Subscriber Agreement

For HughesNet® Business services ordered between July 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010 with the Lease option

Key Terms

Set forth below is the entire Subscriber Agreement for Leased Equipment. Here are the key terms of this Agreement:

  • The Equipment provided as part of the Service is to be leased by you. This agreement does not provide for the sale of this Equipment. You must return the Equipment to Hughes when this Agreement terminates or expires.
  • You are committing to pay for Service Charges for a period of twenty-four (24) months. The commitment is absolute and not subject to any set-off or reduction.
  • In the event you terminate this Agreement prior to the expiration of the twenty-four- (24-) month commitment period, you will be liable for Early Termination Charges in the amounts set forth in Section 2.4 below.

1.   THE SERVICE.

Hughes provides a two-way, satellite-based Internet access solution that carries information between the Internet and your personal computer (the “Service”).

1.1.   COMPOSITION OF THE TERMS OF SERVICE.

This Subscriber Agreement and the HughesNet Subscriber Privacy Policy collectively make up the HughesNet Terms of Service. The HughesNet Terms of Service govern your HughesNet subscription and your use of the HughesNet Service and any other HughesNet services (as defined below). Certain features and services offered by Hughes and its suppliers contain additional terms or guidelines that supplement this Subscriber Agreement and, along with this Subscriber Agreement, will govern the use of those services. You will have an opportunity to review the additional terms before you sign up or use those services.

2.   TERM OF AGREEMENT. MODIFICATIONS; RIGHTS OF CANCELLATION OR SUSPENSION.

2.1   SITE SERVICE TERM.

The term of Service for each location receiving Services under this Agreement (the “Site Service Term”) shall begin on the date the required Equipment has been activated and shall continue in effect until the date that is twenty-four (24) months after the activation such Equipment (the “Initial Site Service Term”).

At the end of the Site Service Term, the Term will automatically renew for successive, additional one-month periods, unless otherwise terminated by either party giving written notice to the other at least thirty (30) days prior to the end of the Initial Site Service Term or any extension then in effect. You acknowledge and agree that your obligation to make monthly Service Charge payments for the Initial Site Service Term is absolute and not subject to reduction. In the event you terminate the Service prior to the expiration of this Term, you will be liable for early termination charges as described in Section 2.4 below.

2.2.   MODIFICATION OF THIS SUBSCRIBER AGREEMENT; NOTICES.

Hughes may revise this Subscriber Agreement (the “Agreement”) at any time by posting the modified version to http://subagree.hughesnet.com. Although Hughes may choose to provide you with individual notice of material modifications to the Agreement, it has no obligation to do so. In the event you do not agree to such revisions, you must cancel your subscription and stop using the Service prior to the effective date of such modifications or, if no effective date is provided, within thirty (30) days after such modifications are first posted on the Hughes Website at www.Hughes.com (the “Website”). Your continued use of the Service after the effective date of such modifications constitutes your full acceptance of such modifications.

2.3.   MODIFICATION OF THE SERVICE.

Hughes may discontinue, add to, or revise any or all aspects of the Service in Hughes’ sole discretion, with or without notice, including, without limitation, access to support services, publications, and any other products or services ancillary to the Service. For purposes of illustration and not limitation, Hughes may: (1) establish and enforce limitations concerning use of the Service, e.g., the maximum number and/or size of email messages that may be sent from or received by an account on the Service, and the maximum amount of bandwidth that may be used by a single user or a single account; (2) take any action that Hughes deems appropriate to prevent and/or delete bulk email; (3) delete old email messages from any account; (4) quarantine or delete messages or content suspected of containing viruses or other malware; (5) refuse to process email or instant messages that fit criteria defined by us; or (6) modify any user setting. In the event that Hughes makes any changes to the Service or its availability, Hughes may, but is not required to, notify you.

2.4.   TERMINATION BY SUBSCRIBER.

If you cancel prior to the expiration of the twenty-four- (24-) month period, you will be subject to a phased-in early termination fee as follows:

Within the first thirty (30) days, a $500 early termination fee, and a $300 additional charge if leased equipment is not returned.

