DirecWay Uncensored Site News !

Well it didn't take too long for people to figure out that the new and improved Hughes Fair Access Policy (F.A.P.) isn't much of
an improvement, and hardly something to be pleased about. The Hughes website tells of how Hughesnet has increased the down-
load threshold for the Home, Pro, & ProPlus plans .. so that "Now you can enjoy more downloads, such as music files, photos,
and software updates!" Each of those three plans were given a 25MB increase over their prior download threshold.

Of course, there is a catch. (Hey .. when was the last time you got something for nothing?) In exchange for the 25MB increase
you have to eat a much higher penalty should you mistakenly exceed your subscribed package limits.
Alike before, the general penalty for exceeding your limit is having your internet speeds cut back to somewhere around dial-up.
The big difference now is the duration of that penalty. What previously bought you a penalty that ranged from between 1-8 hours,
now will have your speeds reduced for a full 24 hours!
Ouch! Let me understand this ... We're talking (even in the best/worst scenario) of a penalty increase of at least 16 hours in
exchange for 25MB "..more downloads, such as music files.."?!? I checked through my music files .. they average around 5Mb
each. So we're trading 5 more songs for a minimum of 16 hours more penalty time?!? Somehow that doesn't seem a very fair
trade. Small Office & Business Internet package subscribers (already paying a premium price for internet service) get it even
worse. They get the new F.A.P. penalty, without even the 25Mb download increase!

Hughes also claims to have changed the recovery rates for their service packages .. but has yet to release any details on
exactly what these changes are (whether for the better or worse).
Independent testing by users has so far shown the recovery rates to be pretty much, if not exactly the same as they were.
Maybe Hughes is working on a change, but not yet implimented it .. or maybe there really is no change. Time will tell.

The biggest complaints seem to be coming from small business owners, who use their HughesNet system for office work.
One can only imagine the hassel of having your business internet connection severely reduced for 24Hrs. That could well
span from one business day through the next.
While most people understand the need for some sort of usage management, it seems that Hughes hasn't left much room
for error with regards to their business customers. Hopefully they'll come up with some package or recovery rate system
that will allow small businesses to continue to find HughesNet a viable high-speed solution.

Now more than ever it's important you keep an eye downloading (and uploading) habbits, so as not to hit that 24hr penalty.
I personally use FapMon to track useage on my DW7000 .. it's still a great little program. However, with the new FAP and
recent firmware updates to the various Hughes modems we're having many of the programs here updated. :) Also quite a
few new programs are in the works, which is pretty exciting. Check the site regularly for new programs and updates !

Hi all ! It's been a good while since I really went through the site and made major updates and changes. I figure now is about
a good a time as any. :)

I've got some great new programs in the works for the site, as well as updates for many of the ones already here. Be sure
to check back regularly for them, as they are due out soon!

I'm also adding some new pages to the site .. some are still in the works, some are finished & online now. The navigation
bar on the side of the page has been changed slightly to reflect some of the new things. You'll see that bar change yet again
soon for some new programs & content that's upcoming.

The Message Board software has also been upgraded .. it's a bit snappier, and has a few more features. With nearly
105,000 messages, and just under 9,000 registered users, it's still my favorite source for HughesNet info. :) If you haven't
already checked it out, be sure to register and take a look around. It's a virtual encyclopedia of satellite info.

Well anyway .. my continued thanks to everyone for keeping this site going strong into it's 6th year online now. Again, be
sure to check around the site regularly and see the new info and updates !