Comments on: HughesNet satellite broadband customers cannot use OpenDNS at this time http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/ Making the Internet safer and faster Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:56:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: FRUSTRATED http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-236999 FRUSTRATED Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:52:52 +0000 http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-236999 Like many of the folks who have posted on this site, I, too, am extremely frustrated with HughesNet and their service. I've been a customer for about 4 years. Started out with regular home residence service, upgraded to Pro account and finally went to a Business Plan due to having multiple computers and my husband needed the "better" service for work. Normally only have 2-3 computers running at once, which is not the problem. I, too, have had problems with connecting to websites, etc. Having been on the internet since 1992 with almost every available service out there, this is nothing new. With millions of people using the internet 24/7, this is to be expected until the industry continues to explore new and better ways for internet service. I remember the old days when AOL/dialup was the only internet service available and we were thrilled with it. Times sure do change. My biggest problem with HughesNet right now is that I upgraded from the Pro account to the Business Plan, on their recommendation and we were able to utilize the VOIP and such my husband needed for work. After paying the $1K+ in equipment and installation (for the second time since upgrading, this is where they make their money, can't utilize old equipment or take it back as exchange), I started paying the $190/month bill, which didn't seem right. I finally got all the paperwork together and called them. Turns out I was paying for 2 accounts the whole time! Someone at HughesNet dropped the ball and one "division" didn't talk to the other. The bottom line after multiple phone calls? You guessed it...after going up to Corporate I'd be able to get back 3 months of overcharges only ($209) leaving them with a profit of almost $600! The total cost of what was overbilled (not to include the interest on the credit card) was $770, which they refuse to reimburse. They stated this was all MY fault, as the consumer, for not calling earlier - well, SUE ME for being stupid. I thought initially it was additional charges for equipment/installation and real life got in the way of my getting to it sooner (marriage, new job, etc.) I don't think going to the BBB will solve anything, just put it with the other thousands of complaints against HughesNet. Not sure my Attorney General could do much about it either. I'm considering hiring a lawyer to get back my money plus legal fees, but little ol' me against a large corporation? You do the math! I doubt there is a class action lawsuit against these folks. They know they've got you over a barrel, in rural areas you have three choices...nothing, dialup or satellite. After reading all these complaints, I think most folks who could would go to DSL or Cable. My husband has cable at our other home, with multiple computers hooked up to it (for more than one person living there) and they don't have any problems with uploading or downloading, playing games, research on internet, VOIP, work-related functions and NO download thresholds! Download threshold for us currently with HughesNet is 500MB/24 hour period. Peachy. Updating programs and checking email will take care of that in one day! Maybe someday there will as good a service out there, with high speed internet capability, no thresholds and good customer service. One can keep dreaming! Until then, with the millions and millions of users globally, wireless internet capabilities and more demand, we may have to "buck up, shut up or suck up" the poor service and high demand on the higher internet service. I'd care not to settle for that. You'd think that the cable and DSL companies would go to the expense of installing in rural areas, they'd put HughesNet out of business (or pretty darn close to it!) Thanks for listening...just extremely frustated in Tennessee! Like many of the folks who have posted on this site, I, too, am extremely frustrated with HughesNet and their service. I’ve been a customer for about 4 years. Started out with regular home residence service, upgraded to Pro account and finally went to a Business Plan due to having multiple computers and my husband needed the “better” service for work. Normally only have 2-3 computers running at once, which is not the problem.

I, too, have had problems with connecting to websites, etc. Having been on the internet since 1992 with almost every available service out there, this is nothing new. With millions of people using the internet 24/7, this is to be expected until the industry continues to explore new and better ways for internet service. I remember the old days when AOL/dialup was the only internet service available and we were thrilled with it. Times sure do change.

My biggest problem with HughesNet right now is that I upgraded from the Pro account to the Business Plan, on their recommendation and we were able to utilize the VOIP and such my husband needed for work. After paying the $1K+ in equipment and installation (for the second time since upgrading, this is where they make their money, can’t utilize old equipment or take it back as exchange), I started paying the $190/month bill, which didn’t seem right.

