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HughesNet vs. Wild Blue
Find out why HughesNet is the choice for satellite internet access
There are a variety of service providers that provide data services and Satellite Internet to large businesses and government agencies. For the small to medium sized business or residential customer, the choices narrow down to a few companies. The two most prominent are HughesNet and Wild Blue.
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General Overview of Satellite Providers
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HughesNet
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Wild Blue
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Total satellite installations in United Sates
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400,000
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50,000
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Total satellite installations worldwide
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1,000,000
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50,000
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Number of operational satellites
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10
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1
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Years providing Satellite Internet service
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10 years
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1 year
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Years in business operation
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30 years
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6 years
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Manufactures satellite system equipment
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Yes
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No
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Manufactures communications satellites
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Yes
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No
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Services US government and US military
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Yes
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No
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Services large-business, enterprise (Fortune 1000) customers
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Yes
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No
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Services small to medium business customers
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Yes
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Yes
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Services home-office and residential customers
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Yes
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Yes
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Number of network operations centers (NOC)
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3
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1
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Owner and manager of network operations center (NOC)
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Yes
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No
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Proprietary network security and encryption infrastructure
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Yes
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No
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Uses Internet Protocol Over Satellite standard (IPos)
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Yes
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No
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System requires customer to install software for normal operation
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No
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Yes
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Limitation on number of computers connected to system
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No
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Yes
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Minimum service commitment
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24 month
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12 month
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System warranty (Parts)
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24 months parts and labor
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12 months parts 90 days labor
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Repair warranty service calls (Labor)
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Free
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$75/hr after 90 days of service
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Fair Access Policy (FAP) Maximum Recover Time
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8 hour refresh²
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30 day refreshı
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Satisfaction Guarantee, Return Policy
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30 Day
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30 Day
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30 Day return Fee
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$0
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$79.00
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30 Day return Refund on hardware
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Yes
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Yes
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HughesNET Home vs. Value Plan Comparison
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HughesNet
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Wild Blue
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Upfront Cost (after rebate)
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$299*
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$299.00*
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Monthly Service
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$59.99
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$49.99
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Download Speeds
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1,000kbps
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512kbps
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Upload Speeds
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128kbps
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128kbps
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Daily Max Download Threshold, Based on 30day month ³
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200mb
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250mb
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Upload Threshold Daily Max Based on 30day month
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No Limit
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76mb
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Threshold Reset
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4-8hrs
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Up to 30days
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Number of emails included
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5
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5
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Mailbox size
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2,000mb
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25mb
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Included Labor Warranty
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15 Months
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90 Days
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Included Parts Warranty
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15 Months
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12 Months
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Warranty Repair Labor cost with in 90 days
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Free
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Free
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Warranty Repair Labor cost with in 15 months
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Free
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$75 Per Hr.
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Fair Access Policy (FAP)
- The WildBlue Fair Access Policy (FAP) is based on a rolling 30 day limit on data usage per customer called a usage threshold. If you exceed the FAP threshold, your bandwidth (speed) will be reduced for the remainder of the 30 day period when your system quota refreshes and you are again within your limits. During this period, your bandwidth will be reduced to 28Kbps until your system refreshes.
- The HughesNet Fair Access Policy (FAP) is based on cumulative download threshold for a set volume of data and is not based on a 30 day period. While you are using up your allotted bandwidth, your system is also refreshing. If you exceed the FAP threshold, your bandwidth (speed) will be reduced for a period of time until your system quota refreshes and you are again within your limits. During this period, your bandwidth will be reduced to 56-400Kbps until your system refreshes. This typically takes from 1-4 hours depending on your usage and always refreshes within 24 hours
- Daily Max download Thresholds are based on a 30day month. With the end user having 2-3 download sessions per day.
- HughesNET & WildBlue prices are shown after instant savings and mail-in rebates.
WildBlue Fair Access Policy (FAP) Monthly Usage Thresholds
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Value Pak
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Select Pak
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Pro Pak
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Download Threshold (MB)
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(200 MB/day avg.)
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(300 MB/day avg.)
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(500 MB/day avg.)
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Recovery Rate
Takes up to 30 DAYS !
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26 Kbps for the remainder of the current 30 day cycle.
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26 Kbps for the remainder of the current 30 day cycle.
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26 Kbps for the remainder of the current 30 day cycle.
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- Download Threshold is the volume of data that can be downloaded during the previous 30 days before the Fair Access Policy may restrict the user’s speeds.
HughesNet - Fair Access Policy (FAP) Parameters
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Home
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Professional
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Pro Plus
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Elite
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Elite Plus
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Download Threshold
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200 MB
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300 MB
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425 MB
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500 MB
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500 MB
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Recovery Rate
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50 Kbps Recovery in 1 to 8 hours
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56 Kbps Recovery in 1 to 8 hours
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112 Kbps Recovery in 1 to 8 hours
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150 Kbps Recovery in 1 to 8 hours
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400 Kbps Recovery in 1 to 8 hours
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· Download Threshold is the volume of data that can be downloaded continuously before the Fair Access Policy may restrict the download speed.
· Recovery Rate is the rate in kilobits per second, at which a service plan recovers the Download Threshold. FAP quotas typically refresh in a relatively short time period (1-8 hours)
- HughesNet service and system was compiled from www.hns.com and www.HughesNet.com as of 3/01/06. WildBlue service and system data was compiled from www.wildblue.com as of 3/01/06
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