HughesNet Fusion Internet Plans

Geostationary satellites pioneered the availability of internet service for rural and remote communities around the globe. Think of all the places where it’s just not possible to dig into ground to bury cables or put above-ground wireless signal towers. Technology evolves and today different types of satellite setups are now in orbit above the Earth. Specifically, newer small satellites are handling data transmission differently than large satellite units and have been successful in reducing signal latency. The newer satellite setups have proved it can be done and now legacy satellite providers are developing ways to combine different technologies to provide customers with similar results. Competition is heating up.

In many ways there is no shortage of great ideas out there. Many inventors, scientists, mathematicians, physicists, rocket scientists, researchers and students each desire to solve internet problems; making signals faster, able to transmit vast amounts of data, and 100% reliable at all times. If it were easy anyone could do it but innovation on this scale more often is accomplished through iterative steps by teams driven by a common goal, real timelines, and great ideas.

The biggest driver of these solutions are today’s streaming platforms in in-person call platforms. Customers want to watch movies and shows at will as well as to attend live events online and thus internet service providers are working to improve fast data capacity, signal strength and reliability. Prior to streaming movies, videos and shows, internet use circa 25 years ago was considered super cool and limited to looking something up (like sports scores), entering “chat rooms” where members could type messages to each other and see a near real-time response (exciting!) or check email. It was all doable with what we today would call a very slow signal running through a phone line, but back then was considered fast. But decades later when customers started signing up for streaming platforms, and full high-definition video began at first to enhance text, and then in many cases completely replace it, fast data has become a big deal.

HughesNet recently announced it would attempt to compete more effectively by combining legacy satellite technology with wireless signals. The HughesNet Fusion plan will be available for residential customers based on your full address. It adds a small amount of new equipment to the traditional satellite setup, specifically, a wireless transceiver that resembles a modem, and a few other smaller items. The good news it that the signal should be faster but there are still certain limitations familiar to satellite internet customers. Once you exceed your fast data amount for the month you can stay connected at slower speeds or purchase more high-speed data.

Existing customers who qualify to order the Fusion plan can choose 50 GB of fast data per cycle for $100 or 100 GB of fast data for $175. You’d need to check regarding the specific details of your plan.

The equipment package for Fusion is meant to be added to existing HughesNet internet setups. You would keep everything you’re now using, and add the contents of the Fusion Equipment package: Multipath Device that looks similar to a modem and will handle wireless signals, a wireless antenna and connector (along with tape for mounting it), power cord and adapter, Ethernet cat 5E cable, and instructions.

You’d connect the wireless antenna to the Multipath device, then connect the Multipath device to the HughesNet Wi-Fi Modem, plug in the Multipath device, and follow steps in the instructions to activate the service.

Customer retention is a big deal. HughesNet may be able to help retain more customers using two technologies already in existence and pairing them to strengthen HughesNet plans. In lieu of launching newer and bigger satellites, a massive undertaking, this measure could resolve some issues. It’s commendable because it demonstrates responsiveness to competitive pressures. Time will tell if it becomes popular.