Where is Satellite Internet Available

If you are interested in upgrading your internet access then you may want to consider satellite internet. However, this newer internet technology is not available nationwide by all satellite internet providers. This fact may incline you to ask, ?Where is Satellite Internet Available?? The answer is everywhere, but you need to know what provider serves your area.

In the contingent states of the U.S. satellite internet service is generally available nationwide. However, if you live in an area that has heavy weather patterns that include a lot of precipitation throughout the year then satellite internet service may be too expensive for the type of transmission quality you will be able to get. This is because the Ku frequency that many satellite internet providers utilize is dramatically impaired by rain and other forms of precipitation. Also if your property has a lot of tall trees that block a satellite dish?s ability to send and receive signals to the south then you will either need to find another type of internet service or you will need to clear some trees to get a clear signal.

In remote areas of the country like Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico the answer to where is satellite internet available is a little spottier. These areas are typically not served by satellite internet companies. However, there are a few options that residents of these areas can use. One of these options is SKYFX. This company combines a telecommunication modem with satellite technology to offer satellite internet to anyone that has a phone line. This not only allows people in remote areas to get broadband access to the internet, but it solves a lot of the signal accessibility issues caused by tall trees, position angles, and other obstructions.

In the market for a satellite internet provider? Nationwide Satellite Solutions is your provider of HughesNet internet services as well a great resource that will answer any questions you have. Find out if it available in your area. For more on satellite technology visit the online resource directory.

High Speed Satellite Internet

The latest addition to the list of newer and faster Internet accessing techniques is satellite Internet. Satellite Internet is the technology to connect to the World Wide Web though a satellite orbiting the earth. The data signals are exchanged between the host computer, ISP source and satellite.

Satellite Internet services are primarily of two types: one way and two way. In one-way satellite service, information can be downloaded via the satellite at a very high speed, but uploading is done via a regular modem. Two-way satellite Internet service supports both downloading as well as uploading of information. As uploading information through satellites may take slightly longer, it is advisable not to use this technology for applications which require fast, synchronous data transfer.

Using this service requires the installation of a dish at the user's location. Though expensive, this technology is extensively used in areas where terrestrial access to Internet is not viable, especially in sea vessels. The prime advantages of satellite Internet include: it can be used almost anywhere, it is fast, it offers 2-way connection speeds and unlimited access, and it is available in various packages to suit the user's needs.

Satellite Internet is also highly reliable. There are few incidences of a connection drop down while processing critical transactions via the net. Although a satellite connection facilitates fast Internet access, it is comparatively slower than other broadband technologies due to the long distance which the data has to travel. Its speed cannot be enhanced beyond a limit, while other services like DSL or Cable can attain much higher speeds.

However, without any wires or cables required, this technology is a sought-after option for far-off locations or sea vessels, as its reach is global. Various countries offer different methodologies to use this technology, depending upon the location of the satellite. Extremely reliable and safe, with newer and better improvisations in the pipeline, this technology is constantly improving.

High Speed Internet provides detailed information on High Speed Internet, High Speed Internet Access, High Speed Internet Services, High Speed Satellite Internet and more. High Speed Internet is affiliated with Satellite Internet Access.

Satellite Internet Access

The Internet is a terrestrial-based system, and satellite Internet technology utilizes an extraterrestrial-based system, i.e. satellite, to get connected to the Internet backbone. The need for the access through satellite is the lack of DSL and cable lines in remote areas and in mobile situations such as seafaring vessels.

Satellite Internet access works through a dish at the customer's location, which sends radio frequencies from the computer to the satellite. The dish is usually of 1.2 m diameter. The customer's location may be equipped with a satellite modem to convert digital information into analog form. The customer's location may be a single PC or networked workstations. This obviates the need for telephone lines.

At the other end, the satellite sends back the frequencies to the teleport at a ground station where a number of large aperture dishes are placed. From here, the data is sent to the network system, which consists of routers and optical cables that connect to the Internet backbone. As the Internet backbone is shared by many service providers, the bandwidth availability is restricted by the terrestrial Internet infrastructure.

At the user's location, the access is determined by the level of service required, whether it is one-way or two-way satellite service. One-way service may require a regular dial up service. A user may need to have a minimum of Windows- or Mac-supported PC with a networking capability. Other requirements include Ethernet port. Other than hardware requirements, software programming to manage interfaces is required.

