Reviews Report

• HughesNet plans are sold by priority-data tier (with equipment lease or purchase) and final pricing is address-specific; check the official Plans & Pricing page for current offers.
• Customer satisfaction benchmarks update annually. ISPs generally score near the bottom of industries in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI); use current ACSI and J.D. Power studies rather than 2020 figures when comparing providers.
• The FCC now evaluates broadband against a 100 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload benchmark. HughesNet advertises speeds up to 100 Mbps in some areas, and uses a priority‑data model where speeds are reduced after the allowance; see the Fair Access Policy and the FCC’s Broadband Consumer Labels for typical performance disclosures.

HughesNet is a leading satellite internet provider with service availability across all 50 states. To assess whether HughesNet fits your home, we weighed address‑specific plan availability and speeds, the FCC’s current 100/20 Mbps benchmark, plan‑level typical speeds from FCC Broadband Consumer Labels, data policies, current customer‑satisfaction benchmarks from ACSI, and the breadth of customer support channels.

HughesNet’s strengths are its nationwide footprint for rural and remote locations and its lower‑latency “Fusion” hybrid option where available. However, many alternatives — including T‑Mobile 5G Home Internet, Verizon 5G Home Internet, and Starlink — can offer higher sustained throughput and/or lower latency where they’re available. HughesNet plans use priority data with reduced speeds after the monthly allowance, which may not suit heavy streamers.

Today’s FCC benchmark for advanced broadband is 100 Mbps down/20 Mbps up, and the agency’s FCC Fixed Broadband program continues to track actual vs. advertised performance by ISP. Many providers meet or exceed advertised downloads in peak hours; plan‑level typical speeds and latency are now also disclosed on standardized Broadband Consumer Labels.

HughesNet’s trade‑offs include priority‑data plans with post‑allowance speed reductions and term commitments. Satisfaction benchmarks update annually across sources like J.D. Power and the Better Business Bureau, while best internet providers with fiber or 5G fixed wireless often deliver higher sustained speeds and unlimited data where available. For current policy details, see HughesNet’s Fair Access Policy and check your address for actual plan options.

Note: Satisfaction figures change each year and use different scales. Use current ACSI sector results (ACSI) and the latest J.D. Power studies for context; avoid relying on 2020‑era scores. See current industry studies.

HughesNet vs. The Competition 

Information accurate as of November 2025.

*Current satisfaction comparisons should reference the latest year’s ACSI and J.D. Power studies. Scales differ (ACSI 0–100; J.D. Power often 1,000‑point).

HughesNet vs. AT&T

AT&T offers both DSL and fiber optic internet depending on location. AT&T Fiber plans market no data caps, while non‑fiber AT&T Internet plans commonly include monthly data allowances with options to go unlimited (AT&T data policy). Where AT&T fiber is available, speeds can reach multi‑gig and latency is generally lower than satellite.

Monthly pricing, technology type, and plan tiers are address‑specific; compare your AT&T quote against HughesNet’s priority‑data plans and total 24‑month costs (including equipment and any term commitments) before deciding.

HughesNet vs. Verizon Fios

Verizon Fios is concentrated in the Northeast and Mid‑Atlantic — DC, DE, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA — with fiber‑to‑the‑home plans and no data caps (J.D. Power; American Customer Satisfaction Index; Fios availability).

Outside the Fios footprint, Verizon competes with 5G Home Internet in eligible areas. Fios pricing and speeds are address‑specific, typically with straightforward monthly rates and no data caps.

HughesNet vs. Xfinity

Xfinity covers large portions of the U.S. and typically enforces a 1.2 TB monthly data plan in cap markets, with an unlimited add‑on available; some regions have different policies (J.D. Power; American Customer Satisfaction Index; Xfinity data plan). Pricing and speed tiers vary by market, and multi‑gig tiers are available in some upgraded areas.

Compared with HughesNet’s priority‑data model, Xfinity’s cable plans can offer higher throughput where available, but plan specifics — including promo pricing and whether caps apply — depend on your address.

HughesNet FAQ

Methodology

We evaluated HughesNet using address‑specific availability, plan structure, typical speeds and latency from FCC Broadband Consumer Labels, the FCC’s current 100/20 Mbps benchmark and measured‑performance sources, data policies, current customer‑satisfaction benchmarks, and the breadth of customer support channels. We also compared against alternatives like satellite (LEO), cable, fiber, and fixed wireless to inform value and suitability.

• Customer Satisfaction: Reviews.com references current benchmarks such as ACSI and J.D. Power’s Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Studies; scores update annually and use different scales.
• Top Download Speeds: We consider advertised plan tiers and the “typical” performance disclosed on FCC Broadband Consumer Labels, plus measured performance trends from the FCC’s Measuring Broadband America program.
• Number of Plans: Providers offering a broader range of tiers, technologies, and purchase options (lease vs. buy equipment) scored higher.
• Data Caps and Policies: We award higher scores to providers with unlimited data or generous policies. For capped or priority‑data plans, we assess the size of the allowance, post‑threshold experience, and add‑on options (e.g., data tokens).
• Customer Support Channels: We assess the availability of phone, live chat, messaging, self‑service, and social care, and the clarity of hours/SLAs. Current best practices emphasize easy self‑service, seamless escalation, and clear SLAs (Zendesk CX Trends; Salesforce State of Service).

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