| Service comparison: HughesNet and StarBand KU Band Consumer Level Plans | |||||||
| > More speed, bandwidth, and features are available from both providers at higher monthly subscription rates and possible additional monthly charges < | |||||||
| HughesNet | StarBand | ||||||
| Name of plan | Home | Pro | Pro Plus | Nova 1000 | Nova 1500 | ||
| Monthly subscription fee | $59.99 | $69.99 | $79.99 | $69.99 (or $79.00 for 12 months) | $99.99 (or $109.00 for 12 months) | ||
| Length of supscription obligation | 24 months | 24 months | 24 months | 24 months | 24 months | ||
| Bandwidth offered "Up to" DOWN/UP | 700 kbps/128 kbps | 1 Mbps/200 kbps | 1.5 Mbps/256 kbps | 1 Mbps/128 kbps | 1.5 Mbps/256 kbps | ||
| Standard outdoor equipment | .74 m Antenna & 1W radio | .74 m Antenna & 1W radio | .74 m Antenna & 1W radio | .74 m Antenna & 1W radio | .74 m Antenna & 2W radio | ||
| Number of email addresses included | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 w/10MB storage each | 10 w/10MB storage each | ||
| Web space | Additional charge | Additional charge | Additional charge | 10 MB Included | 10 MB Included | ||
| Dial-up service as back-up | $15 per month | $15 per month | $15 per month | 10 hours per month Included | 10 hours per month Included | ||
| Access to Newsgroups | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Included | Included | ||
| Installer certification | Through dealer ($100-$500) | Through dealer ($100-$500) | Through dealer ($100-$500) | Offered free on-line | Offered free on-line | ||
| First line of tech support | Dealer for manual mobile systems | Dealer for manual mobile systems | Dealer for manual mobile systems | Dealer for manual mobile systems | Dealer for manual mobile systems | ||
| Next level of tech support | Located in New Delhi | Located in New Delhi | Located in New Delhi | Located in USA | Located in USA | ||
| Modem | Sits vertically with supplied stand | Sits vertically with supplied stand | Sits vertically with supplied stand | Supplied bracket provides for horizontal, vertical, or wall mounting | Supplied bracket provides for horizontal, vertical, or wall mounting | ||
| Modem size | 9.5" X 1.75" X 10.5" long | 9.5" X 1.75" X 10.5" long | 9.5" X 1.75" X 10.5" long | 7" X 2" X 7.5" long | 7" X 2" X 7.5" long | ||
| (Not including stand, mounting bracket, power supply or cables) | |||||||
| Power supply type / output | External, supplies multiple DC voltages via DIN Plug | External, supplies multiple DC voltages via DIN Plug | External, supplies multiple DC voltages via DIN Plug | External, supplies 24VDC to the modem | External, supplies 24VDC to the modem | ||
| Power supply input | 45W: 100-120VAC 50-60Hz 2A (Max) 64W: 120-240VAC 50-60Hz 2A (Max) | 45W: 100-120VAC 50-60Hz 2A (Max) 64W: 120-240VAC 50-60Hz 2A (Max) | 45W: 100-120VAC 50-60Hz 2A (Max) 64W: 120-240VAC 50-60Hz 2A (Max) | 50W: 100-240VAC 50-60Hz 1.8A (Max) | 50W: 100-240VAC 50-60Hz 1.8A (Max) | ||
| Antenna reflector | Metal* | Metal* | Metal* | Rust-proof, bend-proof, fiberglass | Rust-proof, bend-proof, fiberglass | ||
| Bandwidth limitaions | http://tinyurl.com/ygcbzm | http://tinyurl.com/ygcbzm | http://tinyurl.com/ygcbzm | http://www.starband.com/acceptableuse.html | http://www.starband.com/acceptableuse.html | ||
| Time of day when bandwidth limitations are not in effect | 3AM-6AM Eastern Time | 3AM-6AM Eastern Time | 3AM-6AM Eastern Time | Midnight-6AM Eastern Time | Midnight-6AM Eastern Time | ||
| Vacation "hold" on account available? | Up to 6 months per year, 2 months at a time per call. | Up to 6 months per year, 2 months at a time per call. | Up to 6 months per year, 2 months at a time per call. | Up to 6 months per year with one call after initial contract period. | Up to 6 months per year with one call after initial contract period. | ||
| Static IP available? | Not offered with this plan | Not offered with this plan | $10 additional per month | $5 additional per month | Included | ||
| VPN** | No official support | No official support | No official support | No official support | No official support | ||
| PC Professional Support Services*** | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | 3 Free hours per year included | 3 Free hours per year included | ||
| * Older fiberglass models available used | |||||||
| ** VPN may work in spite of not being supported. It is highly recommended that you test your VPN on the service plan you're considering before your purchase. | |||||||
| *** PC and router configuration for home networking, setting up e-mail clients and web browsers and support launching firewalls and anti virus software | |||||||