Hughesnet Internet for Seniors: Reviews and Prices
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March 16, 2025
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For those who live in rural and remote parts of the United States, HughesNet offers reliable internet coverage that’s often hard to find. With advanced satellite technology, Hughesnet provides home internet plans with unlimited data.
Plans range from 60 Mbps to 100 Mbps, making Hughesnet a good choice for infrequent internet users who don’t mind occasionally reduced internet speeds. In this review, I’ll discuss why Hughesnet might benefit older adults who live in remote areas and want to access the internet to stay connected with loved ones.
Pro Tip: Looking to change your internet provider? Be sure to check out our guides to the best internet for seniors and senior discounts on internet.
Hughesnet Pros and Cons
Hughesnet Pros
- Unlimited data limits: If you go over your monthly data limit, Hughesnet won’t charge for excess usage or halt access to the internet; rather, you’ll still remain connected to the internet but at reduced speeds.
- Service in remote areas: The most recent data from the U.S. Census shows that 90 percent of U.S. households had broadband internet subscriptions in 2021. However, for people who live in remote or rural areas, this may not be an option, and satellite internet provides a handy solution.
- Professional installation: Don’t worry — you won’t have to install the satellite dish yourself. A Hughesnet technician will do it for you.
Hughesnet Cons
- Long contracts: All Hughesnet service plans require a 24-month commitment. If you’re not happy with your internet service, you can contact customer service at any time, but you may need to pay an early termination fee of up to $400.
- Fees: Check the fine print before you sign up with Hughesnet, as they might charge additional fees for equipment leasing, purchasing, installation, and early termination, which can add up.
- Slower speeds: The maximum speed you can get with Hughesnet is 100 Mbps, as satellite internet generally only offers speeds up to 220 Mbps, according to the Satellite Industry Association. Other companies that use fiber internet, like Frontier, have speeds up to 70 times faster, but fiber may not be an option where you live.
Want Faster Speeds?
While HughesNet satellite internet is ideal for rural areas, those with access to broadband providers will appreciate their lower prices and faster internet speeds. our three top-rated providers offer faster download speeds at affordable prices, no long-term contracts required.
Hughesnet Internet Plans and Pricing
| Hughesnet Plan | Select (satellite only) | Elite (satellite only) | Fusion (satellite and wireless) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $49.99 | $64.99 | $94.99 |
| Download Speeds | 60 Mbps | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| High-Speed Limits | 100 GB | 200 GB | 200 GB |
| Ideal for | Web browsing, online shopping, social media, streaming in HD, streaming music and podcasts | Web browsing, online shopping, social media, streaming in HD, streaming music and podcasts, online gaming (role-playing and strategy games), video chatting | Web browsing, online shopping, social media, streaming in HD, streaming music and podcasts, online gaming (role-playing, strategy, multi-player, and real-time games), video chatting |
What Are Hughesnet High-Speed Limits?
Currently, Hughesnet doesn’t place any hard data limits, so you can stream and use the internet without incurring additional fees. For example, if you surpass the data on your plan, the provider won’t halt access or charge you extra fees. With that said, if you exceed the allotted data of your plan — 100 GB on the Select plan or 200 GB on the Elite and Fusion plans — your speeds will slow down.
Pro Tip: Looking for alternative high-speed internet plans that won’t break the bank? Check out my guide to cheap internet for seniors.
Which Hughesnet Plan Is Best for Seniors?
Hughesnet currently offers three plans. They are all the same except for the maximum download speeds and the amount of high-speed data you get each month. Of all the plans, I think the first-tier 100 GB plan is great for seniors who live in rural or remote areas and want access to basic internet features.
This plan lets you perform light internet tasks such as checking bank statements, going on social media, reading news stories, emailing your loved ones, or performing other tasks like streaming HD videos, music, and podcasts. As of March 2025, the 100 GB plan starts at $49.99 per month with a 24-month term commitment, and you can either lease or buy the equipment.