  • From month 2 to month 6, a $1,000 early termination fee.
  • From month 7 to month 12, an $800 early termination fee.
  • From month 13 to month 18, a $500 early termination fee.
  • From month 19 to month 24, a $200 early termination fee.

In the event that Hughes modifies this Agreement, the Service, or related pricing or billing terms, you may immediately terminate your account and this Agreement. Subject to your payment of the termination charges herein described, you may also do so at any other time and for any reason on written notice to Hughes. You must terminate this Agreement in accordance with the terms and conditions specified herein; failure to do so may delay or prevent us from knowing that termination was intended. Failure to terminate in accordance with this Agreement may result in your continued liability for all fees and charges associated with your Service account until such time as the Agreement has been properly terminated or Hughes has acknowledged such termination in writing. In the event you cancel or breach your subscription to the Service prior to the expiration of the Initial Site Service Term of twenty-four (24) months, you will be subject to a service termination fee of up to as set forth below.

Termination Fees to be phased into 6-month windows (example below):

  Months 1 – 6: $1,000
  Months 7 – 12:  $   800
  Months 13 – 18: $   500
  Months 19 – 24: $   200

If you wish to terminate your service, contact our Billing Department at 1-866-347-3292. Except as may be otherwise provided in this Agreement, cancellation of your Subscription is your sole right and remedy with respect to any dispute with Hughes. This includes, but is not limited to, any dispute related to, or arising out of: (1) any term of this Agreement or Hughes’ enforcement or application of this Agreement; (2) any policy or practice of Hughes, including the Fair Access Policy and the HughesNet Subscriber Privacy Policy, or Hughes’ enforcement or application of these policies; (3) the content available on the Service or the Internet or any change in content provided by Hughes; (4) your ability or inability to access and/or use the Service; or (5) the amount or type of fees, surcharges, applicable taxes, billing methods, or any change to the fees, applicable taxes, surcharges, or billing methods.

2.5.   TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION BY HUGHES.

Hughes reserves the right to terminate or suspend your account and this Agreement at any time, with or without notice, in whole or in part, for any reason or no reason.

Without limitation to the foregoing, Hughes may also terminate this Agreement for your default, pursuant to the terms herein specified.

The occurrence of any one or more the following events (“Events of Customer Default”) shall constitute a default by you under this Agreement:

A.   Default by you in the payment of any charge payable hereunder as and when the same becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of thirty (30) days; or

B.   Default by you in the performance of any other material term, covenant, or condition of this Agreement, which default shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days; or

C.   The making of an assignment by you for the benefit of its creditors or the admission by Customer in writing of its inability to pay its debts as they become due, or the insolvency of Customer, or the filing by you of a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or your adjudication of as bankrupt, or your filing of any petition or answer seeking for itself any reorganization, arrangement, composition, or readjustment precipitated by the insolvency or bankruptcy, any liquidation, dissolution, or similar relief under any present or future statute, law, or regulation, or your filing of any answer by admitting, or your failure to deny, the material allegations of a petition filed for any such relief, or your seeking the appointment of any trustee, receiver, or liquidator or of all or any substantial part of the your properties, or your inability to pay its debts when due, or your commission of any act of bankruptcy.

Upon the occurrence of any Event of Customer Default, Hughes may, in addition to any other rights or remedies available to it at law or in equity, terminate this Agreement immediately. In the event of such termination, you shall be liable for the Early Termination Charges as herein described. You shall also be fully liable for reasonable damages as provided by law and for all costs and expenses incurred by Hughes on account of such default including all court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees, and Hughes may use all reasonable measures, including without limitation self-help remedies, to recover possession of any Equipment not previously purchased by Customer and without any liability to Customer therefore, except for damages resulting from the fault or negligence of Hughes.

2.6.   CONTINUATION OF OBLIGATIONS.

Notwithstanding any cancellation or termination of this Agreement or your account, or any suspension or termination of access to or use of the Service, you will remain responsible for any obligations accrued up to the date of such action, including payment of any charges that may be due as a result of or in connection with such action(s).