Broadband access through satellite is a costly alternative to cable modems and DSL. The access is limited by the costly installations and the weather conditions. Besides, the uplink speed is limited by the dial-up speed just like dial-up Internet. The long-haul distance between the dish and satellite results in delay of the access.Satellite Internet provides detailed information on Satellite Internet, Satellite Internet Services, Satellite Internet Access, Satellite Internet Providers and more. Satellite Internet is affliated with High Speed Internet Services.

Disgusted With Dial-Up? - Compare DSL Service Providers, Cable and Satellite Internet To See If One

Do you find yourself waiting around for your Internet pages to load or digital photo files and other attachments to transfer?

Do your friends and family complain that they can never get through on the phone line because you or your kids are always online.Chances are you are still using dial up Internet service.Perhaps it’s time to consider an alternative method.

The main three types of high speed access include DSL, cable and satellite Internet. At the current time, DSL service providers and cable are not available in all areas. Some parts of the country do not have access to either option. Good satellite Internet reception is dependant on an unobstructed line of sight to the south. So where you live can make a big difference in which high speed Internet service you choose.

Here are some overviews of each service and comparisons for those fortunate to have more than one option available:

DSL Service Providers

DSL, which stands for Digital Subscriber Line, describes a technology that taps into unused frequencies on copper telephone lines to transmit information at much higher speeds. There is no dialup and accessing services. So access is immediate. With DSL, you can send both voice and high speed data over the same line. The bandwidth, or data transfer capacity, or DSL ranges from 128 Kbps to 1.544 Mbps downstream to your computer. Upstream transfer from your computer is usually limited to 128 Kbps. Bandwidth is dedicated so you don’t have to share with other users, but DSL is also more effective the closer you are to service provider's facilities. If your local area has plenty of cable bandwidth available it may be a better option for those located greater distances from a DSL provider. Average monthly charges for DSL services are around $55-$65.

Verizon is one of the leading providers of high speed DSL service, with a large coverage area. With Verizon DSL you get a monthly package for $34.95 that includes unlimited access with a personalized home page, 9 e-mail accounts, and 10 megabytes of web space. For those customers with multiple computers in the home, there is a home networking option available. You can connect multiple home computers and laptops to a single high-speed DSL Internet connection at no additional monthly cost.

Earthlink DSL is another option. Their basic package, which includes the same features as Verizon’s offer also includes a free dial-up service which allows you to enjoy 20 hours of Internet access per month when you're away from home. This package typically costs $39.99 per month. Earthlink also offers cable and satellite Internet.

As noted, DSL uses copper telephone wires. Rural areas and some cities do not have these wires available for large volume use, which means that DSL is not yet an option in those areas, even if Verizon, Earthlink or another provider offers services there.

Cable

If you have cable TV available in your area, chances are that you have access to Internet through your cable provider. This service uses the same wires as your cable TV programming and depending on the provider and the area, there may be a good deal of bandwidth available or a more limited amount. Because users share bandwidth, this could be an issue for those living in areas with limited amounts available for Internet use. It is a good question to ask your cable provider before signing up. Your choice for cable Internet is typically limited to only those providers who offer cable TV in your area. On average, cable Internet does tend to be a bit faster than DSL. Service is often slightly less expensive than DSL, averaging around $45 per month.

Satellite

If you do not have DSL or cable Internet available in your area, satellite Internet may provide a viable option. Its speed is comparable to other high speed Internet services, its always on, and you have the option of adding satellite TV service. However, it requires that you have a clear view of the southern sky from your home anywhere in the continental United States in order to receive good reception from the satellites. The service is typically a good deal more expensive than the other two high speed options discussed, averaging around $100 per month with installation fees of up to $400.

Some people confuse satellite Internet with what’s known as WiFi. WiFi Internet services are actually provided by access nodes located in high traffic areas such as airports and hotel or through Internet cafes. If you have a laptop equipped with WiFi receiver, you can access services from within about 1000 feet of the node. There is typically a fee to use this service. It is a good idea for travelers but does not meet the need for home Internet use because it required the access node.

Although there are several satellite Internet providers, they all use similar technology. DirecTV is a popular provider because they are also a top satellite TV company. DirecTV satellite Internet service is delivered through a wholly owned subsidiary, DIRECWAY. DirecTV satellite Internet costs $99.99 per month and requires customers to purchase a satellite dish and modem. Installation is typically available from the distributor.