I finally got all the paperwork together and called them. Turns out I was paying for 2 accounts the whole time! Someone at HughesNet dropped the ball and one “division” didn’t talk to the other. The bottom line after multiple phone calls? You guessed it…after going up to Corporate I’d be able to get back 3 months of overcharges only ($209) leaving them with a profit of almost $600! The total cost of what was overbilled (not to include the interest on the credit card) was $770, which they refuse to reimburse.

They stated this was all MY fault, as the consumer, for not calling earlier - well, SUE ME for being stupid. I thought initially it was additional charges for equipment/installation and real life got in the way of my getting to it sooner (marriage, new job, etc.)

I don’t think going to the BBB will solve anything, just put it with the other thousands of complaints against HughesNet. Not sure my Attorney General could do much about it either. I’m considering hiring a lawyer to get back my money plus legal fees, but little ol’ me against a large corporation? You do the math!

I doubt there is a class action lawsuit against these folks. They know they’ve got you over a barrel, in rural areas you have three choices…nothing, dialup or satellite. After reading all these complaints, I think most folks who could would go to DSL or Cable. My husband has cable at our other home, with multiple computers hooked up to it (for more than one person living there) and they don’t have any problems with uploading or downloading, playing games, research on internet, VOIP, work-related functions and NO download thresholds!

Download threshold for us currently with HughesNet is 500MB/24 hour period. Peachy. Updating programs and checking email will take care of that in one day! Maybe someday there will as good a service out there, with high speed internet capability, no thresholds and good customer service. One can keep dreaming! Until then, with the millions and millions of users globally, wireless internet capabilities and more demand, we may have to “buck up, shut up or suck up” the poor service and high demand on the higher internet service. I’d care not to settle for that. You’d think that the cable and DSL companies would go to the expense of installing in rural areas, they’d put HughesNet out of business (or pretty darn close to it!)

Thanks for listening…just extremely frustated in Tennessee!

]]> By: flyingrose http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-226675 flyingrose Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:08:35 +0000 http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-226675 Check out the Website link to the reviews of HughesNet satellite at dslreports.com to get a better idea of the issues with Hughes satellite service. If you can get anything else, do it (although WildBlue may be as bad or worse). Although they're not easy to find there may be a small independent wireless company in your rural area. They frequently rent antennae space on water towers. You'll have to ask around or call the water company. Service will depend on the owner. I've had wireless in two locations provided by brilliant owners who provided excellent service. Hughes and Wild Blue are getting so bad that one wireless company in north-east Texas has a two week backlog of installs to do even though they don't match the (supposedly) zero down price Hughes offers. Check out the Website link to the reviews of HughesNet satellite at dslreports.com to get a better idea of the issues with Hughes satellite service. If you can get anything else, do it (although WildBlue may be as bad or worse).

Although they’re not easy to find there may be a small independent wireless company in your rural area. They frequently rent antennae space on water towers. You’ll have to ask around or call the water company. Service will depend on the owner. I’ve had wireless in two locations provided by brilliant owners who provided excellent service.

Hughes and Wild Blue are getting so bad that one wireless company in north-east Texas has a two week backlog of installs to do even though they don’t match the (supposedly) zero down price Hughes offers.

]]> By: Sean http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-220852 Sean Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:30:27 +0000 http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-220852 I have been using HugheNet now for over a year. To say the least it is not the best service out there. However, I have learned a few things since I started with them. 1. For downloading large files, programs, games, ISO's etc., try using a download program like Free Download Manager, or a BitTorrent program that allows you to set up a schedule. That way you can keep yourself from getting FAPed although the download takes longer. 2. For those using Firefox I found this utility to monitor my FAP amount. http://sourceforge.net/project/platformdownload.php?group_id=191329 I do not know if it works with IE and I don't really care because I only use IE if I have to. There are other FAP monitors out there but this one is FREE! 3. If you need to update your websites via FTP, I found out that the ISP where I have my website had to unblock HughesNet from their list of "black" listed sites. If you are using a site like Tripod you may have to contact them to get HughesNet put on their "white" list for you. I hope some of these ideas will help. I know they did for me and I download a lot of large files. Sorry I don't know of a fix for online gamers but give it time and someone will think of something. One last note - I have a laptop and I am a student at Ferris State University here in Michigan. So, I can also get super fast speeds at school. If you have a laptop you can also connect to many WIFI locations such as Burger King, McDonald's, Panera Bread, etc. Good Luck I have been using HugheNet now for over a year. To say the least it is not the best service out there.

