HughesNet versus WildBlue

The difference between the top two satellite internet providers

When choosing which satellite internet service to subscribe to consumers have few options. The choice is either between WildBlue or HughesNet and that choice is not easy to make. Retailers of both services attempt to entice customers with rebates, freebies, and other promotional gimmicks. Don't always believe what you hear or see.

First let's compare monthly pricing options. WildBlue offers an entry level service they have dubbed the Value Pak at $49.95 a month, this package offers speeds of 512kbps. HughesNet's comparable package is the Home plan offering users 700kbps for $59.99 per month. To the average consumer this may not look like much of a speed increase for the $10.00 difference but those extra 200kbps is more than a 40% increase in speed across the board. Next we will compare the middle echelon packages. HughesNet offers a package called the Pro plan where as WildBlue offers a package called the Select Pak. Both are very similar in speeds running up to 1000kbps pricing is basically the same at $69.95 a month. And the final package for home users is Hughes's ProPlus and WildBlue's Pro Pak. The name just like their speed abilities is very similar speeds of up to 1500kbps. Both packages again retail for the same price approximately $79.95 per month.

Installation and equipment costs are where the two satellite internet titans begin differ. WildBlue is currently running promotions offering $100.00 off there standard installation cost of $179.95 bringing the price down to $79.95. And their equipment price has a current rebate of $50.00 dollars bringing equipment down to $249.00 from $299.99. Total equipment and installation costs from WildBlue are $328.95. HughesNet's rebate is far easier to understand. Installation and equipment costs are bundled and final cost to the consumer is $299.99 after a $100.00 mail in rebate from HughesNet, an overall savings of $28.96 over WildBlue.

How about service? Pricing aside who offers the best service? Well that's easy, WildBlue's average set up time can be up to one month depending on whether or not your local contractor has the equipment in stock. Most WildBlue installers do not keep the equipment in stock and must order the equipment which can take up to 3 weeks to be delivered. HughesNet installers consistently have the equipment in stock and install most customers within 3-6 business days. Another disadvantage of WildBlue is the fact they run on the old Ka-band which has severe signal degradation during periods of rain or inclement weather. HughesNet operates on the Ku-Band which offers superior signal quality in all weather. Along with superior signal quality HughesNet is reinvesting in its service by sending a new satellite into orbit named Spaceway 3. Spaceway will offer all HughesNet customers increased speed of up to 16mbps. After weighing all the facts HughesNet is obviously the better choice over WildBlue.

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