is not compatible with the system. I should use the wifi on the HughesNet router.

3. If I cannot use the Orbi, I cannot stream music. I work in the music field and this is not an option.

4. He should have told me what their tech support has now told me: that high res streams use up 3 gig per hour and I will not be able to use high res on my TV bought for this purpose.

There are one of 2 possible explanations:

1. The salesperson misrepresented the service and was wrong about all the key data.

2. The company itself is involved in a bait and switch and has its sales persons say whatever they have to to make the sale.

I have now called on 9 occasions, spent nearly 5 hours on the phone, been promised 3 calls back that never came. Yet, to my surprise, one of their agents told me my story was not believed.

Don't make my mistake. Avoid.

I called hughesnet to let them know that I have not been able to send or receive email for the last 3 plus weeks and they sent me to my ip provider. I called my provider and they sent me back to hughesnet. So I called hughes again they TRIED to sent me back to my ip. I said NO not again, this is an email problem. Everything else is working just fine. All of a sudden they tell me that I canceled my account with them. Not only did they say I cancelled but it was way back in April, here it is 11/2016 and the lack of service has only been the last 3 or so weeks. How did I get emails between April and November if I canceled? I said fine now I will cancel and I did. Now I have the FUN (not) of letting all my contacts that I have changed my email address. Nice way to treat a long time customer. To all the hughesnet customers out there, I wish you the best of luck. Shame on you hughesnet for treating a customer like trash, and just throwing them away.

We only have one option where we live. Hughesnet. First off, we understand it is satellite, not DSL. So expect it to be slower. That isnt the problem. First problem, the sales department is trained to lie to you. I wrote down word for word what myself and the salesman agreed to with the monthly plan. Everything from price to GB's and free usage during non peak times. My first bill was $45 more than I was told it would be! I called customer service and after an hour and a half and talking to 3 people I finally was transferred to some manager who told me he didn't know what the salesman meant by the plan he gave me. I still had the paper where I wrote everything down on the day I ordered the service. This guy told me they have never offered the plan I was telling him I was supposed to get. So after a half hour on the phone with him I was given a $20 credit on my bill for 1 year, which is coming to an end now so I will be calling back. It was still $25 more than what was originally agreed upon. I pay $83 a month for slow service, in which they take speed away whenever they want. And I pay to lease their equipment, which I understand a lot of companies do that. But you put something on my house even though I specifically said if it could go on the ground to do that. They said it couldn't. However DirecTV came out 4 months later with their service and their satellite is pointing in the same direction on the ground! After all this I did what I should have done from the start. I researched this company. So if you dont listen to me at least look at all the reviews online. You will be shocked with how many complaints there are on this company.

HORRIBLE! Don't waste your money! If your only have the option of dial up or hughesnet... dial up is the better option. Hughesnet only give you a certain "allowance" of mb or gb of download & it's nothing compared to what you get with other companies. This company is a joke. Not to mention there horrible customer service. I tired to get out of my contact with 6 months left & they said they will be $400. I finally had to file a complaint with the better business bureau