Head-To-Head : WildBlue
vs. HughesNet ...
(05/21/06)
For years the only two real players
in the
Unfortunately for Starband, they’ve had a difficult
time keeping up with HNS product & technology developments. This
has allowed HughesNet to grab by far the largest segment of home
/ soho user market.
As far as competition goes, the Starband
product line hasn’t really ever been much of a threat to Hughes. It
seemed the place people went who wanted "something other than" HughesNet .. not necessarily "something better than .. ".
While WildBlue
(WildBlue Communications Inc.) doesn’t exactly have the longstanding
satellite experience HNS does, this hasn't stopped them from
entering the market with a new and advanced satellite internet system
named “WildBlue”. This popular system has quickly positioned
them as a major contender in the home user market .. easily outpacing
Starband for new customer sign-ups.
Because WildBlue operates
on the Ka Band, and uses DOCSIS standard hardware, it's a system
that can compete in both the speed & technology areas, as well
as that all important bottom-line .. "price".
By no
coincidence, HNS released their newest satellite modem
package, the DW7000
only a couple of months after WildBlue hit the
market. No doubt Hughes hopes this next generation of satellite
modem will not only capture the attention of current customers,
but will also sway new users who may be considering a system
like WildBlue.
Hughes continually works to develop
better satellite hardware, and has released new satellite
dishes and
modems every couple of years. The DW7000, which operates in the Ku
Band, is their latest consumer level system.
In the end
though, I doubt many users actually care what band their satellite
modem operates on .. as long as the connection is fast and stable. In
my many years of running & satellite sites & forums I've
yet to see so much as a single user write about how they
wished their modem/dish operated on a different band. To users (and
potential users) of satellite internet, the overall main concern is
'performance' .. plain and simple.
Given such, I decided I'd
put these two systems to the test and see just how things would
turn out in a head-to-head comparison.
I had initially
set out to write this article very soon after both systems had hit
the market as sort of a ‘new products compared’ type of thing. A few things on my end coupled with a the changes WildBlue & HughesNet
went through forced some rewrites & delays.
As the rewrites
progressed, I decided not to worry about being hot-to-press with a
comparison of these systems right after they became available. Rather,
I decided to let the dust settle on them both a while and see how
they performed over time. I’m pleased it worked out this way as I
have a lot better feel for the pros and cons of both these units now. Further, both companies (especially WildBlue .. being ‘new’ and all)
have had an opportunity to get some minor quirks worked out.
While having this comparison completed and posted back in October
would have looked nice, I think having it done now will give both
current users and potential new customers a better feel for how these
systems will really perform for them, and ultimately which system
would best fit their needs.
Setting
the stage ...
Both WildBlue and HughesNet users can subscribe
to a variety of ‘packages’ which determine such things as upload &
download speeds, FAP limits, static IP availability,
etc ..
No matter what package one subscribes to, the WildBlue hardware remains
the same.
HughesNet can optionally (at an additional
cost) be teamed up with larger satellite dishes and higher powered
satellite transmitters.
WildBlue with ‘Pro-Pak’ subscription : This is
WildBlue’s best home subscription package, providing their highest
available download & upload speeds, and the largest FAP limits. The WildBlue Pro-Pak advertises upstream speeds of “up to 256Kbps”
and
Downstream speeds of “up to 1.5Mbps”. It’s FAP thresholds
are 5GB upload & 17GB download total over a consecutive 30 calendar
days. (A “Rolling 30-Day” FAP.)
This system uses the standard
WildBlue modem, a 28”x26” (about .71m) satellite dish, and a
satellite transmitter that operates around 2 watts.
HughesNet
DW7000 with ‘Professional’ subscription : This is the highest-speed
package that HughesNet offers in conjunction with their .74m dish. (This is the same dish used on models like the DW4000, DW4020, &DW6000.) The Professional package offers a maximum download
speed of 1Mbps and a maximum upload speed of 200Kbps. It uses a 1-Watt
satellite transmitter.
