If you are using satellite internet for connectivity, you may already be feeling a little disappointed because of the speed. It is a huge back-draw, especially if you have recently moved from an urban area to a rural location. HughesNet’s Gen5 technology, however, is making it possible for every American to get reliable internet with steady speeds of up to 25 Mbps. The download speed remains constant over all their data plans.
Inclement climate and other factors count a lot when it comes to the speed of a satellite connection. These factors can slow down your internet or in some instances, they can completely sever the connectivity. If you’re facing such issues with your service then you can contact HughesNet customer service. Find out what’s causing the issue.
Although, one must remember that there can be various troubling factors that can be culprits behind a slow or bad bandwidth. Troubleshooting these properly can help ease you out a lot and you can find some answers to the dilemma even on your own.
How the satellite internet works
It works with the help of a modem and an outside dish antenna. First, the data is sent using radio signals to a gateway, which generally consists of a building that has transmission equipment. From there it is transmitted to the relevant satellite orbiting in outer space. This satellite then sends the signals back to the dish antenna outside your home, and then these signals travel through a network of cables to the modem inside your house. This modem/router is connected to your PC and you start getting internet.
As you can see, this process is a complicated one since it involves various hardware and software. A glitch at any point can cause an interruption in the signal, causing either no internet or a slow one. You can try these few steps to resolve the matter on your own before making the call to customer services.
- First, try to check if any of the data cables or wires that are connecting your HughesNet built-in Wi-Fi modem /router to the dish antenna. They may have become loose or in some cases, they may be damaged beyond repair. If you find any problem with them, just get them replaced. you can try replacing them on your own if you know which cables go where. Or, you can call customer services and get professional help to sort this matter out.
- HughesNet provides its customers with access to System Control Center online. You can simply run a connectivity check for troubleshooting ongoing problems. This test will give results about your connection and it will also check your modem for any concerns.
- The third one is the resetting/rebooting check. You can get a HughesNet modem/router at $449 or get it leased under your name at a monthly cost of $14.99. The device will have a reset button. Press it long until no lights are blinking on it. Wait for around 30 seconds and then turn it on again. In case your modem doesn’t have a reset button, just unplug your device from the power source and then plug it back in.
- The last check is on the satellite dish antenna. The direction to which it was initially pointing may have shifted. It may have toppled down if there was a recent weather event. Or, there may be dust or snow on it that you can try cleaning on your own. However, you should be very careful if the dish is placed at a height.
Try these and you may get successful in resolving the most common issues on your own. We’re also highlighting a few other reasons that may be responsible for a bad internet connection.
Viruses, malware, etc.
These are just terrible as they won’t just stop at slowing your network down. There are now some spyware and adware, which ruin your computer system so bad that you can end up losing all the data forever. So, preferably, conduct timely or scheduled scans to check the health of your HughesNet connection as well as your PC.
Weak router
The Wi-Fi signals can be weak in your house, especially if you live near the coast where most areas are damp and humid. In such situations, it is recommended that the devices should be directly connected to the modem. Some dude has already discussed above about resetting the modem/router. In case that does not work, then there may be an issue with your location. Using HughesNet Wi-Fi Extender may come in handy in such situations. It picks up the bandwidth of the strong signal and spreads it evenly throughout the house.
If the Wi-Fi signals are still weak and the issue persists, consider checking additional broadband deals from HughesNet and see whether you need to upgrade to a higher-priced package that offers better speed, broadband and further perks.
Network sharing
Satellite internet makes use of air as the medium in which signals are traveling. The speed of your connection will already be facing higher latency in comparison with fixed broadband connections. The distances that a signal travels are far and wide. Add to this some bad weather and you have a recipe for slow/troubled connectivity. The more devices that you connect at slow speeds, the worse the problem is going to be. Moreover, your connection may be shared if there is no protection turned on. Make your account secure, allowing access to limited users.
Rain, snow, or ice
Most connections will not suffer during light rain or snowfall. This is contrary to popular belief that if there are light rain and wind then the speeds will be compromised. The reality is such that when there is heavy rain with bigger raindrops, that is when the signals are dispersed. They take more time in reaching their destination and so the speed is slowed down. It all depends upon the density of the raindrops. The same goes for snowstorms or blizzards. There are options like dish antenna heaters and covers. They can also help in keeping your outside equipment safe.
Peak hours/busy time
Any internet connection can come across slow speeds during peak hours. Rural areas have no options for connectivity, except for satellite internet. Some remote locations do offer DSL or cable. However, they are not reliable and so, they are not commonly used. When too many people are online simultaneously, the network is bound to slow down. This happens mostly during prime hours when everyone is back from work. All these users are sharing the same bandwidth. HughesNet Gen5 is targeting all such issues. The upgraded tech is finally bringing about some quality changes for the rural districts of the USA.
