Hughesnet Internet Service for Seniors

Hughesnet Satellite Internet Plans and Speeds at a Glance

*Prices and plans may be different where you live. These prices do not include Hughesnet’s $14.99 monthly equipment rental fee.

Hughesnet recently added Jupiter 3 to their satellite network, which the company says is the largest and most powerful commercial communications satellite in the world.

Understanding Hughesnet’s Data Allowances

The only thing that does change with Hughesnet internet packages (besides prices) is your data allowance, or how much data you get per month. Hughesnet data allowances vary from 100 GB to 200 GB. I’ll explain what those numbers mean, practically speaking, in a sec. First, though, you may be wondering what happens when you exceed your Hughesnet data limit. (Don’t worry — you won’t get locked out of your service or put on “Hughesnet’s 10 Most Wanted” list.) Here’s what will happen.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

Internet providers measure speed in megabits per second, or Mbps. Satellite connections usually fall in the range of 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps. To put those numbers in perspective, video chatting requires 8 Mbps, and basic emailing requires 2 Mbps.

Let’s say you subscribe to Hughesnet’s Elite. Once you use up your 200 GB of data, you can still use the internet; you’ll just have much slower (1 Mbps to 3 Mbps) downloads until the next billing cycle. But there’s a light at the end of this data cap, so read on!

The Hughesnet Bonus Zone for Off-Peak Internet Users

Hughesnet has a special period of the day called the Bonus Zone (2 a.m. to 8 a.m. daily, wherever you are) when you can connect at top speed even if you’ve used up your monthly data allowance. More good news — you get up to 50 GB of extra data per month during those off-peak hours! Hughesnet’s Bonus Zone is available with all four plans I’m about to unpack.

Finally, it’s important to note that all of the plans we’re going to look at have two-year contracts. During that time, your monthly fee is locked, but you will be subject to early termination fees if you cancel before your term is up.

The Breakdown: Hughesnet Internet Plans for Seniors

If you’re already familiar with Hughesnet’s top satellite competitor, Viasat, you know that Viasat’s top-tier plans have higher download speeds and up to 100 GB of data per month. But do you really need the extra speed and data? It boils down to what you need the internet for.

Select Plan for Basic Internet Users

Rates for the Hughesnet Select plan are $49.99 per month for your first year of service, then the monthly rate goes up to $74.99 a month, which can be pricey for some older adults. (Note that Hughesnet says on their website that subscribers in certain geographic areas might not be eligible for that offer.)

The plan offers 100 GB of data per month, while the average American household burns through at least 350 GB of data per month. “Household” is a key term here, because if you live with a spouse or partner, keep in mind you’ll be splitting that monthly data allowance between the two of you.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

Internet providers measure connection speed in megabits (and sometimes gigabits). Data is measured in megabytes and gigabytes, and there are 8 megabits in every megabyte. So how fast would you be able to download a 15 MB attachment with a 25 Mbps Hughesnet connection? If you said 4.8 seconds, you’re a math whiz!

In practical terms, 100 GB of monthly data gives you 70 hours of combined standard-definition (SD) video streaming and 200 hours of video chatting. That breaks down to roughly 70 minutes of video streaming and 220 minutes of video chatting per day per person, if you’re a family of two.

If your daily routine includes surfing the web, checking your news feed, and shopping online, you’ll need to carve out some data for those activities as well. While emailing doesn’t eat up much data, downloading summer camp pics of the grandkids does.

I think you get the picture — 100 GB isn’t much. So even if you do consider yourself a light internet user, it might be better to start with one of Hughesnet’s Elite or Fusion packages and then downgrade if you’re swimming in extra data at the end of the month.

Elite Plan for Light-to-Moderate Internet Users

Once you break into Hughesnet’s middle-tier plans, you start to have more freedom with “unlimited” data likely capped at 200 GB — more video chatting (up to 440 minutes per person per day, if you need it) and more wiggle room to surf online, listen to podcasts, and email. Your maximum speeds will be twice as fast with the Elite plan than with the Select plan, and you’ll pay more for that boost in speed — $64.99 a month for the first year (if this discount is available where you live) and $89.99 a month after that.

Speaking of podcasts, you can stretch your Elite Hughesnet package into a souped-up power plan by waking up early and downloading your podcasts during the Bonus Zone. Remember, that’s 50 GB of extra data to use at full speed from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m.

One thing I wouldn’t recommend doing, even with your Elite Hughesnet plan, is burning through all your data streaming movies. That would put you in the Hughesnet “Danger Zone” pretty fast, even if you’re watching in SD. Instead, download those Netflix series in the early morning for viewing later in the day (just like in the old days when we taped TV shows to watch at night). Either that, or consider a satellite TV plan like DISH or DirecTV to complement your satellite internet service.

Fusion Plan for Heavy Internet Users

Hughesnet’s Fusion plan offers a comparable amount of data to that of the Elite plan. But unlike Hughesnet’s two lower-tier plans, the Fusion plan offers subscribers internet service that combines satellite technology with wireless internet for lower latency (the time it takes for data to travel to a server and then back to you) and a more reliable connection. As such, Fusion is the best Hughesnet plan for online gamers, although hardcore gamers typically burn through way more data than satellite internet can provide.