The HughesNet FAP is handled differently
than WildBlue. This package has a download
Threshold of 350MB, and
a recovery rate of 56Kbps.
Unlike WildBlue, HughesNet
systems are optionally available with a range of satellite dish sizes,
as well a higher powered 2-Watt satellite transmitter. As such, I
added one more system that a regular home-user might opt for into
this comparison ..
HughesNet DW7000 with ‘Small Office’
subscription : The Small-Office package consists of a DW7000
modem teamed with a larger .98m satellite dish and a 2-Watt transmitter.
It claims download speeds of up to 1.5Mbps and upload speeds
of up to 300Kbps. It
has a FAP download threshold of 500MB. and a 150Kbps
recovery rate.
The test systems :
I personally own/use
a WildBlue system with a Pro-Pak subscription, as well as a HughesNet
DW7000 system with a business level subscription package subscription.
All WildBlue tests were done here with my WildBlue system.
The HughesNet Small-Office system tests were done here
using my .98 dish & transmitter connected to a DW7000 modem I
borrowed from a local friend who has the Small Office subscription.
Though it made my property look more like a SETI research zone than
a residence, I was fortunate to have a family member who was willing
to let me take their new DW7000 & .74 dish out of their RV and
bring it here for a couple of weeks. They have the dish attached to
a tripod so they can set it out and have internet access while they
camp. They have the Professional package.
Rating
System :
I’m using a simple point-rating system of 1 to 5, with
5 being the best.
Ok .. let’s get on with it ! J
Initial
Hardware Costs :
Satellite systems require you to purchase
all the hardware outright. (Compared to cable or dsl systems
where users often rent or get free use of a modem while subscribing
to the service.)
Wildblue Satellite Dish & Modem : $299.00 (Additional Installation Fee : $179.95)
HughesNet DW7000
& .74 Dish : $399.00 (Additional Installation
Fee : $199.99)
HughesNet DW7000 & .98 Dish : $799.00 (Additional Installation Fee : $199.99)
I’m
really pleased with the WildBlue hardware pricing .. especially when
compared to the HughesNet .74m dish combo. I understand that
the DW7000 modem itself is a better featured modem, and that’s likely
where the added cost comes in. Still, the DW7K/.74m package can’t
achieve the speeds of the WildBlue Pro-Pak .. so I like the
$100. price savings on the WildBlue system.
Rating (5=Best): WildBlue : 5 DW7K/.74
: 4 DW7K/.98
: 3
Note: I should note that HughesNet has had a promotional
plan in effect for some time now, and that continues at least through
6/30/06. It gives new buyers a $100. rebate off the system hardware
cost. That would bring the DW7K/.74 system down to the same price
as WildBlue.
Additionally, they are now offering an additional “Spring
Bonus” rebate for an additional $100 rebate. These combined rebates
make HughesNet pricing very reasonable.
Also, HughesNet offers
an alternative pricing plan for the DW7K/.74 combo, which I did find
quite agreeable. Rather than drop the $599.(hardware plus installation)
all at once, you can instead pay $99. down and $109.99 a month for
15 months. After 15 months your monthly rate drops to the subscription
plan price alone as the system itself is then paid off. It’s
a nice option if upfront costs in general are a big issue to you,
as going this route would have you up and running for the least amount
of initial cash outlay.
I didn’t factor this pricing plan into
my above rating, as that rating is based on the full outright purchase
of the system.
Installation :
Both WildBlue
and HughesNet list that professional installation is required for
their systems. With new systems, both companies strictly enforce it.
With either system it’s always best to ask during the
initial contact and find out if installation will be an added expense.
Some HughesNet dealers and WildBlue coops offer free installation,
which is a big savings.
Rating (5=Best): WildBlue : 3 DW7K/.74
: 3 DW7K/.98
: 4
Installation is no small job .. but it’s not rocket
science either. If you have to pay for it, it’s not cheap. (It nearly
costs the same as the hardware.) I did however feel the cost was more
justified on the HughesNet .98 system. That’s one big dish, with a
lot of parts to put together. Not a task I’d want to perform.
