HughesNet Satellite Broadband

I used it when it was direcway for at least 8 years. When they switched to Hughes they had an issue with their network(they was changing things for the new Hughes name) and it ticked me off, because I was paying that high dollar price and not getting service at all. So, I cancelled my service.

I went out in my yard cut 2 big trees down, installed a tower and put a directional antenna up, purchased a $500 dollar cell booster and now I pull Sprint EVDO from Indianapolis, I am a good 15 miles from the closet EVDO tower but with all the modification I did I get -68dbm.. and that is excellent signal, being right under the tower you only get -50dbm...
Cost total was around $1500 to setup, but I really like it.


Anyways back to your question..
When I used it service was fine.
You would loose service at the front of a storm for a few minutes, that where most of the static electricity is in a storm (at the front) and this would make you lose signal. But during the storm it would still have good signal unless the wind guested above 40MPH.. but then this would all depends on where and how you have the dish mounted.

About 2 times a year they will do maintenance on the system and your Internet surfing will be slow not work very well at times (usually only last 2 days out of the year. the system will go on and off all day long)

Estimated downtime is 24 hours a year.

Another thing they had back then was a download cap.
worked something like this.. (numbers are accurate)

You have a bucket full (178Mb)
now when you download it will Drain the bucket (pretty fast, 200 KBytes per second or around there)
once the bucket is empty it will only fill back at the speed rate 4 KBytes (that's just enough to surf the web but no downloading files)
It will take more then 4 full hours to refill the bucket if you did no surfing at all.


Well that it in a nutshell.

 

would it be like dumping a bucket of water, then filling it back at a slow trickle from a faucet?

Exactly


And does this "download drain" happen when opening web pages with images on it as well

No (remember 4 KBytes will be pouring back into the bucket, so by the time you leave that page it will already have replaced it, web pages are generally not big)

or just when downloading files such as MP3s or the like there of.

Yes, this is where you will run into loosing large amounts of water/KBytes

 

Your welcome.

 

We have it and have had it for 7 years now. Downtime has been less than 24 hours in 7 years including during bad weather. We have the small office plan here now. Had the residental service before. No problems there either. Downside is the 1 second latency due to the 22,000 mile bounce on the signel prevents you from playing some online games, it's not recommended for VOIP service but will do it. After the intial cost it's not much different than any other ISP service. They do enforce the Fair Access Policy but that's not an issue for most people. Simple to network with.

 

I have a full system I'd sell if you can transfer it. You'd have to have it installed and setup though. It's the newest two way system. I just couldn't afford it anymore. and we finally got dsl to my house

 

I was in the satellite field for over 20 years, Directway is for urban areas without any local DSL providers. If you have a choice stay away from this as it gets pricey and lord forbid you have any non warranty issues. Also lightning does not like these systems grounded or not, its an act of GOD meaning homeowners insurance pays. Another system is Starband/Idirect same goes for these guys but the support is a real joke.Not meaning to bash but hate to see people waste $ on a possible headache. If you have satellite related questions drop me a line and I will try to help.
Satman