HughesNetReviews 203

My 85-year old father recently contacted Dish TV about getting a package deal for TV service and also internet (which they bundled through Hughes Net). A Dish representative came out and set up both the TV and the internet. He explained my father would have both; it was a 2 year contract and didn't explain that the internet plan was a 'Data' plan - mostly used with cell phones. Residential areas mainly need 'speed' plans due to different requirements. Computer internet usage in residential areas is often determined by Windows upgrading itself or security updates or even streaming on TVs. My dad uses internet for both his computer and TV (and even his house phone). They never said that after 10GB of data, his internet speed would go down to 1 Mb/s - slow enough that most items won't work properly. The box that Dish set up with this 'bundle' and the computer went through the data in just 1 day and for the rest of the month Dads at 1 Mb/s; his phone has a 1 second delay for anyone talking (not only hard to talk but using 911 is a major concern) and Netflix will not stream any movies. He tried numerous times to figure out why he had slow internet. When I contacted Hughes.net to try and help, they told me to disconnect his TV box and his computer... I asked what was the point in having internet if everything is disconnected. They then tried to sell Dad a higher data plan. Of course, any 'data' plan would have the same issue and they wanted more money. When I tried to terminate Dads plan (which is what he wanted by then), they said there would be a termination fee even though they set up a bad product for my Dads situation. Dish and Hughes.net set my elderly father up in a bad contract and won't rectify the situation.

The only thing worse than Hughes net's internet service is their customer service. For months we upgraded our package and NEVER received the bandwidth that we paid for. Customer service had HUNG UP on us more than once. Stated that an internet provider doesn't have the ability to send an email (they must use their own service), and blamed our equipment as the reason our service was sub-par (four laptops, three tablets, three smart phones where all defective apparently). After paying over $170 per month for service that was slower than my cell data 4G connection, Hughes wanted to charge us anywhere between $300-$600 to terminated their service, the amount changed with every service rep we spoke too. While trying to end our service, one rep informed we that we could not cancel service without their tech validating out complaint about the service and that we would be required to continue to pay for their service if their system said it was functioning correctly. Stay away, do not waste your money or time with this provider.

We upgraded to the Gen 5 after our two year contract was over. We asked on the phone and asked the service technician who came to install the modem if it affected our contract. We were told NO from both. Now five month of crappy service later, we are told we automatically have another two year contract by upgrading. And, get this, because we didnt complain enough about the slow speed and breaks in service, our wanting to discontinue service isnt good enough. We owe $350 to cancel and 19 months of unused service! We went with a local company and have an download speed over 8 and under 1 with Hughesnet.

When I was interested in getting Hughes Net, the salesman was very attentive. He gave me his direct phone number and promised to be my contact. I have NEVER AGAIN been able to reach him. In fact, its nearly impossible to get to talk with anyone. Furthermore, the service simply doesnt work if its cloudy or windy, and its in and out the rest of the time. Its useless. When I cancelled my service, I got socked with close to $500 in termination fees, which is ridiculous because HughesNet never delivered what they were supposed to. Do NOT get fooled by the grand promises. This company is as horrible as it gets.

If I could give a lower score I would! I don't even have Hughes Net and was calling to see about their service... I was wanting to move in with my sick uncle in his rural area. I call in and explain the situation to the India guy and he states well since you don't like us there are no other options so I guess you won't be moving in with him, huh?!
Say what? I don't even have your service and that was one of the most rude things I've heard! I get 200mbps and you tell me 25mbps will work with what I need also. Ok, ok! Yeah right! They just want your money. No way I'm going to them! Potential customers be aware!

I had to cancel my service and am being charged a penalty, this despite HughesNet wholly misrepresenting the service, its use to me and its eventual actual cost.

I explained to the agent when first exploring whether or not to sign:

1. I work from home and am on internet most of every day.
2. I have a Netgear Orbi system which uses 2 routers.
3. I stream music up to my stereo on another floor using an Apple Airport Express.
4. I have a 4K TV and stream in high res.

My question to him, therefore, was, would the 20 gig plan be sufficient?

Here is what he told me:

1.20 gig will be sufficient for my needs. The Internet will be fine and with 25 mbps, far faster than a DSL. Not true. 20 gig lasts 4-5 days only and then HughesNet slows the mbps rate to the point where it takes up to 30 seconds to load a simple web page. This might be called a denial of service. I would have to more than triple my expense to get coverage for the month.