Note : From 4/1/06 through 5/31/06 participating resellers
are offering free installation on new WildBlue systems. This is a
nice deal, since it can save you nearly $180. . As this is a
limited time offer, it’s not factored into the ratings.
Mobility
Options ( & re-installation) :
Some users want the
ability to take their satellite internet systems on the road with
them for internet access in their RV or at a campground. There
are even specialty products marketed for this specific application
which range from portable satellite dish tripods, to full auto-deploying
/ auto-aiming systems. Portability certainly isn’t a need for everyone,
but it’s a nice to have the option. The .74m dish & DW7000
I used in these tests was borrowed from a relatives RV and was setup
on a tripod they bought for setting up in campgrounds.
(This
is one area where the smaller .74m size satellite dish shines over
the .98m , as it’s smaller size makes for much easier setup and transporting.)
When
both WildBlue and HughesNet systems are initially installed, they’re
basically assigned to function only within a set radius. With WildBlue
that radius is typically about 1/2 – 3/4 of the size of whatever
state you’re in.
With HughesNet the operational footprint is
quite a bit larger because it’s based on which satellite you’re part
of the country is aimed to, as compared to the smaller ‘spot-beams’
used by WildBlue.
The DW7000 modem has a number of internal
commands and option screens that the user can access. This includes
a screen which displays the coordinates at which the modem was initially
designed to operate.
Even if one can’t afford the fancy
satellite dish auto-deploying / auto-aiming systems, it’s pretty simple
to relocate a HughesNet dish to any location in the country using
a compass, a GPS system (or most any method that will tell you your
longitude & latitude coordinates such as websites like maporama.com,
netstate.com, mapserver.maptech.com etc..), and some software like
Point-4020 and Look Angle Calculator. The DW7000 internal configuration
screen will display your signal strength for the fine-tuning part
of the setup.
The
same methods one uses to bring HughesNet on the road can also be used
for a new permanent setup should you move to a new home. This can
save you the cost of an installation service call.
Unfortunately,
the same thing that keeps the WildBlue modem inexpensive also limits
what the end user can do to it In the way of programming & moving.
While the DW7000 is a custom satellite modem, the WildBlue modem DOCSIS
design makes it more similar to a standard cable-modem. That’s great
for cutting manufacturing & retail costs, but doesn’t do much
for special features.
Simply put, there’s no method for the end
user to take WildBlue on the road or to relocating it for a permanent
move.
Add to that the lack of any simple way to check your signal
strength and you’re prevented from moving the system even within your
spot-beam coverage area. As such, professional installation (and/or
re-installation) would always be required.
Rating (5=Best): WildBlue : 0 DW7K/.74
: 5 DW7K/.98
: 3
Package Features,
Options, & Pricing :
The WildBlue Pro-Pak costs $79.95 per
month and includes :
Download speeds : Up to 1.5Mpps
Upload speeds
: Up to 256Kbps
10 Email addresses, each with 25Mb capacity per address.
Email
spam & virus filtering. : Included
Newsgroup access. : Included
Technical
Support. : 24/7
Dial-up access. (10 Hrs per month)
Static IP Address
: Not currently available.
Web Space : 20MB
Satellite Dish : 28”x26”
(about .71m)
Transmitter Power : aprox. 2-Watt
The HughesNet Professional
Package costs $69.99 per month and includes :
Download speeds
: Up to 1Mbps
Upload speeds : Up to 200Kbps
5 Email addresses, each
with 2GB storage per address.
Email spam & virus filtering : Included
Email
accounts include spam & virus filtering.
Newsgroup access : Not
available
Technical Support : 24/7
Dial-up access. : Not included. (Unlimited
use available optionally for $15. per month.)
Static IP Address : Not
included. (Available optionally for $20. per month.)
