Satellite Internet
In their fifth generation service announcement, satellite internet provider, HughesNet said that they have quadrupled the data caps with new service plans. This will bring more internet headroom to their customers especially the rural ones.
Making use of the EchoStar XIX satellite HughesNet has doubled their range. This will allow them to offer cheap internet and better service plans, said HughesNet vice president Mike Cook. It is expected that the maximum download speed reach to 25 Mbps, allowing HughesNet to be the fastest internet provider.
It is also reported that the data caps will become soft caps and the throttling speed will be around 3 Mbps, which is a decent speed and it will be enough to stream Netflix in standard definition. “Once you’ve used your allowance you’ll be able to carry on doing everything including streaming, at lower data rates,” Cook said.
The main competitor of HughesNet is another satellite service, Exede. They offer 25 Mbps satellite internet service, but the speed is achievable only in less congested areas. Exede also offer expensive home 4G LTE solutions, like the one from Verizon that charges ninety dollars for 25 GB of data.
HughesNet new plans cost 49.99 dollars for 10 GB of internet data (decreased from 59.99 dollars), 69.99 dollars for 20 GB, 99.99 dollars for 30 GB (Exede charges 149.99 dollars for 30 GB), and 129.99 dollars for 50 GB of data. This means that the subscribers will get a temporary tier boost for the same price.
HughesNet Satellite Internet
“We have more data for the same price points, with no hard data caps,” Cook said. The prices may seem to be very high for anyone with any other internet option, but in reality, satellite internet services are expensive to provide. In addition, satellite internet is the last resort of people living in remote areas where no other internet option is available.
“Our primary constituency, it’s going to be a long time, if ever, before we see much 5G buildout into those markets,” Cook said. “And in another four or five years’ time, we’ll have the next generation of satellite technology.” The new satellite EchoStar XIX will allow HughesNet to offer their 25 Mbps service in all areas, unlike their competitor Exede who can only offer their satellite internet service in less crowded areas, Cook added.
