Finally getting Sat - WildBlue or Hughenet?

[slocoma]

I'm finally breaking down and getting satellite internet service. My wife has been using the internet more and more and I am tired of trying to get work done from home on a connection that gets 20Kbps, if I'm lucky. My wife was interested in a second phone line, because she is tying up the line all day. So I figured for a little more, I could get satellite service.

The phone lines in our area are crap, that's why you can't even get a 28.8Kbps connection. Cable and DSL are not an option.

I'm familiar with DSL, I had it from 1998-2002 before I moved out to the sticks. I work in IT and sit on a 10MB fiber connection all day at work. I know the limitations of satellite.

I'm not looking to download tons of movies and/or music. The connection will mainly be used for work type purposes (email, etc.).

With all that said, which service is better. I'm currently a Dish Network customer.

[grohgreg]

Price plans between the two are competitive. But HughesNet has a significant latency advantage. They also hold a slight edge on throughput speed; more kbps per dollar per month. But Wildblue plans have somewhat higher FAP thresholds. Hughes somewhat makes up for that with their the unlimited usage off-peak window.

See what I mean by comparing
WildBlue | Get WildBlue | Availabilty & Offers | Your Zip Code Results

with
Rural High Speed Internet Service - HughesNet Satellite Internet


. And if you can't get past the ZIP code page at Wildblue, that means the service is temporarily sold out in your area. You won't run into that with HughesNet.

Both can providing periods of disappointing performance (and crappy call center support). But in the long run, I'm pretty sure you'd be more disappointed with WildBlue - than with HughesNet. And FWIW, if you happened to be approached about something along the lines of "Broadband In A Box" - run the other way.

//greg//

[dirkleearm]

I install both, and if it were my money I would also vote HN. I have been very impressed so far with the new Ka system.

[slocoma]

Does it become any cheaper to go with Wild Blue since I'm a Dish customer? the monthly pricing is cheaper on Dish's web site (although I think the activation fee is higher).

[dirkleearm]

The initial cost is different. With HN you own the equipment. With dish you "lease" the equipment. In my opinion you should call a local retailer, not a national web or phone site and get pricing etc.
As for WB there base price per mo is 50.00 which I see ~330kbps down. HN starts at 60.00 per mo and I see consistently ~ 1M down. To get to = speeds on WB, you would need to go to their 70.00 per mo rate.
The bad about HN is their fricking customer support which starts you out in India which sucks. That is one of many reasons I suggest a local retailer (not that their hands are not tied in some ways but if they care they can be a real help), not national.

[dirkleearm]

Price for the dealer I do work for is ~$217.00 for WB and ~ $446.00 for HN.

[dijohn76]

You might also want to check with your cellphone companies. I had Wildblue for 18 months, was definitely better than dialup but still fairly slow (300k down) also Fap, and weather issues. I just went with a USB Modem from Alltel, and am getting 2M down and no problems. The modem was free after rebate and monthly cost is $10 more than Wildblue's. I am in the middle of Montana and am still getting EVDO Rev A, so it might be worth checking into.

[slocoma]

You might also want to check with your cellphone companies. I had Wildblue for 18 months, was definitely better than dialup but still fairly slow (300k down) also Fap, and weather issues. I just went with a USB Modem from Alltel, and am getting 2M down and no problems. The modem was free after rebate and monthly cost is $10 more than Wildblue's. I am in the middle of Montana and am still getting EVDO Rev A, so it might be worth checking into.

I'm in a very rural area (freaking Amish live around me). No cable, no DSL, and no cell service at my house.

[Stargazer]

Another option that most do not know to look into is a wireless internet service provider (wisp). If we knew your location we could look it up to see one is available in your area. It is faster and cheaper than satellite and cell phone broadband.

[slocoma]

Another option that most do not know to look into is a wireless internet service provider (wisp). If we knew your location we could look it up to see one is available in your area. It is faster and cheaper than satellite and cell phone broadband.

I looked in to that to. Not an option, but my zip code is 16407 if you want to check your sources.