Satellite Dish
: .74m
Transmitter Power : 1-Watt
The HughesNet Small-Office Package
costs $99.99 per month and includes :
Download speeds : Up to
1.5Mbps
Upload speeds : Up to 300Kbps
5 Email addresses, each with 2GB
storage per address.
Email spam & virus filtering : Included
Newsgroup
access : Not available
Technical Support : 24/7
Dial-up access : Not
included. (Unlimited use available optionally for $15. per month.)
Static
IP Address : Not included. ( One (1) static IP available optionally
for $20. per month, OR
Five (5) total static IP addresses for $30. per month.)
Satellite Dish
: .98m
Transmitter Power : 2-Watt
(Speed ..)
Balancing
cost with the offered upstream/downstream speeds, all the systems
are fairly equal. However, the HughesNet Professional Package &
WildBlue Pro-Pak seem the most similar. While slower by 512 kbps downstream
& 56 kbps upstream, the HughesNet Professional Package offsets
this with a $10.00 per month savings over the WB Pro-Pak.
The HughesNet Small Office package offers the same downstream
speeds as the WildBlue Pro-Pak, with a slightly higher upstream offering. The $20. per month additional cost for the HughesNet package doesn’t
quite balance out as well when factoring speed alone.
(Email
..)
While email itself is very important, I question how many
average users will need or use anything near 10 email addresses, each
with 25MB of storage per address, as WildBlue’s Pro-Pak offers. It
makes for nice looking numbers on a chart, but I doubt highly the
majority of users come near using either the quantity or storage capacity
offered with this package. I’ll take it since it’s included .. I just
limit the value I attach to features I may never use.
Both HughesNet
systems reviewed come with 5 email addresses, each with 2GB of storage.
For the price, and given it’s marketed potential use in a “small office”,
I’d like to see the Small Office package come with a few more email
addresses. I’m not sure even a soho user would need 2GB of email
space though.
As with WildBlue .. “I’ll take it .. “ .. but
I would rather see those storage capacities lowered, and be given
something else in place. (How about 1GB of web-space instead?)
(Newsgroups ..)
Back in April of 2003
Hughes removed newsgroup service from all it’s packages. It hasn’t
been offered since.
While the majority of users don’t use newsgroups
it’s still a popular enough feature for many and a welcome inclusion
to the WildBlue package. Interestingly, how good the newsgroup server
you get with WildBlue depends on how you get your WildBlue service.
People
who get their WB through a co-op will get their around 105,000 newsgroups
through popular newsgroup provider giganews.com.
If you get
your WildBlue directly through WildBlue corporate then your newsgroups
are provided by sisana.com. Through this service WildBlue subscribers
will only get around 47,000 newsgroups.
(Web-space
..)
While limited in function, it’s nice to have some web-space
for a personal or family-type web page. HughesNet doesn’t offer any
user web-space, and to the best of my knowledge they never have. WildBlue
gives Pro-pak customers 20MB of personal web-space.
Alike newsgroup
service it’s not something that everyone will use, nor is it any more
likely to be a feature that by itself sways a person to the WildBlue
service. Still, it’s a welcome addition to the service package.
(Static
IP ..)
Typically used for business needs, a static IP address
is a must-have for some people, and completely unimportant to others.
This is one feature that could make the difference between a person
buying one system or the other.
HughesNet offers static IP’s
for an additional $20. per month. (Or 5 static IP’s for $30 per month)
WildBlue claims they will eventually offer customers the option
of a static IP, but currently it is not available.
(Dial-up access ..)
I found dialup
service a curious addition to the WildBlue Pro-Pak service. Obviously
this would be something one would only use were your satellite service
not functioning for some reason. (Poor weather, etc.)
Out
of all the features of the Pro-Pak, I found this to be one of the
least important / useful. Service shouldn’t be down often enough (for
weather or any other reason) that dialup would be enough of a concern
to have added to my service package.
HughesNet offers dial-up
service optionally for $15. per month. , but it’s not included with
either
package.
Rating (5=Best): WildBlue : 4 DW7K/.74
: 3 DW7K/.98
: 3
