Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Internet via Satellite?

A: Hughes is able to offer high-speed Internet service via satellite for homes all over the country, including those in rural areas. This is thanks to satellite technology that is much like the satellite systems used for televisions.

With HughesNet^®, you can receive Internet by satellite. The Internet connection reaches your personal computer via a satellite that communicates with your dish and modem through the Hughes Network Operating Centers (NOC).

Once you sign up for HughesNet, a certified installer will contact you to set up a time to come to your home and install your satellite Internet system. The system contains a satellite dish and modem. The satellite dish is small enough to be attached to your home in a south-facing direction. Find out what to expect at installation.

The satellite dish needs to face south because most satellites are positioned in space near the earth's equator. Depending on where your home is located, these satellites could be as far as 22,000 miles away, but because Internet via satellite is so technologically advanced this distance hardly makes a difference, even with rural Internet connections.

Latency as a Result of Internet by Satellite

Although it takes less than a second to send data to and from your satellite Internet system, there is a small delay that is referred to as latency. This is customary with any satellite feed, even Internet via satellite, and it doesn't affect most Internet usage. However, users are discouraged from participating in certain video games, like multi-player “twitch” games for example, because the latency does cause a delay.

This is similar to the delay you may have experienced when using a cell phone. In most cases, latency isn’t apparent while surfing online. Once the technology is set up in your home, connecting to the Internet via satellite is simple.

With a broadband satellite Internet connection from Hughes, you can have high-speed Internet access regardless of where you live and without using a phone line.

Sign up for a Satellite Internet System or by calling toll-free: 1-866-830-6637.