3.   EQUIPMENT PROVIDED AS PART OF THE SERVICE.

The following conditions relative to title and risk of loss shall apply to any Equipment provided as part of the Service (i.e., the lease of the satellite equipment is included in the monthly Service charge).

3.1   TITLE.

Hughes or its assigns will retain full legal title to the Equipment, it being expressly understood that this Agreement does not provide for the sale of the Equipment to you, nor does this Agreement constitute a security instrument in conjunction with the sale of the Equipment.

3.2   INSPECTION.

Upon reasonable notice to you, Hughes or its agents shall have free access to the Equipment at reasonable times for the purpose of inspection and for any other purpose contemplated by this Agreement.

3.3.   DAMAGE, DESTRUCTION, OR LOSS.

From and after the installation date for any Equipment, you are responsible for and hereby assume the risk of loss, damage, or destruction with respect to any installed Equipment resulting from any cause whatsoever.

If such damaged Equipment cannot be repaired by Hughes or is damaged beyond repair or is lost, stolen, or destroyed (any such occurrence hereinafter referred to as an “Event of Loss”), then this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without any abatement of payments hereunder. You must immediately notify Hughes of the same and shall promptly purchase from Hughes or otherwise replace the affected Equipment with a like unit, in good condition.

3.4.   EQUIPMENT USE.

You must use the Equipment in a reasonable manner, and in full compliance with Hughes’ instructions, to avoid making the Equipment unsuitable for use with the Services to be provided under this Agreement. Customer’s use of the Equipment shall be in full compliance with all laws, rules, and regulations of each and every governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Equipment.

3.5.   EQUIPMENT RETURN.

Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, you must surrender possession of the Equipment at such location(s) in the continental United States of America as Hughes may direct. The Equipment shall be returned in the same condition it was in at the start of the Term (ordinary wear and tear resulting from proper use excepted). You shall remain liable for all Service Charges for the remainder of the Term. In the event you request that Hughes perform the required de-installation work, the applicable de-installation charges will be quoted by Hughes at the appropriate time.

3.6.   SECURITY INTERESTS; FINANCING STATEMENTS.

You acknowledge and agree that all of the Equipment shall be and shall remain personal property notwithstanding the manner in which it may be attached or affixed to realty, and you agree to do all acts and enter into all agreements necessary (including, without limitation, obtaining from your landlord a waiver of any landlord or other lien the landlord may be entitled to) to insure that the Equipment remains personal property free and clear of any liens. You shall indemnify Hughes, and hold it harmless from and against any and all loss, liability, cost, damage, and expense (including reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs) arising out of or related to any claim that the Equipment constitutes a fixture or is a part of the realty in or upon which it is located.

IN THE EVENT HUGHES SELLS, TRANSFERS, GRANTS A SECURITY INTEREST IN, OR ASSIGNS PART OR ALL OF ITS RIGHT, TITLE, AND INTEREST IN AND TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE EQUIPMENT, THE SERVICE CHARGES, OR ANY OTHER SUMS DUE OR TO BECOME DUE BY YOU HEREUNDER, TO AN ASSIGNEE(S), YOU HEREBY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES FROM ANY SUCH ASSIGNEE(S), EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE EQUIPMENT, AND YOU AGREE TO LOOK SOLELY TO HUGHES AND ALL WARRANTIES MADE BY HUGHES.

4.   WHO MAY USE THE SERVICE? – RESPONSIBILITY AND SUPERVISION.

4.1.   AGE AND ACCOUNT SETUP.

You represent that you are at least 18 years of age and have the right and ability to enter into this Agreement. You agree that you are responsible for installing, establishing, and setting up, and for verifying and maintaining, the account, options, settings, and other parameters under which the Service is used, including, without limitation, all related passwords and user identification information. These account functions may be performed only by a person at least 18 years of age, without exception.

4.2.   MULTIPLE USE OF ACCOUNT.

Multiple members of your business may share a single ID number and account, if authorized by you to use the account. In addition, multiple users at the same site may access the Service at any given time through the same ID number or account; however, performance may be degraded.

