Hughes Communications operates its satellite Internet operations through its subsidiary HughesNet.  In 2011, Hughes was acquired by Echostar.  Headquartered in Germantown, Maryland, Hughes employs approximately 1,500 people and generates over $ 1 billion in annual revenue.  Hughes also has manufacturing facilities in Gaithersburg, Maryland.  The satellite operations of Hughes started in the early 1970’s.

In 2012, Hughes launched their Echostar XVII satellite, a high capacity satellite that eventually was marketed as their Gen4 product.  This additional capacity enabled Hughes to offer download speeds of up to 15 Mbps and bandwidth allowances of up to 40 GB.  As with all satellite internet services, pricing is dependent on bandwidth capacity as shown in our plan comparisons below.

One unique feature of HughesNet is the ability to lease or purchase the equipment that is installed at your home.  Other satellite Internet providers require you to lease the equipment at a nominal charge of normally $10/mo.  The cost/ benefit of purchasing the equipment as oppose to leasing it depends on how long you expect to have the equipment.  The longer you keep the equipment, the more advantageous the purchase option becomes.  The purchase cost is normally about $300.

HughesNet Satellite Internet Plan Comparisons

Plans	POWER	POWER PRO	POWER MAX
Bandwidth Allowance/ mo.	10 GB	15 GB	20 GB
Late Night Bandwidth/mo.	10 GB	15 GB	20 GB
Download Speed	10 GB	10 GB	15 GB
Max Upload	1 Mbps	2 Mbps	2 Mbps
Email Addresses	10	10	10
Price /mo.	$59.99	$79.99	$99.99
Equipment Lease /mo.	$9.99	$9.99	$9.99
Activation Fee	$99.99	$99.99	$99.99
Special Offers	$10 off monthly, activation fee waived when bundled with DISH TV Package $99 savings on the Lease Equipment Option for new customers Free standard installation for new customers Option to Purchase equipment instead of Lease
Contract Period	24 months	24 months	24 months