Hughesnet Fair access policy isn't very fair! Internet, Texas

Hughesnet must think we're stupid. I have had this problem multiple times, and I get confused each time I finish talking to tech support, I think largely because I struggle so hard to understand thick Indian accents. I try not to get too upset, but I think they are "charging me too much for small mistakes in bandwidth usage. Brings back traumatic childhood memories of an abusive stepfather...

The fair access policy is either an out and out lie, or something is wrong with the programming. I live out in the country, and am an online student. When we got the service, we wanted the same company that provided our satellite TV to provide our internet...but alas, they said the area was full. So we called Hughesnet. We later found out about the FAP, and decided to up our plan a little. (Did you know unlimited access is around $350 a month!?) So, to the point, I download a movie now and again, and had installed the Hughesnet monitor to keep track of remaining bandwidth so as to stay out of trouble. I got busy doing homework, and at 11PM the meter popped on the screen saying I'm out of bandwidth. So I turn off everything that sucks bandwidth, and go to bed...The next morning I'm still in the red, so I call tech support and try to explain that I couldn't be over more than a kilobite, and when is my internet coming back on? This guy Mark tells me that it's on a rotating cycle of 24 hours, not a daily basis, and that when my credit catches up with my use, my light will turn green, meaning I have available bandwidth. It is now 11:30PM the following night, and I still have no bandwidth. They encourage the purchase of tokens at $7.50 each, good for one days' worth of band width, so did they not just steal one day's worth of bandwidth from me? I think they owe me $7.50

I also think I am tired of being lied to, and being Hughesnet's pawn in whatever game they play...what can they gain by denying me bandwidth I have paid for, just for using all the bandwidth I have paid for? Collectively I am sure the bandwidth adds up to colossal amounts, but I am not savvy enough to understand how that equates to dollars.

There's other providers around here, I think it's time I gave some of them a call. If you are a hughesnet customer, think about what you are paying for, and what you are getting...maybe you should switch too. If enough of us leave, they'll have plenty of bandwidth to spread around.

Peace.