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HughesNet (formerly DirecWay) is the current brand name of the one-way and two-way satellite broadband Internet technology and service in U.S. and Europe owned by Hughes Network Systems. The service was originally called DirecPC and was only available as a one-way satellite Internet option, as uploading was accomplished with a dial-up modem connection. The original consumer DirecPC service launched in October 1996 .

Technology

HughesNet offers Internet service delivered via satellite. The current system is a VSAT platform for two-way Internet service via satellite. In the past, DirecWay (and the former DirecPC) used a conventional dial-up modem for the return (upload) path. HughesNet uses conventional Ku-band satellites on a variety of geosynchronous satellites.

The HughesNet satellite Internet system uses FSS-type Ku band satellites for transmission of data from the HughesNet network operations center's Internet connection to its customers' personal computers. In contrast, competitor WildBlue uses K_a band transmission.

While HughesNet definitely has its critics, it is important to note that HughesNet is a vendor of NASA and other government sectors and in many states, it is HughesNet equipment that operates the state lottery systems (look on top of any convenience store for a dish). HughesNet is also used by many major companies such as Chase Bank, Denny's and other companies. HughesNet also make remote POS and ATM terminals possible where no other mode of service is available. HughesNet was a powerful force in the Hurricane Katrina area due to no other forms of communication being available.

HughesNet requires no phone service, no phone line hook-up or associated costs and does not require any other connection other than electricity or a generator.

Equipment

HughesNet systems employ a fixed-mount 0.74 meter dish attached to a pole or building. Some extreme northern locations require a larger 1 meter dish to ensure adequate signal strength.

At the customer's computer, the DW3000 USB modem were used with one-way setups, while DW4000 USB were used on two-way customers' systems. The newest modems are the HN7000S (2007) that have several major improvements over the older DW4000, including automatic software upgrades over the network, a smaller box, an Ethernet connection in addition to a USB interface, as well as rudimentary IP routing as a basic firewall. In the HN7000S modems, all system functions are controlled via web applications, so that any connected computer with a web browser can use the HughesNet system, regardless of what operating system is used.

HughesNet is also in fairly widespread use among RVers, because it offers a near-broadband connection to the Internet from almost anywhere in the US, including remote areas where no other method (e.g., cell phone) is feasible. There are two ways of using HughesNet in mobile applications, both employing the same 0.74 meter dish, LNB, and modem used in fixed installations.

1. MotoSAT offers an automatically-aimed antenna that's mounted on the roof of a trailer or motorhome, at an installed cost of about $5,000-$6,000. Setup is simple: once activated, the dish locates the satellite on its own, and is typically online within five minutes or so. The MotoSAT mobile system is officially sanctioned by HughesNet.

2. Several vendors offer tripod-mounted, manually-aimed portable systems for $1,200-$1,700. The dish is mounted on a large portable tripod, and must be aimed by hand each time it's set up at a new location. An experienced user can be online within 20-30 minutes of arriving at a campground. Most tripod-mount systems use adapted surveyors' tripods, but Dustyfoot (probably the largest vendor of these systems) uses a specially designed tripod that's more rigid and more durable.

HughesNet does not officially support the use of tripod-mount systems, but they have done nothing to discourage their sale, and thousands are in daily use. Although technical support is not available from HughesNet, resellers provide support, and the DatastormUsers website hosts an active community of users who also provide support.

There is an FCC requirement to be "2-way microwave transmission" certified to install a 2-way satellite setup. This is true, but not actively enforced. The FCC recommends that you become trained in the proper methods of pointing a 2-way dish under 2 watts. Above that, you need a license to operate 2-way satellite. HughesNet systems are typically 1 watt, however some are 2 watts or 4 watts depending upon the upstream maximum data rate and class of service.

Name change

On March 27, 2006, DirecWay officially changed its name to HughesNet. The previous DirecWay name was fully retired on April 22, 2006.

Criticisms

Network latency

All satellite Internet providers have been criticized for their high network latency, which makes the service unusable for many applications. A prominent example is network gaming. Multiple players connect their gaming consoles or personal computers to the Internet and participate in an online game (e.g. Counter-Strike or MGS Portable Ops) to compete against each other. The communication and synchronization between each player is highly important. These games require the possibility of reacting quickly to events occurring in the game (for example, attacking an opponent). With a latency of 1.5+ (increases as bandwith is used) seconds, normal gameplay is seriously affected, and makes gameplay almost impossible or very annoying. Other applications such as instant messaging, Voice over IP or video conferencing also suffer due to the increased latency. Such applications typically require a near-realtime performance (with the exception of instant messaging) to provide a minimal quality of service and facilitate natural communication. Further effects of network latency include an overall reduction in throughput and reliability. However, general web browsing or e-mail applications remain largely unaffected.

