Forum Discussion

TriciaS's avatar
TriciaS
Freshman
2 months ago

Hughesnet is a scam

I have been using hughesnet internet for the past 4-5 months now on the fusion plan. I called tech support to ask if the fusion plan was available in my area and they said yes. After setting up the f...
Data Management
Performance
  • maratsade's avatar
    maratsade
    2 months ago
    • I think we can all sympathise with your frustrations.  However, that still doesn't make the company a scam. It's a business, subject to and operating under business laws. And they have a tech support site (this one) where you can reach out to people who can help you.
    • There are things you can do:
      • You can call the 800 number and ask if you can downgrade -- keep in mind that this might initiate a new contract. Ask them about this before you agree to downgrade. 
      • You can work with the reps on this site. They are very helpful and they will try to improve your experience. If they can't, you may have some recourse with regards to the service termination fee. Remember though that this is satellite internet, so it's not like cable or fiber. Keep your expectations realistic. 
      • If all else fails, you can go into arbitration to resolve your grievance. See section 5 of the subscriber agreement, which explains the arbitration procedure.  
    • Best of luck to you.  

     

     

Earlzwow's avatar
Earlzwow
New Poster

TriciaS,

We've been HughesNet members since December 2023,  didn't sign up for the fusion account but opted for the elite service plan etc.

.

Great speeds when it can or wants to provide it, but let's talk about the 24.1.1 code.

Two weeks into the month 200GB is used up, no more priority data, throttle it down to 3mbps or less. 

Right now it's running at 1.1mbps.  I can't even Netflix.

Not to mention the DNS troubles, or the 2 defective routers that had to be replaced.

Locked into the 2 year contract. 

I ask, have they performed a quality service ?

Is HughesNet a scam ?

?

 

 

maratsade's avatar
maratsade
Distinguished Professor IV
2 months ago

It's not a scam, Earlzwow.   It's a business that sells data packages, splitting the finite, limited data from the satellite into packages for over a million users. As a business, they operate under the law, and they operate under policies to make sure the finite data is divided fairly.  When you use up your allowance, you're not cut off; you're throttled, and when that happens, you have no access to data hogs like streaming. 

 

Two weeks into the month you have used your data allowance. Your household is the one using the data.HN sells you a data package; they don't use the data for you.  Streaming consumes enormous amounts of data. The fair access policy is there to provide fair access to all subscribers, as satellite data is a limited amount, not infinite. It's different from terrestrial internet such as cable or fiber. It's up to users to budget their data so it lasts the whole month. 

 

It seems it makes you feel better if you blame the other party, but you're the one using the data, not them. Perhaps your time would be better served contacting your representatives and asking them to bring fast internet into your area. Fast internet companies aren't interested in rural areas or other areas of low population density, so they stay away. Contact them and ask them why they can't be bothered with rural areas.