Hughesnet Gen4

How to check for line of sight to the HughesNet Gen4 Satellite?

To receive a good signal from the new HughesNet Gen4 satellite, you need a clear line of sight between the satellite and the satellite dish antenna located at your home or business.

Trees, mountains, buildings and other solid obstacles will impair, or prevent the signal from making the necessary connection to the internet.

To understand how to find the satellites you must first understand how the satellite stays in the same position relevant to earth’s surface. For those of you that have been following this blog, you can jump over this as we covered it about a month ago.

The satellites are located above the Earth’s Equator, approximately 23, 000 miles, in a belt known as the Clark Belt. When the satellite is placed in its orbital position, it will stay in the same position relevant to the earth’s surface. This is why you do not have to have a motor and tracking device on your dish. The satellites do have a minimal amount of propellant to make minor adjustments. So, once your installer points your new HughesNet dish at the satellite, there should be no need for any further adjustments (unless you drive a lawn tractor like me!).

 There are many sites on the internet that will give you the coordinates to locate the satellite from your home. This is where those merit badges from boy scouts or those sailing courses from collage will come in handy.  The HughesNet Gen4 is located in the 107.1 orbital positions. You will need to locate two angles: the azimuth and the elevation.

The azimuth is the compass direction the dish must face to point towards the satellite. The second angle is the elevation; this is the angle above the horizon that you will target to reach the satellite. Generally, the farther north you go, the lower the angle. Because the satellites are located in the western hemisphere, most HughesNet dishes located in the United States will point towards a location on the equator that is south of Texas.

One of my favorite sites for finding dish angles is dishpointer.com.

Here you can enter your address and zip code, select your satellite (EchoStar 17 for HughesNet Gen4) and their program will calculate your angles and display a line to the satellite on Google maps. Remember that there is a difference between true north and magnetic north. If you are not sure of the deviation in your area, call your local airport.

At Dish Pointer you will also find a link to a great little tool that every professional installer should have: An Android or I Phone Satellite Locator App. The app is worth its weight in gold to any installer that doesn’t live in a desert.

This app can be purchased at dishpointer.com.

 I personally would like to thank the people that created this app as it has made is possible to get installation in that I would have never attempted in the old days. A worthwile $20 investment!!

Hay!, I am one of those, since 1999!

International Satellite & Antenna Service is one of the nation’s oldest and largest satellite installation dealers. Established in 1983, they have been selling and installing HughesNet (formally Direcway- DirecPC) from the very beginning.

International Satellite & Antenna Service is a HughesNet National Retailer. Their sales staff are available 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-592-3814. New customers that have technical question can ask to speak directly with one of their certified installer technicians (usually available between 8 AM EST and 8 PM EST). If a certified tech is not available, just leave your number with one of our friendly representatives and they will call you back usually within 24 hours.

Existing HughesNet customers requiring bill ing or technical support should call their local HughesNet Tech support team at the number given to them at the time of installation. International Satellite & Antenna Service only provides technical support to new customers or customers that origionally pruchased or upgraded their system through them.

5 Common Myths about Satellite Internet

Myth #1 – Satellite Internet service is not available to homes in rural areas.

Hughes offers satellite Internet everywhere in the contiguous United States, including rural areas. Hughes is a reliable satellite broadband provider that supplies high-speed Internet service in areas where cable and DSL are not always available.

Myth #2 – The satellite dish must be attached to a roof.

Although 97% of the time satellite antennas are attached to the roof of a home, satellite Internet service providers don’t always require it. A HughesNet-certified installer is able to determine where on (or near) your home the satellite should be mounted.

Myth #3 – Using Satellite Internet ties up your phone line.

HughesNet delivers high-speed Internet access over satellite – not over your telephone line – so you can talk on the phone and surf the Web at the same time. That can save you money by eliminating the need for a second phone line.

Myth #4 – Satellite Internet equipment is big and complicated.

The eight-foot wide satellite dishes from the 1980s are a thing oavailability, f the past, at least when it comes to the satellite dishes provided by most broadband providers. Residential customers of HughesNet only need a computer, modem, two coaxial cables, and the satellite antenna. The antenna is just .74 meters wide.

Myth #5 – When it is cloudy, satellite Internet doesn’t work.

Your satellite Internet connection is not affected by most clouds. Satellite Internet from HughesNet is only affected by weather in extreme circumstances such as heavy storms or unusually dense clouds. If you have difficulties with your service, contact HughesNet Customer Care and Technical Support staff.

HughesNet Gen 4 Current Promotions Review

As the holiday season approaches, let’s review the current promotions available with the New HughesNet Gen4.