However, I have learned a few things since I started with them.

1. For downloading large files, programs, games, ISO’s etc., try using a download program like Free Download Manager, or a BitTorrent program that allows you to set up a schedule. That way you can keep yourself from getting FAPed although the download takes longer.

2. For those using Firefox I found this utility to monitor my FAP amount. http://sourceforge.net/project/platformdownload.php?group_id=191329
I do not know if it works with IE and I don’t really care because I only use IE if I have to. There are other FAP monitors out there but this one is FREE!

3. If you need to update your websites via FTP, I found out that the ISP where I have my website had to unblock HughesNet from their list of “black” listed sites. If you are using a site like Tripod you may have to contact them to get HughesNet put on their “white” list for you.

I hope some of these ideas will help. I know they did for me and I download a lot of large files.

Sorry I don’t know of a fix for online gamers but give it time and someone will think of something.

One last note - I have a laptop and I am a student at Ferris State University here in Michigan. So, I can also get super fast speeds at school. If you have a laptop you can also connect to many WIFI locations such as Burger King, McDonald’s, Panera Bread, etc.

Good Luck

]]> By: Janet http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-209484 Janet Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:37:54 +0000 http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-209484 I had HughesNet for two years before my problem began on June 17th. I have contacted my attorney general in Alabama and. I would definitely join a class action suit again them. I had HughesNet for two years before my problem began on June 17th. I have contacted my attorney general in Alabama and. I would definitely join a class action suit again them.

]]> By: TC http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-207884 TC Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:51:32 +0000 http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-207884 I had the service in Virginia before I moved because of no alternative like most of you that posted. They suck in everyway as you know, but they were better than the dial up. I always signed in to Hughes and used AOL free account for my email and downloade in through them unless I needed to keep the document. I'm in a remote area in Ohio now and only have wireless here. I have ATT and they also suck in customer service and cost too much, but I do get 5 bars here. I do not miss Hughes at all. TC I had the service in Virginia before I moved because of no alternative like most of you that posted. They suck in everyway as you know, but they were better than the dial up. I always signed in to Hughes and used AOL free account for my email and downloade in through them unless I needed to keep the document. I’m in a remote area in Ohio now and only have wireless here. I have ATT and they also suck in customer service and cost too much, but I do get 5 bars here. I do not miss Hughes at all. TC

]]> By: Dean http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-206763 Dean Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:04:52 +0000 http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-206763 I hate their Fair access policy, but when i'm not even under it i get 10 kbps download speeds. I finally got fed up with this and talked to a customer service rep and she told me to get a speed test 3 times a day for three days. Morning, afternoon, and night. WHILE bypassinng my network router AND disabling my internet security. Who has the time for this? I bet they're also going to say "sorry, we don't see any problem with your system". Even though I get 46 kbps down and 33 kbps up. I am paying for the professinal service which is 80 dollars a month! And I get this?! Terrible I hate their Fair access policy, but when i’m not even under it i get 10 kbps download speeds. I finally got fed up with this and talked to a customer service rep and she told me to get a speed test 3 times a day for three days. Morning, afternoon, and night. WHILE bypassinng my network router AND disabling my internet security. Who has the time for this? I bet they’re also going to say “sorry, we don’t see any problem with your system”. Even though I get 46 kbps down and 33 kbps up. I am paying for the professinal service which is 80 dollars a month! And I get this?! Terrible

]]> By: Daniel Petersen http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-192993 Daniel Petersen Tue, 13 May 2008 00:01:24 +0000 http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-192993 I'm going through the same thing. What they are doing borders on the criminal. There customer service is atrocious. I've only had it for three days and we are already planning to cancel this so-called service and take the huge loss (a little over $500). I've never been as disappointed and displeased with a service in my entire life. I cannot state it any clearer- If you are thinking about Hughes net, Don't! They misrepresent there service. If there is going to be a class action suit I would be overly joyed to sign on. What they are doing is inexcusable and as I stated before boarders on the criminal. What a waste of time and money. Don't make the same mistake we did. I’m going through the same thing. What they are doing borders on the criminal. There customer service is atrocious. I’ve only had it for three days and we are already planning to cancel this so-called service and take the huge loss (a little over $500). I’ve never been as disappointed and displeased with a service in my entire life. I cannot state it any clearer- If you are thinking about Hughes net, Don’t! They misrepresent there service. If there is going to be a class action suit I would be overly joyed to sign on. What they are doing is inexcusable and as I stated before boarders on the criminal. What a waste of time and money. Don’t make the same mistake we did.