4.3.   INSTALLATION OF SUBSCRIBER EQUIPMENT.

You acknowledge and agree that Hughes or its designated service provider may be required to access your premises and/or computer system in order to install and maintain the components necessary for you to access the Service (the “Subscriber Equipment”). This may include opening your computer to install, repair, or replace equipment or install software on your computer at your location. By accepting this Agreement and scheduling a service or installation visit, you hereby authorize Hughes or its service provider to access your computer for the purpose of installing, repairing, or replacing Subscriber Equipment for the purpose of facilitating your access to the Service.

NEITHER HUGHES NOR ITS SERVICE PROVIDER SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER FOR ANY LOSSES RESULTING FROM INSTALLATION, REPAIR, OR OTHER SERVICES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGE TO YOUR PREMISES OR COMPUTER, OR LOSS OF SOFTWARE, DATA, OR OTHER INFORMATION FROM YOUR COMPUTER. Hughes may check the version of the HughesNet software on your computer and, without any additional notice to you, may download and install on your computer updates to the HughesNet software. In addition, Hughes may check the health and status of your computer to ensure that your configuration is optimized for use with the Service.

4.4.   SUBSCRIBER RESPONSIBILITY.

You shall be responsible for all access to and use of the Service through your account or password(s) and for any fees incurred for goods or services purchased thereon, or any other expenses incurred as a result of any use of your account. You promise to pay the amounts billed for any such goods or services, along with any related fees, taxes, and charges. Use of your account is limited to users using the service at your permanent location or place of business. You acknowledge that you are aware that areas accessible on or through the Service may contain material that is unsuitable for minors (persons under 18 years of age). You agree to supervise usage of the Service by minors who use the Service through your account. You hereby ratify and confirm any obligations a minor using your account enters into or assumes and any promises or permissions such minor makes or gives. You agree to: (1) provide us with true, accurate, current, and complete information about yourself; and (2) promptly update this information to keep it true, accurate, current, and complete.

5.   FEES AND PAYMENT.

5.1.   FEES, TAXES, AND OTHER CHARGES.

You agree to pay, in advance, and in accordance with the provisions of the billing option you selected, any registration, activation, and/or monthly fees, ISP service charges, minimum charges, and other amounts charged to or incurred by you, or by users of your account, at the rates in effect for the billing period in which those amounts are charged or incurred. You further acknowledge and agree that your obligation to pay all Service Charges, and the rights of Hughes in and to such Service Charges, shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be subject to any abatement, reduction, set-off, defense, counterclaim, or recoupment for any reason whatsoever. You agree to pay all applicable taxes and Universal Service assessments related to your use of the Service or the use of the Service by users of your account, including, without limitation, personal property taxes on the Equipment provided. Information on charges and surcharges (if any) that are to be paid to us and are incurred by you or by users of your account will be made available to you on the Website, and you agree that this is sufficient notice for all purposes as to charges incurred and paid or to be paid to us. Hughes reserves the right to increase fees, surcharges, or monthly subscription fees, or to institute new fees at any time upon thirty (30) days’ prior notice. You understand and acknowledge that you may not receive a bill in the mail for your Service. Additional terms relating to pricing, billing, and payment are set forth and available on the Website.

5.2.   PAYMENT.

Hughes accepts invoice billing for business customers. Hughes may perform a business credit check that may help determine whether Hughes will extend credit to a customer. Hughes reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to not extend credit to a customer for any reason whatsoever. In such case, Hughes may, at its option, request that any amounts owing or to be charged be paid by a credit card, or alternatively, request a personal financial guarantee from one or more of the principals of the applicable business customer.

