Internet Usage Policy

Big Thicket Field Research Station internet access uses HughesNet Satellite service which has upload and download limitations as well as upload and download speed limitations. Exceeding the upload and download limitations will result in a FAP—which is described below by HughesNet—the direct result of a FAP means we will have very slow internet service for 24‐48 hours which directly affects the staff of Big Thicket Association and any other guests using the internet service. A FAP speed is equal to or less than dial‐up internet service. BTA is allowed a 500 MB threshhold daily which has to be shared by all who access the internet.

To prevent the BTA internet connection from a HughesNet FAP, we ask our guests not to download, stream, or otherwise view videos, photos, music and movies from the internet, or on the internet. This is a courtesy to those who use the internet daily for work.

Example: watching a YouTube video is considered part of the 500 MB allowance, and will be deducted from our 500 MB allowance and watching it repeatedly will decrease the allowance everytime it is watched. We are allowed unlimited uploads and downloads between the hours of 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Please keep your usage of the internet professional and related to the purpose of your visit to the Big Thicket Field Research Station. The following uses of the internet are expressly prohibited by the BTA, and visitation of internet sites of this nature is not allowed: Internet gaming and gambling, pornography, hate sites, campaigning or political activities, hacking/cracking, and disclosure of system information (i.e. hardware, software, or firmware configurations) to an unauthorized person.

HUGHESNET FAIR ACCESS POLICY (FAP) DEFINED:

Fair Access Policy

To ensure fair Internet access for all HughesNet® subscribers, HUGHES maintains a Fair Access Policy (FAP). This policy establishes an equitable balance in Internet access for HughesNet subscribers. Hughes assigns a download threshold to each service plan that limits the amount of data that may be downloaded during a typical day. A small percentage of subscribers who exceed this limit will experience a temporary reduction of speed.

Hughes allows unlimited downloading between the hours of 3 am and 6 am, Eastern Standard time.

Explanation: The Fair Access Policy is straightforward. Based on an analysis of customer usage data, Hughes has established a download threshold for each of the HughesNet service plans that are well above the typical usage rates. Subscribers who exceed that threshold will experience reduced download speeds for approximately 24 hours.

During this recovery period, the HughesNet service may still be used, but speeds will be slower. Web browsing; for example, will be significantly slower than subscribers’ normal browsing experience. Subscribers will return to normal download speeds after the recovery period as long as they minimize their bandwidth‐intensive activities. If they continue these activities during this recovery period, reduced download speeds may continue beyond 24 hours.