Hughesnet has been in the business for more than 50 years. The company pioneered satellite Internet technology and provided high-speed connectivity across America.
On its website, Hughesnet proudly proclaims it was named “Best Satellite Internet Service Provider of 2024” and “One of the Best Rural Internet Service Providers of 2024” by U.S. News and World Report.
Unfortunately, like all digital innovations, Hughesnet has its flaws.
On Consumer Affairs, Hughesnet received a score of 1.3 out of five stars from 11,147 reviews.
88% of respondents gave Hughesnet a 1-star rating.
What were the common issues reported by Hughesnet customers?
- Insufficient Internet speed for gaming and streaming
- Poor customer and technical service
- Defective equipment
- Latency issues during bad weather
If you’re one of the unhappy customers, you might be discouraged from canceling the service because of Hughesnet’s $400 Early Termination Fee (ETF). However, if your work depends on reliable Internet service, your wallet might have to take a hit.
At the end of this guide, we’ll present a list of Internet service providers that have competitive pricing and won’t tie you down with long-term contracts.
In the meantime, learn how to cancel your Hughesnet Internet service.
Hughesnet’s Official Method of Canceling Internet Service
You can only cancel your Hughesnet Internet service by calling Customer Care at 1-866-347-3292. The phone lines are open 24/7.
1. Before calling Customer Care, prepare the following information:
- Full name
- Birth date
- Hughesnet Account Number
- Copy of your Subscriber Agreement
- Copy of your last invoice
- Email address
- Mobile phone number
2. The customer service representative handling your call will verify your account. Provide the necessary information.
3. Get the name of the representative handling your call. Inform them that you want to cancel your Internet service.
4. The representative will ask why you want to cancel the service. They might present special offers such as a discounted renewal price or a shorter contract period.
5. Provide a reason for canceling the service. If you’re uninterested in their offers, decline and reiterate your decision to cancel.
6. The representative will walk you through the cancelation process, including returning the equipment.
7. Ask them to email the requirements for canceling the service and the final invoice.
💡 Note: You can cancel your Internet service anytime. However, you might be charged an Early Termination Fee (ETF).
How to Return Hughesnet Equipment
Hughesnet will send you a return kit that consists of the following:
- Box
- Strip of Tape
- Prepaid UPS Return Label
- UPS Packing Slip
Stuff the box with cushioning material such as bubble wrap, foam rolls, air pillows, or packing peanuts. Place the equipment inside the box and add more cushioning material to keep the items in place.
Securely seal the box with packing tape and stick the UPS return label on top of the package. Bring the box to the nearest UPS location and ask for assistance from an employee.
💡 Note: Hughesnet equipment must be returned within 45 days of the cancelation date or you’ll be charged an unreturned equipment fee of $300.
What to Do if You Don’t Hear From Hughesnet
If you don’t hear from Customer Care in a week, follow up with another phone call. Inform them of the date you returned the equipment. If necessary, send them a copy of UPS documentation.
Alternatively, you can contact Customer Care through the following channels:
Provide them with detailed information about your cancelation request:
- Full name
- Birth date
- Hughesnet account number
- Mobile phone number
- Email address
- Date of call with customer service
- The name of the representative who handled your call
If available, send them a copy of the email confirming their receipt of your cancelation request.
When canceling a service, it’s important to thoroughly document the process. If you followed up via chat, ask the agent to email a copy of the chat log.
In case you continue to get billed for the service, contact your bank or credit card issuer to withhold payment. The bank or card issuer will request documentation that proves you canceled the service.
How Much is Hughesnet’s Early Termination Fee?
All Hughesnet service contracts have a minimum commitment period of 24 months. Canceling your service before the commitment period ends will result in an Early Termination Fee (ETF).
How much is the ETF?
- If you cancel before activation, you’ll be refunded the amount collected at the time of order.
- If you cancel after activation but before the end of the 24 months, you’ll be charged an ETF of $400 for the first 90 days after activation. Thereafter, the fee will be adjusted to $15 per month remaining in the contract.
- If you upgrade from a Hughesnet satellite-only plan to a Hughesnet Fusion plan before the end of the 24 months but 12 months are remaining in your contract, you’ll be charged an ETF of $400 for the first 90 days after activation. Thereafter, the fee will be adjusted to $15 per month remaining in the contract.
- If you upgrade from a Hughesnet satellite-only plan to a Hughesnet Fusion plan under a new 12-month contract but you cancel before the end of the 12 months, you’ll be charged an ETF of $120 for the first 90 days after activation.
Thereafter, the fee will be adjusted to $10 per month remaining in the contract.
💡 Pro Tip: Before canceling, read your Subscriber Agreement to calculate the amount of ETF you’ll be charged.
How Much Internet Speed Do You Need?
In its January 2023 report, “Twelfth Measuring Broadband America Fixed Broadband Report,” the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defined the parameters of good Internet speed as follows:
- 25 Mbps download speed: Two or more connected devices with moderate to heavy Internet use.
- 100 Mbps download speed: Three or more connected devices with moderate to heavy Internet use.
The FCC tested 12 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that utilized the following technology configurations:
- Fiber
- Cable
- DSL
- Satellite
The FCC concluded that 11 out of 12 ISPs delivered the required Internet download speed regardless of technology.
The FCC study proves you don’t have to go with an ISP that uses Satellite Internet technology to get work done.
What Are the Alternatives to Hughesnet?
We’ve saved you the research and made this list of ISPs with competitive pricing AND won’t tie you down with long-term contracts like Hughesnet.
| ISP | Speed | Price Range/month | Contract |
| Google Fiber | 1,000 to 8,000 Mbps | $70 to $150 | None |
| Astound | 100 to 1,5000 Mbps | $20 to $80 | None |
| CenturyLink | 10 to 140 Mbps | $55 | None |
| Spectrum | 300 to 1,000 Mbps | $50 to $80 | None |
| Kinetic | 100 to 1,000 Mbps | $40 to $70 | None |
| AT&T | 300 to 5,000 Mbps | $55 to $250 | None |
| Fios by Verizon | 300 to 2,000 Mbps | $50 to $120 | None |
These are 2024 prices but they could change without notice. Please visit their websites to verify the prices.
The great thing about signing up for an Internet service without contracts is that if it doesn’t meet your satisfaction, you can cancel before the end of the month.
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Summary
You can only cancel your Hughesnet Internet service by calling Customer Care at 1-866-347-3292. The phone lines are open 24/7.
Return the leased equipment within 45 days of canceling the service or you’ll be charged an unreturned equipment fee of $300.
You can cancel the service anytime but you might be charged an ETF. Before canceling, review your Subscriber Agreement to find out if you’ll be charged an ETF and how much.
If you haven’t heard from Customer Care within seven days of sending your cancelation request, follow up via phone call, chat, or email.