Except where additional methods of payment are specifically required or permitted under applicable law or regulation, or where Hughes explicitly and in advance permits another method of payment, you agree that you will provide a major credit or charge card (i.e., MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover) that Hughes may charge for all Service fees or other amounts payable under this Agreement. Additionally, you agree that Hughes may pre-charge your monthly Service fee to the credit or charge card supplied by you during activation or subscription. You hereby authorize automatic credit or charge card billing by Hughes for all such charges. You further agree that the charges described above will be billed to the credit or charge card that you have provided when you applied for the Service. YOU MUST PROVIDE CURRENT, COMPLETE, AND ACCURATE INFORMATION FOR YOUR BILLING ACCOUNT. YOU MUST PROMPTLY UPDATE ALL INFORMATION IN ORDER TO KEEP YOUR ACCOUNT CURRENT, COMPLETE, AND ACCURATE (SUCH AS A CHANGE IN BILLING ADDRESS, CREDIT CARD NUMBER, OR CREDIT CARD EXPIRATION DATE). CHANGES TO SUCH INFORMATION CAN BE MADE AT www.MyHughesNet.com. IF YOU FAIL TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY OF THE FOREGOING INFORMATION, YOU AGREE THAT HUGHES MAY CONTINUE CHARGING YOU FOR ANY SERVICE PROVIDED UNDER YOUR ACCOUNT, AND THAT YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LATE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH HUGHES’ INABILITY TO OBTAIN PAYMENT BASED ON BILLING INFORMATION YOU HAVE PROVIDED. You agree that all charges are considered valid unless disputed in writing within fifteen (15) days after the date you receive your credit or charge card bill. You agree that Hughes will not be responsible for any expenses that you may incur resulting from overdrawing your bank account or exceeding your credit limit as a result of an automatic charge made under this Agreement.

In the event that you used a debit card to activate your subscription, you authorize Hughes to initiate debit entries to your checking or savings account, as the case may be, for payment of the monthly charge for the Service. Hughes, pursuant to this authorization, will debit the monthly service charge for the Service from your account each month. In addition, Hughes will deduct from your account any and all early termination charges arising from termination of your Service prior to its required minimum term. Hughes will not be responsible for any overdraft or other third-party fees or penalties resulting from Hughes debiting from your account any amount authorized by this Agreement or any other agreement between you and Hughes. Hughes will charge a return fee for each debit that is declined by your bank. The return fee will vary from state to state and will be the maximum amount allowed in each state.

You acknowledge that the recurring debit authorized hereunder will purchase the Service and that Hughes will continue to debit monies from your account until you revoke this authorization by going online to www.MyHughesNet.com to change payment method or by mailing a written request to:

HughesNet Customer Service
11717 Exploration Lane
Germantown, MD 20876

Credit card payment is not required for residents of states where payment by credit cards may not be made mandatory. Further, in the event that checks submitted by you are returned for insufficient funds, or if your account is suspended for non-payment, and you wish to restore Services, in addition to other charges which may be applicable, you may be liable for an additional administrative charge of up to $25. If you think a charge is incorrect or you need more information, you should contact our billing department. You must contact us within sixty (60) days after receiving the statement on which the error or problem appeared. Hughes will make available to you a statement for each billing cycle showing payments, credit purchases, and other charges. Payment of the outstanding balance is due in full each month, and may be billed in advance or pre-charged as set forth above. If your payment is not received by us before the next statement is issued, you may be charged interest on the delinquent balance at the lesser of one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month or the maximum rate permitted by applicable law, prorated on a daily basis. Hughes may, but is not required to, accept partial payments from you. If partial payments are made, they will be applied to statements starting with the oldest outstanding statement. If you send us checks or money orders marked “payment in full” or otherwise labeled with restrictive endorsements, Hughes can, but is not required to, accept them, without losing any of Hughes’ rights to collect all amounts owed by you under this Agreement. In the case of late payment or non-payment, you understand and agree that Hughes may report such late payment or non-payment to the appropriate credit reporting agencies. If Hughes chooses to use any collection agency or attorney to collect money that you owe us or to assert any other right which we may have against you, you agree to pay the reasonable costs of collection or other action including, but not limited to, the costs of a collection agency, reasonable attorney’s fees, and court costs, as provided by applicable law.

5.3.   COMMENCEMENT AND DURATION OF SUBSCRIBERSHIP FEES.

You acknowledge that a monthly subscription fee will apply for each and every month (or portion thereof) that you subscribe to the Service. Once you subscribe, your account and payment obligations will continue until terminated as set forth herein.