The Fusion plan comes with top-tier fees: $94.99 per month for the first year then $119.99 per month after 12 months if the discount is available in your area. Equipment fees are also more expensive; $19.99 per month compared to $14.99 a month with the Select and Elite plans.

While certainly not cheap, Hughesnet’s Fusion plan is a little cheaper than some Viasat plans, which, in my area, offer unlimited data at lower speeds — 39 Mbps for downloads — for $129.99 a month with a $15 per month equipment fee (if applicable). Note that Viasat plan availability varies by area.

In 2024, Viasat started offering no-contract plans in some ZIP codes, although they sometimes charge a one-time no-contract fee when you sign up. If you loathe long-term contracts, it might be worth checking to see if Viasat offers no-contract plans where you live. For Viasat plans that require contracts, early termination fees of $15 per each month left on your contract may apply.

Does Hughesnet Offer a Senior Internet Discount?

At the moment, Hughesnet isn’t offering any discounts on their monthly internet plans, unlike CenturyLink’s Lifeline Plan, which shaves about 20 percent off qualifying customers’ monthly fee. But Hughesnet does offer free installation from time to time. For reference, standard installation usually costs $99 but can cost considerably more; Viasat notes that installation fees can range from $0 to $500.

Just keep in mind that Hughesnet's promotional discount applies only to their one-off installation fee, not to your equipment lease, which is still $14.99 per month.

Is Hughesnet Available in My Area?

Hughesnet covers the entire continental U.S. (48 states) with partial coverage of Hawaii and Alaska, so the answer is almost definitely yes.

The only caveat here is you need a house that doesn’t move, with a south-facing view. The first is because homes on wheels can’t catch a stable signal. The second is so that Hughesnet's EchoStar XIX satellite, which is 22,000 miles up in the sky hovering over the equator, can find you.

Does Hughesnet Have Any Useful Features for Older Americans?

As I mentioned above, with all of Hughesnet’s satellite packages, data might be an issue. But Hughesnet has been steadily improving their technology in ways that can be especially useful for rural seniors who depend on satellite internet’s typically slower connections and lower data allowances. Here are some perks that could make a difference to you.

Data Usage Meter App to Keep Track of Your Data Use

Although they discontinued their desktop data usage meter, Hughesnet now provides a mobile app that lets you check your data usage in real-time and by the month. You can also log in to myHughesnet.net for a detailed breakdown of your data usage. How could this help? Easy. Say you burn through 2 GB of data on a Saturday evening. You’ll see that spike on the app (and hopefully remember to download your next Windows system update during off-peak hours). If you have a 100 GB plan, you just stretched your data 2 percent further.

Hughesnet Voice

For $9.95 a month, you can bundle Hughesnet’s Advanced Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology for phone service through your satellite internet connection, while not using any of your monthly data. This is a great perk for users in rural areas where cell phone service is spotty or nonexistent, or where providers might be phasing out landline phone service. Plus, it’s cheaper. Check out our guide to the best VoIP phones for older adults to compare your options.

Not sure if a VoIP is right for you? Watch our video below.

You can have the analog telephone adapter installed at the same time as your satellite service, which is pretty simple. International calling plans are also available. Hughesnet Voice offers all the phone extras at no extra cost, including call waiting, call forwarding, and caller ID.

Built-in Premium Wi-Fi for Everyone in the House

After your Hughesnet internet makes its 22,000-mile journey from space to your living room, it still needs to make it from your router to your devices. Hughesnet internet plans come with a satellite modem and a top-of-the-line Wi-Fi router, so everyone in the house can connect fast and securely.

Hughesnet vs. Other Internet Providers

Hughesnet vs. Starlink

In just a few years, SpaceX’s Starlink internet service has made waves among satellite internet providers, with several thousand operational satellites (compared to Hughesnet’s three satellites and Viasat’s four) providing connectivity around the globe. Currently, Starlink speeds are similar to Hughesnet speeds: typically 50 Mbps to 200 Mbps. An Ookla Speedtest analysis showed that Starlink’s download speeds are improving in the U.S.3

Their advertised top speeds are faster than other satellite providers at more than 200 Mbps. But while Starlink has the potential to become much faster than alternatives in the future, current speeds are comparable to other cheaper satellite internet providers. Starlink standard internet service starts at $120 per month and “priority” service can rack up monthly fees of up to $500.

Like Hughesnet, Starlink charges equipment fees. While Hughesnet’s top-tier Fusion plan charges a $450 equipment fee up-front unless you prefer to pay monthly, Starlink’s equipment fees can be up to $600. Like some of Viasat’s plans, there are no long-term contracts with Starlink service.

Hughesnet vs. Viasat

Viasat is one of Hughesnet’s other closest competitors. You might have more Viasat plans to choose from, depending on where you live. Hughesnet has cheaper monthly rates, but Viasat beats Hughesnet in lifetime equipment costs, which are just $250 with some plans. Plus, some Viasat plans don’t require a two-year contract like Hughesnet does. Hughesnet appears to provide faster speeds — 100 Mbps compared to around 39 Mbps with Viasat.

According to the studies we’ve already quoted, Hughesnet’s steady 25 Mbps connections get higher marks for reliability compared to Viasat. We’ve also seen how, with a little foresight and the help of Hughesnet’s Bonus Zone, you can supercharge your 100 GB Hughesnet package into a 150 GB plan. That’s as much data as you get with more expensive plans from both Starlink and Viasat.