Check out our HughesNet installation guide that sheds light on the installation processes of this phenomenal satellite internet company.
HughesNet may not be as popular as Starlink, but the internet service has some of the most incredible perks you’ll come across from ISPs.
Its installation procedure is also unique from Starlink in many respects.
Among the many questions that prospecting subscribers ask include whether it has a self-installation feature synonymous with Starlink.
We’ll elaborate on this and educate you more on everything on HughesNet installation.
Table of Contents
- Does HughesNet charge for Installation?
- What to expect at HughesNet installation?
- How to Install HughesNet Satellite Dish?
- Can I Self-install HughesNet Internet Service？
- Does HughesNet use a Modem or Router?
Does HughesNet charge for Installation?
Yes. Starlink installation is not free as the company requires the subscribers to pay a first-time fee of $99 for those registering for installation.
This fee applies to those applying to install with permanently owned equipment and those on lease terms.
The good thing with HughesNet is that the company often waives this fee, so you may get the installation done free of charge.
In addition, HughesNet charges $450 as an equipment fee, although this is a one-time charge that you part with only once.
The amount is valid for those who want to buy the equipment outright and avoid the monthly expenses from the lease option.
For customers on the lease term, the monthly charge is $19.99 for equipment leasing. This applies to the client on the HughesNet Fusion plan.
However, subscribers who register for the satellite-only plan and want to lease the equipment from the company spend $14.99 monthly.
The table below summarizes the HughesNet charges for the installation and equipment.
| Fee Type | HughesNet Charge |
| Installation fee (for permanent equipment owners and those on lease terms) | $99- The company often relinquishes the price, so the installation is many times free of charge. |
| Equipment Fee (Upfront Purchase) | $459. |
| Equipment Fee (Renting under Satellite Only Plan) | $14.99 per month. |
| Equipment Fee (Renting under HughesNet Fusion plan) | $19.99 per month. |
What to expect at HughesNet installation?
Satellite dish antenna installation.
As we asserted earlier, HughesNet’s installation process differs from Starlink’s. While the latter has a self-installing system, HughesNet sends its agents to the ground to install the systems for you.
So how does everything proceed?
- First, the company confirms that you have chosen an internet plan, then sends their expert professionals to your location for installation.
- Next, the HughesNet installation personnel will scout your home to identify the best spot to set up the dish.
- Also, the experts determine the best way to install the HughesNet cables to ensure they perfectly fit your walls’ aesthetic.
Also, do you need to pre-order the equipment before the team of experts arrives for the installation?
You simply pay the equipment costs, and the HughesNet experts will bring the components when they schedule an installation.
The installation equipment covers the HughesNet dish, coaxial cables, modem, and other necessary parts.
Finally, the professionals are quick on the installation job, taking just a few hours to get everything set up.
Hence, you’re ready to access the internet the same day the company installs the dish and its accessories.
How to Install HughesNet Satellite Dish?
A satellite receiver antenna.
Let’s now explore the installation procedures for HughesNet. We’ll look at the residential and commercial installation in detail.
Residential HughesNet Installation
An installed satellite receiver antenna.
The company will send a professional installer and the necessary parts. They include the following:
- HughesNet indoor modem– This also features a Wi-Fi router meaning that the device fulfills both the roles of a modem and a router.
- HughesNet outdoor antenna system– It receives the signal from the HughesNet satellites in space. Other parts of this system include a radio receiver/transmitter, a reflector, and a tri-mast mount.
- RG6 coaxial cable– It is long, covering a maximum of 125 feet.
- An indoor faceplate.
- Silicone
- Compression Connectors
- A Ground block.
The installation process is as follows:
- HughesNet trains its professionals in locating the best line of sight, as this is the fundamental way to ensure that your antenna can connect to the satellite.
- If they realize there’s no clear sky view at the installation spot, the technicians must use a pole mount. Also note that if the technician recommends a pole mount, you’ll need to pay an extra $25 on the initial equipment fee. Notably, the price also covers the costs of laying the cable to the ground.
- Next, the installation personnel informs you after finding a perfect area for the installation and determining if there’s a need for a pole mount. The undertone is that they primarily need your approval before commencing the installation.
- After approval, the technicians install the radio receiver on the mount. Next, they connect an RG6 coaxial cable to the receiver to the ground block. Also, they’ll link it from this area to where the cable should enter your house.
- Note that, like Starlink’s router, the HughesNet modem stays inside the house. Therefore, the technicians must make a hole in the wall through which the coaxial cable passes to connect the receiver to the modem.
- Making a wall perforation makes a path for pests’ entry. Hence, the technician used a weather seal and faceplate to cover the perforations on the exterior and inside walls, respectively.
- Next, the technicians find the best receiver angle in line with the satellites in space to optimize signal reception. Once convinced they’ve picked a perfect spot, they test the internet.
- Finally, they help the subscribers activate their service readying it for outright use.
Also noteworthy, the technicians must meet several residential installation precautions and conditions.
- HughesNet requires that installers set up the antenna on a secure platform. So they ban the professionals from setting it up on a brick chimney, vinyl siding, or anywhere it’s likely to fall off.
- The company recommends using a non-penetrating (non-pen) mount if the technician is dealing with a flat roof.
- When setting up the receiver (antenna), HugheNet has a maximum height limit of above 25 feet. It is because this is the length of the standard ladder they use for repairs.
- Also, for ground mount installations, the technician should set up the antenna reflector at about 4 feet 5 inches above the ground level. It is to bar children and pets from reaching it to prevent damage.
- The above condition also goes with a ground block to remove the static charges that could build up in the area, causing interactions that could affect the radio transmission.
- Finally, all installations must be waterproof, especially for those exposed to the weather.
Commercial Installation
Let’s now see what entails a standard commercial installation procedure for HughesNet Internet.
- Like residential installation, HughesNet technicians handle all the parts fixing processes. Hence, they’ll primarily send their team to the ground to perform the following tasks:
- The technicians will primarily set up the mount with the antenna. It should ideally be 9 feet off the ground level if they opt for the ground pole mount. The succeeding wiring processes are similar to the residential installation we covered above.
- But noteworthy, this process is unique from the residential system installation as it involves two RG-6 coaxial cables rather than one from the latter. Otherwise, everything else is similar.
Can I Self-install HughesNet Internet Service？
A Starlink self-installing antenna.
Unlike Starlink, it is not possible to self-install HughesNet. It is primarily because their package is not self-installing and requires you to engage a professional’s services to complete the dish setup.
What if you have the necessary tools to do the installation basics, such as mounting the antennae and drilling the wall to fix the cables? Even with these, you will encounter a hurdle in aligning the dish with the satellite.
While this limitation gives Starlink an edge over other satellite internet ISPs like HughesNet, it’s common even with companies like Viasat.
Does HughesNet use a Modem or Router?
A technician with a modem router.
The HugheNet modem comes in one package with the router. Thus, it serves the roles of both components. This device is rectangular shaped and features indicator lights that show when connected to the internet.
Also, it is a top-performing device even though some users have held reservations about its shape dubbing it as ugly.
Conclusion
HughesNet continues to gain popularity in the US primarily because of its customer-centric interactions with its subscribers.
They walk you through setting up the Internet service system, from delivering the equipment to hiring a technician.
All you need to do is pay for the service, choose the most appropriate package, then sit back, and the company will take care of everything.