]]> By: John Thomas http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-186647 John Thomas Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:02:52 +0000 http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-186647 I wish I had seen this before I wasted my money at HUGHES NET. The installer charged a extra $50 because he had to drill two holes instead of one. Then when I went to use it it did not work. I called to ask why and was told I hit the FSP. FSP?? Yes, I downloaded something and hit the FSP. I didn't know anything about that but soon got an education since I hit it every day. I told the no customer service that I had not downloaded anything and his response was "does it say Yes under FSP exceded?" I answered yes, then he said "Then you downloaded something". But I hadn't. I asked What did I download? and was told they couldn't tell because I was under the FSP. This went on for a week before they found that there was a setting problem. Then when I tried to download almost anything I would hit this FSP thing. They told me to use my computer between midnight and 3am! I asked for my money back but they refused. I dropped the service within the 30 days and I would be glad to join any lawsuit available to get my money back. I wish I had seen this before I wasted my money at HUGHES NET. The installer charged a extra $50 because he had to drill two holes instead of one. Then when I went to use it it did not work. I called to ask why and was told I hit the FSP. FSP?? Yes, I downloaded something and hit the FSP. I didn’t know anything about that but soon got an education since I hit it every day. I told the no customer service that I had not downloaded anything and his response was “does it say Yes under FSP exceded?” I answered yes, then he said “Then you downloaded something”. But I hadn’t. I asked What did I download? and was told they couldn’t tell because I was under the FSP. This went on for a week before they found that there was a setting problem. Then when I tried to download almost anything I would hit this FSP thing. They told me to use my computer between midnight and 3am! I asked for my money back but they refused. I dropped the service within the 30 days and I would be glad to join any lawsuit available to get my money back.

]]> By: Alexandra Jones http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-185623 Alexandra Jones Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:02:17 +0000 http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-185623 All I can say is I HATE HUGHES NET. I want to change but I have no other option at the moment until something else becomes available. I don't know what they have done but all of a sudden I was unable to access my email either via the webmail or Windows live mail or connect to my web server to update my site. After days of trying to find out why this was happening (and many chats with the customer services which is USELESS) I had to change proxy settings in my web browser (which I have NEVER had to do before) so now I can access my mail via webmail but no longer through an email client nor can I update my website using ftp. I am absolutly furious with them, its expensive, slow and even installing windows updates is impossible because it goes and exceeds the Fair usage policy of 200mb a day. I have to wake up at 3am just to download things. This is the worst internet provider I have EVER come accross. All I can say is I HATE HUGHES NET. I want to change but I have no other option at the moment until something else becomes available. I don’t know what they have done but all of a sudden I was unable to access my email either via the webmail or Windows live mail or connect to my web server to update my site. After days of trying to find out why this was happening (and many chats with the customer services which is USELESS) I had to change proxy settings in my web browser (which I have NEVER had to do before) so now I can access my mail via webmail but no longer through an email client nor can I update my website using ftp. I am absolutly furious with them, its expensive, slow and even installing windows updates is impossible because it goes and exceeds the Fair usage policy of 200mb a day. I have to wake up at 3am just to download things. This is the worst internet provider I have EVER come accross.

]]> By: Taytay http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-182672 Taytay Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:12:37 +0000 http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/18/hughesnet-satellite-broadband-customers-cannot-use-opendns-at-this-time/#comment-182672 Hughes net has offered my Family and I nothing but a HUGE loss in money and time... we have been subscribed to this B/S for several years now due to living in the sticks... can't download or play any type of online games/entertainment. I would most definitely join this battle. Hughes net has offered my Family and I nothing but a HUGE loss in money and time… we have been subscribed to this B/S for several years now due to living in the sticks… can’t download or play any type of online games/entertainment. I would most definitely join this battle.

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