Forum Discussion

TG2's avatar
TG2
Sophomore
8 years ago

Is unlimited data in Hughesnet future?

Just curious if Hughesnet will ever get unlimited data. Excede has come into my area an offers it. Speeds up to 25mbps, unlimited data for $150 per month. $100 for the first 3 months. It's expensive, but when you consider unlimited data, it's worth it when you can get no other services. I've had average service with Hughesnet, it's just to expensive for the small amount of data you get. Even the 50GB plan for around $129 is laughable to be honest. For $20  more bucks I can get unlimited. Anyways, hoping you all change your minds and jump up to the future. Thanks!

  • GabeU's avatar
    GabeU
    Distinguished Professor IV

    Perhaps in the future, but doubtful that it will be anytime soon.  It's not a question of what they feel like offering, it's a question of throughput.  

     

    And, as has been suggested, the grass isn't always greener, no matter how it may look from a distance.  

    • BirdDog's avatar
      BirdDog
      Assistant Professor

      The new standard for "unlimited"  (Exede) seems to mean they don't shut you off entirely.  HughesNet could start offering 500 GB plans with the caveat that they might start slowing things down at 10, 20, 30 50 GB based on loading. Actually no different than what is already being offered IMO.

       

      The "unlimited" thing is very subjective and a lot misleading as far as I'm concerned. Exede can say they have an "unlimited" 150 GB plan but the speed can still be anything from 1 Mbps to the max possible speed. Nothing is guaranteed by either provider if you read the fine print.

       

      Nothing is guaranteed by either satellite provider when it comes to constant speed. You won't get max speed 24/7 with Exede "unlimited" plan, I guarantee that. Just like I don't get max speed 24/7 with my plan on HughesNet. Sorry, not how it works with either provider.

      • GabeU's avatar
        GabeU
        Distinguished Professor IV

        Very true.  When it comes right down to it, Hughesnet's service is already unlimited, just not with the advertised high speed part.  

         

        Actually, technically, even the legacy plans were unlimited, though the FAP speeds were/are VERY slow.  

  • I called HughesNet, and was told that the 25Gb plan would be plenty for my home.  For the record, I am a heavy streamer through Apple TVs and have a smart home with multiple connected devices.  I did disclose all of this information to sales.  Imagine my surprise when I blew through my allotted data in 3 days!  I would have happily paid more for more data, but the truth is Hughes does not have any data plan that is big enough for me.  I've jettisoned the streaming and have satellite TV.  Perhaps it will last a week or two now. :-/ 

     

    Customer support, though nice, didn't have any tips past what I knew (to stop idle data use).  Please educate the sales team on data usages for folks like me.  You will save yourselves some unhappy customers. 

    • MarkJFine's avatar
      MarkJFine
      Professor

      I see this complaint come up a lot, and you'll have to pardon me if it strikes me a problem that could easily be avoided.

      Just curious as to how "heavy streamer", a subjective amount, can possibly be interpreted by someone you don't know into a GB amount for a non-technical person to make such an assessment?

       

      Given that, why would a customer even believe the answer? There are so many variables that's it's the salesperson's fault if they answer it at all or if they can't (and they really can't). So, if you'd have asked me the same question (and I'm not a salesperson) I'd have given you the same response, "yeah, sure, why not?"

       

      Pardon me for saying, but I just find this such a ridiculous argument. If you had a previous service with another company (since you already know you're a 'heavy stremer'), you should already know what kind of usage you generate.

       

      Don't ask a non-technical person who is there to sell something he can't possibly answer, and expect a valid answer.