2. Orbi will be fine. Not true. Their tech support is saying they think the Orbi is eating data and is not compatible with the system. I should use the wifi on the HughesNet router.

3. If I cannot use the Orbi, I cannot stream music. I work in the music field and this is not an option.

4. He should have told me what their tech support has now told me: that high res streams use up 3 gig per hour and I will not be able to use high res on my TV bought for this purpose.

There are one of 2 possible explanations:

1. The salesperson misrepresented the service and was wrong about all the key data.

2. The company itself is involved in a bait and switch and has its sales persons say whatever they have to to make the sale.

I have now called on 9 occasions, spent nearly 5 hours on the phone, been promised 3 calls back that never came. Yet, to my surprise, one of their agents told me my story was not believed.

Don't make my mistake. Avoid.

I called hughesnet to let them know that I have not been able to send or receive email for the last 3 plus weeks and they sent me to my ip provider. I called my provider and they sent me back to hughesnet. So I called hughes again they TRIED to sent me back to my ip. I said NO not again, this is an email problem. Everything else is working just fine. All of a sudden they tell me that I canceled my account with them. Not only did they say I cancelled but it was way back in April, here it is 11/2016 and the lack of service has only been the last 3 or so weeks. How did I get emails between April and November if I canceled? I said fine now I will cancel and I did. Now I have the FUN (not) of letting all my contacts that I have changed my email address. Nice way to treat a long time customer. To all the hughesnet customers out there, I wish you the best of luck. Shame on you hughesnet for treating a customer like trash, and just throwing them away.

We only have one option where we live. Hughesnet. First off, we understand it is satellite, not DSL. So expect it to be slower. That isnt the problem. First problem, the sales department is trained to lie to you. I wrote down word for word what myself and the salesman agreed to with the monthly plan. Everything from price to GB's and free usage during non peak times. My first bill was $45 more than I was told it would be! I called customer service and after an hour and a half and talking to 3 people I finally was transferred to some manager who told me he didn't know what the salesman meant by the plan he gave me. I still had the paper where I wrote everything down on the day I ordered the service. This guy told me they have never offered the plan I was telling him I was supposed to get. So after a half hour on the phone with him I was given a $20 credit on my bill for 1 year, which is coming to an end now so I will be calling back. It was still $25 more than what was originally agreed upon. I pay $83 a month for slow service, in which they take speed away whenever they want. And I pay to lease their equipment, which I understand a lot of companies do that. But you put something on my house even though I specifically said if it could go on the ground to do that. They said it couldn't. However DirecTV came out 4 months later with their service and their satellite is pointing in the same direction on the ground! After all this I did what I should have done from the start. I researched this company. So if you dont listen to me at least look at all the reviews online. You will be shocked with how many complaints there are on this company.

HORRIBLE! Don't waste your money! If your only have the option of dial up or hughesnet... dial up is the better option. Hughesnet only give you a certain "allowance" of mb or gb of download & it's nothing compared to what you get with other companies. This company is a joke. Not to mention there horrible customer service. I tired to get out of my contact with 6 months left & they said they will be $400. I finally had to file a complaint with the better business bureau

Great service for areas where dialup is your only option. I switched from Peoplepc and am thrilled. I have had the service for almost a year now. Read the details on the website. You are NOT getting high speed all you can eat type internet service. You have download and upload limits that are imposed by the government. Be sure you understand what you are getting before you sign up.

Hughes net is NOT for gamers. There is lag time on satellite service that makes it impossible to play real time games. By the time your computer has caught up with the last persons move its too late for you to react. Don't even try it! You will be unhappy.

Hughesnet is also NOT for people who do a lot of video watching online, Downloads of movies etc. You just DON'T have the usage for it. Again, you are not going to be happy.

What Hughesnet IS good for is general browsing, checking your email, research, school work, forums, sending photos etc to family. It works great on sites like Ancestry.com where you need to look at scanned documents. So much faster than dialup.

Know what you are getting before you buy so you will not be unhappy. The website give you ALL the information you need to make your decision. They want you happy too! If you are stuck on dialup give them a chance.

The website offers a lot of different options. You get email addresses with your service. The only thing I consistently use on the website is checking where I am at on my usage. There are very helpful tools to do so and also a download for a usage meter on your desktop.