If they have a monopoly, it's because no one else gives a fig about bringing internet to rural areas. No one's keeping Comcast out; they just don't care because there aren't enough customers for them to give a rat's behind about coming in. So Hughesnet brings internet that's much better than what you could get if they weren't around. But given that you're lucky enough to live in a free country, you can always go with the other options you may have in your area, bad as they likely are, or you can go without internet, or you can move to a place that has cable. No one's forcing you to have a service you don't like.
yes, it does suck. The company has a virtual monopoly in many areas in this country, so they do what they want with no accountability to anyone.