NOTE: this page is for classic HughesNet satellite internet. If you are using the new HughesNet Gen4, please visit our Gen4 review page.
Worst ISP Since Dial-Up
It To A Friend?: Absolutely not.
HughesNet "provides," hands down, the worst "internet service" I've experienced since dial-up. Honestly, the reliability of service was better with dial-up. I only rate this service slightly above because the speeds are often better. Note that I said often. Speeds are also often comparable with those of a dial-up connection. (Remember waiting for an image to load, top to bottom, pixel line by pixel line? Yeah, that happens.) And the service often cuts in and out - like really often - like throughout the day, every day - and often drops off for longer period, sometimes hours at a time. If there is a storm in Arizona, we don't have internet access in northern California. Yeah, I'm not joking.
Streaming: When streaming (short) videos, very, very rarely will they play continuously without interruption; movies, never. Periodic pausing to reload is the norm. HD does not exist. Sub-SD is the norm. Sometimes a movie/video will never re-buffer and I'll be forced to give up.
Gaming: Don't even think about it.
I will say that their customer service has been ok. They can't fix the problems, but it's not their fault.
All this, and at what price? It's expensive for a quality service. And this is far from a quality service.
In summary, I would like to convey the severity of the frustration and misery that this service causes me on a daily basis. Alas, we have no cell signal where we live and this is the only ISP option. Some days, I'm really not sure it's worth it. I beg you, please, do not sign up for HughesNet "internet service."
Run AWAY NOW
It To A Friend?: NO - NEVER!
DO NOT USE THIS WORTHLESS INTERNET SERVICE! This is the worst service I have ever had (if you could call it a service). They throttle your speed down to NOTHING! They claim upfront that you will get 20gig, but then by some magic power, that 20 gig is used up within hours of your billing cycle (even though there is no way, with our previous provider we barely used 15gig per month). They then "claim" that once your initial is used up, your speed will drop slightly - WRONG, they cut you off so badly that you can't even load up Facebook without waiting for 5 minutes and then it times out. Don't bother trying to stream anything or watch a simple Youtube video. You would get faster information if you got in your car, drove to a library and then looked the info up in an encyclopedia and then drove back home - before HugesCRAP would download it for you! Trying to contact anyone with half a brain or with any type of authority to actually look at your problem is worse than pulling teeth. Try to cancel after you sign up? Good luck, they stick you with huge cancellation fees that they somehow forget to disclose when you sign up for this crappy non-service. I disconnected everything from Hugescrap modem for a month - then called and still got told that I used up my allowance of 20g - I asked them how because nothing was connected and they couldn't tell me. I asked what got downloaded or used - they couldn't tell me. They still charged me for the month and I told them to cancel my service - and yes, they then disclosed the unknown $400 cancellation fee!!!!! This company is a RIP OFF and a SCAM! I have reported them to the FCC and hopefully I can help others from getting ripped off by them. IF ANYONE SAYS HUGESNET - RUN AWAY FAST!!!! You should be able to get away from them easily because they are so friggin slow!
The worst service ever.
It To A Friend?: Never Never Never
This is a scam, it is the worst service in my life time. The worst company money hungry bastards.
I think is a SCAM when they have not provided the services guarantee or expressed. They were suppose to have had a Supervisor to call and still have not gotten that call, they keep telling me that someone will call within 5 working days, no call yet.The people in India or Manila or somewhere down there have no idea about the problems we are facing here in America with this terrible company HughesNet.
TERRIBLE-TERRIBLE-TERRIBLE.
It's ok for the money
It To A Friend?: Yes
It is a little slow but where I live it is the best option. Some tasks do take extra time but still not too bad
My Worst Business Experience Ever
It To A Friend?: Never a Friend or Non Friend
I was forced into using because of a change of business location and couldn't find a provider. I was told that if I gave notice within 30 days that there would be no penalty, that was not true. I contacted them Saturday December 28th, 2019 by email since their office wasn't open over the weekend. I told them that I was tied up with medical appointments for IVIG treatments Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during the days of the following week, so I could not get back to them because of their very short office hours. I would try to get back to them later. They are trying to rip me off with a $930.00 Early Cancellation Fee which is absolutely absurd. Not to mention that for the 28 days that I was their customer their service was absolutely a Joke. I thought it would improve but never did. The download and upload speeds were so terrible that a lot of the the information was lost. I know on several occasions I lost complete emails or transmissions of information between my office and long time customers.
Sometimes I would have to download 3 or 4 times for email and it kept saying time out and would jump out of the download. Then I would start again. I lost several customers in only 1 month's time through their service. Also the Phone service was also terrible and all voice information was always on a short not understandable delay, quite annoying. However, the customer service department was just as annoying and very unreasonable and non listening to criticism. What a terrible company to try to work with. I refuse to pay their early cancellation fee of $930, what a joke.
I was ripped off for terrible unreliable service. Beware out there for these type of companies. I am also going to report them to the BBB.
It To A Friend?: No
I have been with you for 3 years or more and haven't really had a complaint until now. I tried to contact you by phone but wasn't able to get to talk to a real person. I was able to talk to someone about new accounts but he wasn't able to help with up grades. Phone numbers for that problem couldn't be reached. I needed someone to fixed router because it is running to slow for Dish on Demand and Home Computer to work at same time. Do I need to look for another provider? You can contact me at 318-687-4589, 318-469-1386, 318-686-8934.
RIP Off
It To A Friend?: No
I called starting day two after signing up. 3 weeks late in installation. Then no service for 30 days as I was not on correct beam. Still charged me. Deceptive sales tactics. Never explained how plan really works. If you use to much you haveto keep buying more. I called 25 times in 2.5 months. Certainly not worth my time. I filed FCC complaint but still had to pay a fee to early terminate. They told me they would take the money from my bank as I was on auto pay they did not and put me in collections. You decide
HORRIBLE COMPANY
It To A Friend?: NEVER
Worst company ever. Installers are awful and so is the pricing and service. And God forbid you have a problem. Over an hours every time I had to call. And don't try to cancel - take pictures or screen shots of everything like I did - only way you can prove their records are wrong. They don't keep accurate usage records!!!
Horrible. Run Run Run. Rip off
It To A Friend?: I would not nor recommend it to my worst enemy
This system sucked from day one. On the phone for hrs. Just to find out it does not work for every one. So out comes the I am sorry it will cost you 400.00 to cancel. their are no word to describe my anger with this (company) if any one can call it a company.
Super Annoyed Orting Wa
It To A Friend?: Never
Never signed two year contract for crappy service. My TV buffers. I get drop calls. But I cancel bc it 400 dollar cancellation fee and additional cost until the 3rd month. They use my card on file to automatically set my payment each month out my permission. Mid Eastern people for customers service. Do you can’t understand them to top it off they can’t help you.