Comparisons

Consult a comparison chart such as the High Speed Internet Guide which should give you a fair idea of the speed and costs involved. However, it is important to note that the data transfer rates you can get from either DSL or Cable will depend entirely on whatever local providers are in your area.
C.J. Gustafson is a successful freelance writer for 1st-Dish-TV.net, a consumer guide for free satellite TV systems. She has spent hours of time researching cable, DSL service providers, and high speed satellite Internet service providers for her home office. She dreams one day attaching the satellite dish to her RV and spending the winters writing from wherever it's warmest that week

Permission is granted to publish this article on your site only if the author's byline is included and all links are hyperlinked.

Bleeding Edge or Expensive Enterprise Satellite Internet?

The State of Satellite Internet in 2005

For those businesses unable can't get T1, Cable or DSL internet service for less than half a year's Gross Profit, vsat (very small aperture terminal) satellite internet is about the only way to obtain decent internet speed. Over the last two years or so many companies have advertised about upcoming solutions to this issue...after all, the business internet industry is huge and growing by giant leaps each year and there are potential profits out there.

Let's take a look at what is currently available and what is on the way:

Available Ku Band Enterprise Systems

This is a "catch all" phrase covering the more expensive equipment and service offered by several large uplink comapnies. It is characterized by larger satellite dishes (typically 1.0 meter or larger), more powerful transmitters (at least 2 watts) and less populated transponders than the "residential" or "small business" setup's available from Direcway, Starband and Wildblue. The result is more consistent, faster service.....what most businesses expect.

There are two general avenues you can take regarding speed and throughput: Shared or dedicated bandwidth - and the difference in price is staggering. For most business applications, shared bandwidth (the less expensive choice) will work fine - giving a company 1.5 kbps downloads and 256 kbps uploads over 90% of the time for prices in the $400-$1500 range. The crucial element of ANY offering is the "contention ratio" - how much they oversell the product or the number of concurrent users they allow on a transponder. Any company that does not put the ratio in writing is not worth doing business with - period...and any company with a contention ratio above 20-1 is not offering you true Enterprise service. With dedicated service (Guaranteed speeds) you will spend over $1,900 per month (up to several thousand per month), but will have service that is nearly bulletproof.

The most tested and dependable Enterprise setup available today in N. America is centered around a modem designed by iDirect Technologies http://www.idirect.net. This is a proven system that will give you what you pay for.

Other systems are coming into the marketplace like the ViaSat Surfbeam DOCSIS setup and another DOCSIS product from Telnor; however, this is very new technology and certainly qualifies as "Bleeding Edge". Only three companies have the equipment to make it work right now and there are bumps in the road. Surfbeam and Telnor's big promise is a better utilization of available ku bandwidth, but no field results have confirmed this yet to my knowledge.

If it provides similar speeds during field testing, it will force iDirect to rethink modem pricing as the DOCSIS setup can be installed for about $500-$1,000 less.

Wireless and Satellite Internet Technology On The Horizon

The Satellite Internet world could be turned on it's head in the coming years as WIMAX emerges. It is a grand plan by Intel and others to cover very large areas of the world with a brand of microwave technology capable of sending data extremely fast to small antennas at homes and businesses. The big difference between WIFI and WIMAX is the distance covered by the main antenna.....the claim is 15-30 miles! Talk about bleeding edge....many of the "Big Boys" including Nokia and Cisco have abandoned plans to invest in it and speak of it as a bad business model to try to replace DSL. They point out that there are currently over 15 "standards" for the technology, not exactly a harmoneous start!

Ka band satellite internet for Enterprise has some real promise. The ability to "reuse" bandwidth, if the concept works, will enable companies to have T1 speeds or greater at any business location for much less than a T1 cost. A unit of SkyTerra Communications - the company managing Hughes Network Systems now, is working on advanced ka band spot beam technology to that end.

The greatest challange facing the satellite internet industry during the next 24 months is figuring out how to make profit.....in the absence of someone finding a business model that can show consistant profit, all of the transponder space allocated to internet will quickly be redeployed to HDTV or other types of profitable communication....bet on it!
Randy Scott has been involved in the bi-directional satellite internet industry from it’s beginning as a Sr. Sales Engineer, consultant and business owner. Randy is the founder of VSAT U.S., a consulting and sales organization, representing the most prestigious satellite internet providers in the America’s. For more information about current VSAT satellite internet offerings including Ka band, visit http://www.vsatus.com or email randy@vsatus.com