How to Save Bandwidth with your HughesNet Satellite Internet Plan

Want to learn how to save bandwidth with your HughesNet Satellite Internet plan? Never fear Brad’s Electronics, your local HughesNet experts are here to help.

As with most Satellite Internet Plans HughesNet only gives you so much data in your monthly Data Allowance and we all know that buffering is frustrating especially when trying to stream music or videos. What most people don’t realize is that web browsers, backup services, and other PC applications may be sucking up bandwidth even when not in use. These are what we like to call leaks.

Fortunately, there are several ways to plug bandwidth leaks that will allow you to download and stream seamlessly. In about an hour, you can change the setting on applications like your web browser, social media sites, as well as backups and updates to keep you from losing valuable bandwidth.

How to Save Bandwidth by Changing Web Browser Settings

The number one bandwidth leak for most broadband connections is due from web pages that automatically stream video when the page loads. These videos are usually ads or previews played using Adobe Flash. The good news is that you can change your Chrome, Firefox, or Opera settings relatively easily.

Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, the three most popular browsers allow you to select which videos to play while Internet Explorer and Safari require a wider range of disabling functions. They both prevent any website from running Flash until specifically authorized to do so and then places those websites on a list where they are allowed to play automatically on future visits. Taking a moment to change these settings can save a ton of buffering time and help prevent bandwidth leaks.

For step-by-step instructions visit our page on How To Plug your bandwidth leaks for faster broadband performance. By making these changes, Flash animations will no longer run automatically and a pop up will ask you if you want to authorize Flash. If you select allow, that will be added to a list located on the same page where you disabled Flash. In the future, if you change your mind you can remove sites from the list by following the above protocol.

How to Save Bandwidth by Changing Social Media Settings

The best way to save bandwidth when logged on to social media is by using an RSS reader. It allows you to check messages and get updates without uploading every graphic. Downloading only the items that interests you is an easy way to save time and bandwidth.

How to Save Bandwidth on Backups and Updates

Instead of backing up your entire hard drive, only backup irreplaceable items like family pictures, artwork, and personal documents. If an item can be found in alternative places, assign it a lower priority or don’t back it up at all. You may also want to consider using a local backup option like a portable hard drive if you have a lot of important data stored.

Waiting to update your system will also save bandwidth on your HughesNet Satellite internet plan. Most operating systems automatically check for application updates and software holes and then fix the problem immediately. Change settings to manual updates to avoid backups running while you are working or watching a movie.
Taking a few minutes to change your settings is a great way to plug leaks. For more information on How to Save Bandwidth with your HughesNet Satellite Internet Plan visit our HughesNet FAQs.