Complaint Review: Hughesnet

I signed into contract (two year) with hughesnet and purchased the equipment. For the first year system appeared to operate good. About two months ago systen slowed down, considerably. I went from 650 kbps downloads to 13-80 kbps. My download speeds fluxuate from 650 kbps to 10 kbps throughout the day. They seem to be at their lowest between 1:00pm and 7:00 pm. The low download speed can last for up to eight hours.

I contacted Hughesnet's customer support. After six hours on the telephone with a real nice gentleman in India, I was told he could not help me and my problem would be sent up to a higher level of technician. I was asked and gave, a good time for a senior tech to call me (weekday evening) and was told I would be contacted within three days at that time.

After over a week, I got a call on a Saturday morning from a tech. After approximiately two more hours, the senior tech said he thinks my problem is solved and my computer would be back up to speed within a few hours.

For about two days my download speed were exceptable. Then back to the same problem.

I contacted hughesnet support again. Another two hours on the telephone, talking with a gentleman in India. He finally tells me, he would like to send the problem to another senior tech, but they will not accept it. I need to test my computer three times a day for three more days and report back to them.

So here I sit, right now my speed is all the way up to 80 kbps right now, after six weeks of trying to rectify this.

Warning- don't use hughesnet. & Thank God for the invention of the aircard! I'm leaving hughesnet, if they insist on the two year contract, California has a great small claims system- only $40 to file. If nothing else I'll make them represent themselves in court.

Ike
benicia, California
U.S.A.