Using this test will allow you to understand your connection better and if it is doing enough for you, as well as if it is performing as promised. HughesNet is one of two top satellite internet providers in the country, and due to the nature of satellite internet testing regularly is essential, given that adjustments might need to be made regularly.
When using this test, we recommend that you try to use an ethernet cable connected to your device if there's a way to use a direct connection. Also, that you don't have anything else running on your network that will use a substantial amount of bandwidth. Additionally, try to perform multiple tests at multiple times, so that you have a greater general impression of your service.
Your primary metric for internet speed and what you are likely primarily trying to measure. Your download speed is, simply put, how quickly you can download, stream files, or access information through your connection. ISPs will usually advertise and label their plans by this metric.
Your upload speed is a measurement of how quickly your connection can send files from your connection to somewhere else. It is a vital metric for people hoping to upload many large files, game online, or video chat often.
Ping rate (or latency) is a measurement of how long it takes your device to send a packet and then receive a response through your network. It is especially important for any situation where you don't want much "lag" in online gaming or video calls. Average users want 100ms or less, and gamers and people looking for a perfect connection want 30ms or less.
Due to the nature of satellite internet and how it can vary easily from location to location, the city you live in doesn't matter for satellite internet as much as other factors. Nonetheless, here are some of the cities or metro areas where HughesNet is prominent or can provide better speeds (generally, they promise up to 25 Mbps).
You can use the following graph to see what HughesNet customers with the best speeds are getting. It showcases the average download speeds of the top 10 percent of speed tests performed by HughesNet customers over the last 12 months. As you can tell, there is quite a bit of variance in the results from month to month.
In a similar graph here, you can check the average speed of HughesNet customers in general over the last 12 months. While not much has changed, there has been a slight pickup over the last year, even if the service only meets the bare minimum for many common apps and functions.
In most cases, you should have at least 80 percent of promised speeds. However, in a recurring theme for this test and satellite internet in general, this could vary greatly depending on your setup, location, and even the weather. Nonetheless, if you consistently are not getting anything close to what you have been promised, you may wish to switch providers.
You can expect WiFi speeds to vary between 30-50 percent of what your provider promised you, depending on some factors such as signal interference and the equipment you are using.
Most homes need at least 5-10Mbps to function normally, and 25 Mbps to function at a reasonable level for things such as HD video streaming. If you are working with satellite internet, though, you will need to consider your monthly data cap and how you use your connection as well as how fast it is.
Satellite internet from HughesNet can be an interesting choice for many, but it also allows people to get internet access where they otherwise would not. Do not settle for less than what you were promised, and check using this test and other information whether you can do better. Whatever your decision, we wish you the best.