Posted by Becca_FL on 8/14/07 9:22am
Msg #205400

Hughes Net - Need opinions, please.

I'm considering switching from Comcast cable & internet to Dish Network & Hughes Net. There is no great savings that I can see, but the HD on Dish is much better than Comcast. I'm leaning toward keeping Comcast for internet service and switching cable to Dish.

I seem to recall seeing negative posts about Hughes Net way back when.

Reply by DogmongerCA on 8/14/07 9:28am
Msg #205403

It is my only option, Hughes

But it is expensive, goes south at the wrong time, and in Florida I am assuming that the weather would play havoc with you. Also if you exceed their download limit, they will shut you down for 24 hours, where you wished you had a dial up connection. If I had other options, I would excercise them. Not a good switch IMHO. :-)

Reply by Charm_AL on 8/14/07 9:30am
Msg #205404

Hi Becca...

I just switched from knology over to bellsouth (bundle pkg) which I guess is now owned my At&T.
I have access to comcast here but I here they go down a lot. I've just plain and simple decided I hate cable companies - period. They promise all kinds of 'savings' and then you get the real (raw) deal in your monthly bill.

Meeechele - my bell, I love I love I love you.......or is it I need you? Whatever we're over a barrel.

Reply by Vince/KS on 8/14/07 9:31am
Msg #205405

Persons with Dish here complain of problems when it is windy and/or raining. The wind may require re-adjusting the dish to acquire the signal. The rain simply seems to make the signal weak. You may want to ask some neighbors in your area that have it.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/14/07 9:41am
Msg #205408

Becca, IMO if cable DSL is an option for you, keep it...

We had DSL through our AT&T telephone service in CT - it was great...stable and quick..very few interruptions - though we had it through our telephone we were told that cable DSL was MUCH more stable and reliable and was also a bit quicker.

We now have HughesNet...no other options for us down here - it's expensive, is sporadic if the clouds roll in...goes OUT in rain...we pay for the highest download rate at $70/mo, then they charge us an additional $5/mo for statement billing as opposed to credit card billing. The equipment cost us $400 and we were locked into a 15-month contract (which expires in September) - we also run two computers on it through a router - if one is downloading something the other is slowed down dramatically.

Comcast has recently established themselves in the Lake City area so we're hoping that eventually they'll offer services out this way...

In a nutshell...we hate HughesNet but it's all we can get - and it IS faster than dial-up by a long shot (which we had to use the first month we lived here).

Good luck!!

Reply by Becca_FL on 8/14/07 10:07am
Msg #205416

Thanks y'all. As much as I hate Comcast, I think I'll stick with them for internet service. We have Dish down on the boat and do tend to lose signal in T-storms, but I'm sooooo tired of paying $90 per month for cable. Dish has a plan comparable to what I have now for just $60 per month.

I really do appreciate all the input. Thanks again.

Reply by BetsyMI on 8/14/07 10:11am
Msg #205418

Be prepared for Comcast to raise your price for internet service if you get rid of them for cable. They told me I had a 'package deal' for both, and if I got rid of one, the other will go way up.

I hate that they always have these great price deals for "four months" or "six months", and then you get blasted after that. I just want the best price and then I want to keep that price forever, but that's not the way Comcast works.

Reply by PCasey/CO on 8/14/07 1:15pm
Msg #205468

I have had HughesNet for several years and as long as it is installed correctly you should be fine. I have never had to have my dish re-adjusted and we get some fairly substantial winds here (course nothing compared to a Florida Huricane). I only loose my signal when there is VERY heavy cloudcover AND rain. In the winter time I have to go out and scrape snow off but you don't have that problem in Florida. It is expensive and your download limit is like 200MB per hour and you can purchase more, all you have to do is make sure you don't download more than that within an hour. I like HughesNet now that it's installed correctly, if the install is bad you'll have nothing but trouble. It's pretty expensive with the equipment purchase and the monthly service.