Special Rate for New Customers*

$49.99 is available with the Power service plan only. Plan only available on the EchoStar XVII satellite. Certain geographical areas are not covered by this satellite. $9.99 monthly equipment Lease fee applies. HughesNet service and equipment must be leased between 09/17/12 and 12/31/12. May not be combined with Reseller rebates. Restrictions may apply. Offer void where prohibited.

Special Lease Offer*

*$99 instant savings applies to the Lease of a new HughesNet system. Not applicable with the Purchase option. HughesNet equipment and service must be ordered between 09/17/12 and 11/30/12. Other restrictions may apply. Offer void wherever prohibited or restricted by law. New customers only.

 Free Standard Installation – Lease Only

Free standard installation valid on Lease orders only. Not valid with Purchase option. Limited time offer. New customers only.

 New Purchase Orders Save an Extra $199.99 After Mail-in Rebate*

$199.99 mail-in rebate applies to the Purchase of a new HughesNet system. Not applicable with the Lease option. HughesNet equipment and service must be purchased between 09/17/12 and 12/31/12. HughesNet service must remain active for a minimum of 31 days. Rebate submission must be received by 03/31/13. Other restrictions may apply. Offer void where prohibited by law. New customers only.

Existing Customer Upgrade

Existing HughesNet customers living in areas service by the New EchoStar 17 satellite may be eligible for  a low cost upgrade to Gen4. Existing customers should call 1 800 592-3814 to see if they qualify. Be sure to have tour email address and SAN Number ready when you call.

Disclaimers:  Stated speeds are not guaranteed.
**Plans only available on the EchoStar XVII satellite. Certain geographical areas are not covered by this satellite.
† Offer represents $10 savings on Power plan $49.99 promotional monthly rate. Valid on Purchase or Lease orders between 09/17/12-12/31/12 on the Power plan only and does not apply to other Service Plans. HughesNet service must remain active for a minimum of 31 days. Other restrictions may apply. Offer void where prohibited by law. New customers only.
² Monthly Download Allowance is the sum of the Anytime and Bonus Bytes.
All plans require a 24-Month commitment.

Rapid Start for HughesNet Gen4 Satellite Internet Service in

First 30 Days of Operation

Customers Praise the Speed and Performance of the New Service

Germantown, Md., November 12, 2012

—In the first 30 days of operation the new HughesNet® Gen4 high-speed satellite Internet service has been met with overwhelming positive feedback from consumers across the U.S., as they enjoy dramatically faster speeds and performance. Overall activation rates in October are substantially higher than the previous record month, and dealers are reporting faster installation times of customer terminal equipment due to a streamlined set-up process.

Hughes, the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, designed its HughesNet Gen4 satellite Internet service to deliver the performance required to support today’s high-bandwidth applications, including social media and video and music streaming. HughesNet Gen4 service delivers high-speed Internet at speeds up to 15 Mbps so customers can stay connected with friends, family and colleagues while enjoying all of the rich online content the Internet has to offer. Customers are enthusiastically praising the new service.

“HughesNet Gen4, wow, I can browse the web, update Windows7 and listen to Pandora all at the same time. I can have two computers, two cell phones, and my Nook connected with little or no slowdown,” said Susan, a HughesNet Gen4 customer in West Virginia.

Mark, a customer in Louisiana said, “I can download music and even stream videos using the Gen4 service. I can also monitor my home’s security cameras due to the much faster upload capabilities of the new Gen4 service. This was not possible with older satellite technology. For anyone who lives in a remote area with no available DSL or cable service, the new HughesNet Gen4 Internet service is the only way to go.”

“We couldn’t have asked for a better response to HughesNet Gen4. Customers are enthusiastic about exactly what it delivers—superior speeds at an affordable price and available across the U.S.,” said Mike Cook, senior vice president, North American Division at Hughes. “Your digital life shouldn’t be limited by where you choose to live. With HughesNet Gen4, you can live where you love and still stay connected.”

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the world’s leading provider of satellite broadband for home and office, delivering innovative network technologies, managed services, and solutions for enterprises and governments globally. HughesNet is the #1 high-speed satellite Internet service in the marketplace, with offerings to suit every budget. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 2.8 million systems to customers in over 100 countries, representing over 50 percent market share. Its products employ global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A, and GMR-1.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes operates sales and support offices worldwide, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), a premier global provider of satellite operations and digital TV solutions.