6.   SOFTWARE LICENSE.

To facilitate your use of the Service, Hughes may provide you with software and written materials including documentation (the “Software”). Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Hughes grants you a limited personal, non-exclusive, non-sublicenseable, and non-transferable license to use and display the Software on any machine(s) on which you are the primary user or which you authorize for use. Unauthorized copying of any portion of the Software, including software that has been modified, updated, or merged or included with the Software, as well as the documentation provided, is expressly forbidden. You may not sublicense, assign, or transfer this license or the Software except as expressly permitted by Hughes. Any attempt to sublicense, assign, or transfer any of the rights, duties, or obligations under this license is void. You agree that you shall not, nor shall you permit others to, copy, duplicate, reverse engineer, decompile, or create derivative works from the Software, in whole or in part, including any written materials provided in conjunction with the Software. Hughes will occasionally provide automatic software and technology upgrades to improve the Service, such as virus and spam screening technologies, although these upgrades may not be consistent across all platforms and devices. You agree to accept and to take no action to interfere with such automatic upgrades, scanning, and related services.

7.   SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF THE SERVICE.

7.1.   PROHIBITED CONDUCT.

You agree to comply with the terms of the Hughes Acceptable Use Policy. Violations of the Acceptable Use Policy may result in suspension or termination of Service.

7.2.   HUGHES’ FAIR ACCESS POLICY.

To ensure fair Internet access for all HughesNet subscribers, Hughes maintains a Fair Access Policy. This policy establishes an equitable balance in Internet access for all HughesNet subscribers. Hughes assigns a Download Allowance to each service plan that limits the amount of data that may be continuously downloaded. The small percentage of subscribers who exceed this limit will experience a temporary reduction of speed. Hughes’ Fair Access Policy may be revised by Hughes at any time. More information about the current Fair Access Policy is available here.

7.3.   COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.

You agree to comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations in connection with the Service, your use of the Service, and this Agreement.

7.4.   NO RESALE.

You agree not to reproduce, resell, transfer, trade, sublicense, or exploit for any commercial purposes your subscription to the Service, any portion thereof, or any capabilities or applications enabled by the Service (e.g., Voice over Internet Protocol service).

7.5.   ASSUMPTION OF RISK.

Hughes may, but shall not have any obligation to, screen content transmitted through and stored on the Service for objectionable material and material that violates any law or regulation, the terms of this Agreement, or the Acceptable Use Policy (collectively, “Objectionable Content”). Hughes may, but shall not have any obligation to, remove from the Service or refuse to store or transmit any Objectionable Content. You agree to bear all risks associated with any and all content you use, transmit, or receive on or through the Service, and agree that you will not rely on any such content.

7.6.   IP ADDRESSES.

In the event you are acquiring the use of one or more private IP Addresses through your HughesNet Subscription, the following conditions will apply. Hughes shall not have any obligation regarding the following:

  • “Static IP” addresses are primarily for the use for customers who need to access other networks through firewalls or VPNs that require an IP address from the source of the connection to remain the same over long periods of time.
  • IP addresses cannot be guaranteed in perpetuity. Hughes retains the right to change the IP addresses allocated for HughesNet systems. Should it become necessary to change a static IP, Hughes will attempt to contact the customer with sufficient notice advance of the change.
  • Hughes will not support any attempts to run Web pages, hosting servers, or SMTP relays behind a HughesNet terminal or any other server as described in the Hughes Acceptable Use Policy. This includes removing a static IP address off of SMTP “Blacklists” or “Dynamic IP address lists,” or creating custom reverse DNS entries for the IP addresses allocated to a HughesNet terminal, such that a customer domain name purchased by another vendor can be associated with a HughesNet system for the purposes of operating a Web page or SMTP service.
  • Hughes will not register IP addresses granted to a HughesNet customer as separate domains or DNS/MX Record domains customized for an individual subscriber.
  • All IP addresses allo…[TRUNCATED – see CSV]