Fair Access Policy

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The Fair Access Policy (FAP) is outlined in the HughesNet Terms and Conditions. The FAP is a policy that limits the total amount of data that can be downloaded by a user in a rolling 24 hour period. The most basic HughesNet plan allows users to download 200 megabytes during a "typical day", or about 24 hours, before the throughput is limited to significantly less than 56k dial-up modem speeds for a period of 24 hours upon the condition that "bandwidth intensive activities are minimized". If not, the throughput can continue to be limited beyond 24 hours. The user's usage can be checked online and the information is about 1-2 hours behind. Each plan has it's own FAP usage terms, with 200 MB being on the low end. It is important to note that the 425 MB daily plan on the 1.54 speed is almost always sufficient for most internet users and many do not even come close to using it.

According to HughesNet, the download/upload limit is based on a virtual "bucket" that gets used up by downloads. Once the "bucket" is emptied, it is removed for approximately 24 hours, leaving the user with a download speed of roughly 35k for the duration. Downloads are not currently monitored between 3am - 6am EST which means you can download as much as you like, and many HNS users use download management software (free) to schedule thier updates and other downloads during this time.

By comparison, WildBlue's FAP is not on a 24 hour basis, but rather, a monthly basis meaning once you have exceeded your limit, you are waiting til the end of your month before you can "replenish".

It is important to note that FAP is in place so that "bandwidth hogs" do not keep the average internet user from being able to access their service in a speedy manner.

Price

Satellite Internet can be more costly when compared to other forms of Internet access, but satellite prices have come way down in the past year. HughesNet offers a very convenient promotional payment plan (for the modem, equipment and installation) where you chooose your monthly service and then add on only $20.00 per month for the first 24 months or you can pay for the modem, equipment and installation upfront.

For the "HughesNet Home" 700/128 kbit/s plan described above, installation is $399.95 up front, and basic service is $59.99 monthly (as of August 2007). There is a $100.00 mail in cash rebate after the first billing cycle. An upgraded service with higher bandwidth (1.0 mbps) is available for $69.99 monthly and 1.54 mbps for only $79.99 per month. Mobile systems are more expensive, ranging from $1,200 to $6,000 in equipment costs.

The HughesNet equipment and modem that you pay for, is owned by you. It is not a lease or rental like most DSL or cable providers.

HughesNet also offers business class service which starts at only $99.99 per month. Business class equipment, speeds and the FAP is different than residential service.

HughesNet also offers a "vacation service" which is convenient for those who expect long periods of inactivity. Simply contact customer service and tell them you want to start vacation service.

Weather

HughesNet uses Ku-band frequencies, which can experience signal degradation during very heavy rain. Typically some customers will experince short outages lasting only a few minutes. This rain fade can cause degraded performance and outages in the HughesNet service. This is similar to outages suffered by DirecTV satellite television service which also operates on Ku-band frequencies, though it is not as severe as those systems that use the Ka-band such as WildBlue.

Since the HughesNet equipment and dish are larger than WildBlue and DishNetwork, instances of "rain fade" are much less than their counterparts. Also, as you may already know, in the event of severe weather such as lightning, tornadoes, etc, you should NOT be on your computer no matter which ISP you use.

It is recommended that subscribers in heavy snow areas purchase a "Dish Warmer/Heater" to use during the winter months, or simply brush off your dish when necessary.

Commercials

Throughout its history, HughesNet has run a series of television commercials featuring actress Margaret Easley. Each time the name of the service has changed, a new commercial has been filmed. The central message of each commercial is fairly consistent, stating to viewers that anyone in the continental United States can have Internet access and "all you need is a clear view of the southern sky." Most of the commercials are 60 seconds in length, but there have also been 30-second variants as well as 30-minute infomercial-length variants which are broadcast both on normal DirecTV channels as well as on DirecTV channel 227, a channel that DirecTV uses solely for its own infomercials.

One of the commercials had a demonstration of the service with web pages moving very fast, but if one looked at the program bar of IE, "Microsoft Internet Explorer - Working Offline" - which meant that they weren't connected to the Internet when loading the pages. As of May 2006, an older DirecWay commercial is hosted and viewable on Margaret Easley's website.

See also

• Satellite Internet access

External links

• HughesNet Home Page
• HughesNet Customer Care Portal
• Hughes Network Systems, LLC - Corporate Home Page
• Spaceway
• MotoSAT Home Page
• Dustyfoot Home Page

• Internet companies of the United States
• Internet service providers of the United States
• Satellite Internet