Hughes Wins $24 Million Mexican Government Contract

for New National Broadband Satellite System

 11,000-Site Network Brings High-Speed Internet Access and Voice Services to Unserved Areas, Connecting Schools, Hospitals and Community Centers

Germantown, Md., USA, November 19, 2012

—Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, announced today that it has signed a contract with the Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transport (SCT) to supply and build an 11,000-site broadband satellite network that will span the entire country and bring high-speed Internet and voice connectivity to previously unserved regions.

The new $24 million network will connect schools, hospitals, government locations, community centers, and public calling offices across Mexico’s 32 states. Hughes is contracted to roll out the network in five months, starting in October, 2012. The company won the contract through a competitive selection process that included major international and Mexican broadband satellite equipment providers. The network will be operated by Telecomunicaciones de Mexico (Telecomm Telegrafos), a decentralized government office in charge of telecommunications in Mexico with a great deal of proven experience in satellite operations.

“Hughes has been providing products and services to SCT for 25 years, and has proven it is a reliable supplier to the Mexican government,” said Monica Aspe Bernal, coordinator of SCT’s Agency for Knowledge and Information. “On a project of this scope and importance, an open public competitive bidding process is mandatory. Other major broadband satellite equipment providers participated in the bid and Hughes’ proposal came out on top.”

Hughes will supply every component of the network, from its advanced HN System Network Operations Center and 11,000 broadband terminals, to the fiber optic/Internet interconnection equipment, data compression/optimization technology, IP phones, and wireless access systems to serve remote locations. Almost 1100 solar power systems will be supplied to support equipment off the power grid.

“We’re proud that Hughes was the winner of this important tender for this significant opportunity,” said Nick Marzella, Hughes vice president of sales, Latin America. “As we’ve done in the past, we will strive to retain SCT’s trust and confidence in our ability to create one of the world’s largest broadband networks in such a short time window—with enormous potential social and economic value.”

Hughes Unveils Three New High-Performance Broadband

Plans for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Tailored to Business Needs with Higher Speeds, Download Allowances and Business-Grade Support

Germantown, Md., November 26, 2012

—Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the leader in broadband satellite solutions and services, has introduced three new HughesNet® Gen4 Business Internet service plans that deliver speeds up to 15 Mbps for small and medium-sized enterprises, ideal for locations where terrestrial high-speed Internet connections are either too expensive or unavailable.

The new HughesNet Gen4 Business Internet plans provide download speeds of 10 Mbps or 15 Mbps and a choice of generous data allowances tailored to the needs of the business. The three service plans are Business 200, Business 300, and Business 400, with prices from $79.99 to $129.99 per month. All plans include HughesNet Express Repair Premium at no cost for the first year, which provides next business day onsite response time; free anti-virus software for up to three PCs; commercial installation; and business-grade support.

HughesNet Gen4 Business Internet provides broadband access in the continental U.S. and is ideal for sites without DSL service or where other options are expensive, such as T1 lines. The new service plans are powered by the recently launched EchoStar® XVII satellite with JUPITER

™

high-throughput technology— a next-generation Ka-band satellite employing a multi-spot beam architecture and providing the industry’s fastest satellite Internet speeds.

“Small and medium-sized businesses with limited or no access to landline broadband Internet deserve the same high quality and speed available in well-served areas,” said Sam Baumel, vice president of SME at Hughes.

“HughesNet Business Internet gives them the performance they need no matter where they choose to work or live.”

Hughes Announces High-Performance

Broadband Plans for Government Agencies

Germantown, Md., November 27, 2012

—Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the leader in broadband satellite solutions and services, introduced new high-speed Internet service plans for government agencies. Available across the U.S. and offering speeds up to 15Mbps, the new plans are ideal in areas where terrestrial Internet connections are either unavailable, are too slow, or too expensive.

“Today’s government missions demand higher performance connectivity than ever before. With the new Hughes Internet Access Solutions for government, agencies can take advantage of the most advanced network of high-capacity satellites in the industry , offering speeds up to 15Mbps and the freedom to work anywhere in the U.S,” said Tony Bardo, assistant vice president for government solutions at Hughes.

The new Hughes Internet Access Solutions are powered by the recently launched EchoStar XVII

® satellite with JUPITER™

high-throughput technology. This next generation Ka-band satellite employs a multi-spot beam, bent-pipe architecture to provide the industry’s fastest satellite Internet speeds.

The plans offer download speeds of 10 Mbps or 15 Mbps and a choice of generous data allowances tailored to the needs of the government. All tiers come with Hughes enterprise-grade equipment and are backed by Hughes service and support.

Thirty days after the official launch of the HughesNet Gen4 High Speed satellite Internet service, EchoStar 17 continues to provide the highest speed satellite broadband available to customers in North America.