Going over the 100 GB limit won’t incur additional fees, but you may experience reduced speeds. You can always upgrade to another plan, such as the 200 GB plan, if you keep running out of data. If you’re living with family and want to share high-speed internet with your grandkids, this plan will enable you to surf the web or play kid-approved games online.
Pro Tip: Depending on your household income and your participation in government assistance programs, you could pay $30 a month for 100 Mbps broadband internet from Cox. To learn more, read my guide to Cox internet for seniors.
Hughesnet Purchase and Installation
You can purchase Hughesnet satellite internet plans over the phone by calling 844-962-2493, by ordering online on the company’s website, or by going through a local dealer, which you can also find on the company’s site or by calling 844-774-6490.
The installation process was a breeze. It took about five days (from time of purchase) for Hughesnet to install my equipment, and they gladly answered all my questions. Hughesnet sent a professional technician to my home to help install the Hughesnet Wi-Fi modem and satellite dish, which connected to my smartphone and desktop computer right away. Overall, I was happy with the installation process, as I barely had to lift a finger aside from making sure I was home when the man showed up.
Hughesnet Internet Equipment
As mentioned, Hughesnet offers a satellite dish and a Wi-Fi modem, which you can either lease for $14.99 a month with a one-time $99 setup fee. Or, you can purchase the equipment for $299.99 for the satellite-only plans or $499.99 for the satellite and wireless plan. The installation itself will cost $199.99 regardless of the plan.
Pro Tip: Be wary of extra fees. Hughesnet charges an early termination fee of up to $400 and an unreturned equipment fee of up to $500, if you lease your equipment.
Hughesnet vs. Starlink
While Hughesnet and Starlink are both popular providers of satellite internet services, they differ in terms of speed, availability, and pricing. See below for details.
| Hughesnet | Starlink | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $49.99 | $80 |
| Price Increases | After first 12 months | No |
| Speeds | 60 Mbps to 100 Mbps | 30 Mbps to 220 Mbps |
| Data Caps | 100-200 GB | No |
| Long-Term Contracts | 24 months | No |
| Installation Fees | $99 to $199.99 | None |
While Starlink may be faster than Hughesnet, it’s probably not worth the extra $30 a month, especially if you don’t use your computer for gaming or video chatting. But if you need faster speeds than 100 Mbps, Starlink goes up to 220 Mbps and is available in over 99 percent of the U.S., according to the Starlink website.
Bottom Line
If you’re a light internet user, Hughesnet offers affordable plans at reasonable prices. Although each plan requires a long-term commitment, it’s still well worth the price of unlimited internet with no overage charges. Plus, the benefit of a 24-month contract is that you’ll have the same prices for the first 12 months, while month-to-month plans can increase in price at any time.
Although Hughesnet does not offer the same speeds as broadband providers like Cox or Xfinity, the company offers solid internet service at reasonable prices, and they may be the only option in your area.
To learn more about our favorite internet providers and how to save money on service, check out our guides:
Hughesnet Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Hughesnet fast enough for Netflix?
Yes. With download speeds of 60 Mbps, you can easily watch Netflix and other streaming platforms in high-definition on any of Hughesnet’s plans.
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Is Hughesnet internet any good?
Hughesnet internet is good for people who live in remote or rural areas that do not have broadband or fiber availability. They can provide internet speeds up to 100 Mbps. However, broadband and fiber providers offer much faster speeds, so we’d recommend using Hughesnet only if broadband and fiber aren’t options where you live.
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How much does Hughesnet internet cost?
Hughesnet internet costs $49.99 to $94.99 a month.
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Does Hughesnet work in bad weather?
Yes, weather conditions might affect your Hughesnet internet connection. You may experience temporary loss of connection or connectivity issues if there’s a heavy storm or persistent weather problems in your area. The internet should be restored once it has passed.
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Can you work from home with Hughesnet?
Although Hughesnet only offers plans with download speeds up to 100 Mbps, this is enough speed to work from home and stream some content as well.