The EchoStar 17 satellite, built by Space Systems Loral, was launched aboard an Arian 5 heavy lift rocket, on July 5, 2012. The launch took place at the Guiana Space Center. This launch marks the 49^th successful launch for the Arian 5 rocket.

The original name for the satellite was Jupiter; however it was renamed when EchoStar, the parent company to Dish Network, purchased Hughes in 2011.

The primary use of the satellite is a high speed satellite Internet service marketed under the trade name of HughesNet Gen4. The EchoStar 17 satellite will provide 60 Ka Band spot beams to over 80% of the populated areas in the United States. The satellite provides 140 GB of bandwidth in each of its 60 spot beams. The expected life of the satellite is 15 years.

What Satellite Company has the Fastest Download Speeds?

Satellite Internet has finally come of age in 2012. In 2011, millions of homes in the U.S. that live beyond the reach of conventional wire-line internet service and wireless internet service were limited to satellite service that offered a maximum download speed of 2Mbps. Some cellular service reached into a few areas with their new 3 G & 4G cellular internet service, but for the majority of consumers, the only way to get speeds at the 1.5 or 2 Mbps level was to pay the satellite broadband companies $80 a month or more.

Here comes 2012 and ViaSat (parent company to WildBlue) is  the first out of the gate to offer true high speed satellite internet services with the introduction of the new Exede High Speed Satellite Internet Service www.exede-usa.com. The Exede broadband platform began to offer consumers living in the eastern and some states in the central region of the United States, as well as selected areas in the western states, 3 plans that all offered the same fast speeds from the new ViaSat 1 satellite: Up to 12 Mbps Downloads and up to 3 Mbps uploads.

The basic plan from Exede cost $49.99 a month and there is a $9.99 a month equipment lease fee. With the basic plan you got a monthly data limit of 7.5 GB (recently expanded to 10 GB). The Exede satellite service offers unlimited bandwidth use between the hours of 2 AM and 7 AM. The other two plans offer the same speeds, but give a larger monthly data limit: 15 GB a month for $89.98 and 25 GB for $139.98 a month (lease fee included).

On October 1, 2012, Hughes launched their new High Speed Satellite Internet Service, the HughesNet Gen4 system. The Gen4 (4^th generation) service is offered on the world’s most powerful satellite, the EchoStar 1, also called the HughesNet Gen4, Jupiter 1 or  SpaceWay 4 satellite.

Hughes offers three different plans starting at $49.99 a month, www.yourlocalinstaller.com.  With HughesNet, the more you spend, that higher the speeds and the greater the monthly usage limits. Unlike Exede, HughesNet only counts the downloaded data towards your monthly usage. With the ViaSat exede service, you’re uploads and downloads count towards your monthly limits.

HughesNet offers a purchase or lease plan.

With the lease plan, like with Exede, you pay a $9.99 a month equipment lease fee.

The purchase plan, which unlike all lease plans (Exede & HughesNet), does not require a credit check. The equipment cost is $199.99 and the Installation charge is $199.99. At the present time HughesNet is offering a $199.99 mail in rebate on the installation. Your local installer.com may also have additional discounts available.

The basic plan with HughesNet, the POWER PLAN,  is $49.99 a month and offers download speeds of up to 10 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 1 Mbps. The monthly data limit is 20 GB (remember only your downloads are counted, uploads are unlimited). This limit is broken down into 10 GB Anytime Data and 10 GB Bonus Bytes. Anytime Data is available as the name implies, anytime, and the Bonus Bytes are available between the hours of 2 AM and 8 AM.

The other two plans are the POWER PRO, $79.99 a month with up to 10 Mbps downloads and up to 2 Mbps uploads with a monthly data limit of 30 GB (15 Anytime and 15 Bonus Bytes) and the POWER MAX, $99.99 a month with up to 15 Mbps downloads and up to 2 Mbps uploads with a monthly data limit of 40 GB (20 Anytime and 20 Bonus Bytes). If you purchase the equipment there is no equipment lease fee. If you lease the equipment, there is a $9.99 a month equipment lease fee.

So, in summary, if you only ask what satellite provider offers the fastest download speeds, the answer is HughesNet Gen4, 15 Mbps. Many other factors should be considered when selecting a satellite provider, like monthly data usage, service and reliability. Continue to follow my blog as we will address these issues in other articles.

If you are ready to order your High speed satellite system, or if you need further information, give us a call at your local installer .com and we will be happy to work with you to find the right solution tom your particular needs.

John Pearce