Vanity: Need advice on satellite internet connections

Starwind | 7/22/02 | Starwind

[Starwind]

I've seen you folks post on other internet topics. Maybe you could ping others who might have some knowledge?

Thanks for any help.

[Types_with_Fist]

Satellite is a good idea. The problem is that every single company is straight from the pit of Hell. Good luck!

[Starwind]

Please advise if possible, or please ping other's who might help?

Thanks

[EBUCK]

It's very expensive for the equipment and the monthly fee is in the 35-40 dollar range, in my area, that is. I've never used it but I hear that it is fairly reliable and speedy as all get out. I'm sure that atmospherics can raise havoc with the connection too.

EBUCK

[Starwind]

What company/vendor have you heard that about?

[Registered]

Hehehehe.

[EBUCK]

I have Dish-Network, the only company that is allowed to sell in my rural area (some fed restriction crap to prop up the cable co's out here). What is your ol-ma's zip code and I'll do a little research for ya.

EBUCK

[Dog Gone]

The downloads are speedy, weather permitting, but your uploads are through your slow telephone line. When they fix that stupid problem, it will be something to consider.

[Starwind]

My mother lives in Table Rock Ne, 68447, area code 402 covers the whole state.

I appreciate any help, and any links.

[New Horizon]

These StarBand fellas have a two-way solution...but I think they filed for Chapter 11 recently.

[Starwind]

but your uploads are through your slow telephone line

I certainly would also like a heads up on "gothca's" I wouldn't have expected.

[HAL9000]

Grrrrr... Don't get me started....

[EBUCK]

You have some horror stories to offer here? Sounds like you may be a good source of info before g-ma puts her money on the table.

EBUCK

[general_re]

DirecPC from Hughes does two-way satellite also, and has done for some time.

Older thread with advice/info about Hughes/DirecPC - skimming it quickly, it still looks to be up-to-date and accurate. The three main problems with two-way satellite are the latency, the usage caps, and the expense. It's horribly expensive to get set up and running - someone mentioned $35-$40 a month, but unless they've radically cut prices recently, DirecPC is around $70 a month, plus several hundred dollars up front for the equipment.

[Dog Gone]

That's the solution that's required. Too bad they went belly-up.

[EBUCK]

LINK For pricing from Star-Band (which may be in trouble if previous poster has it right) which is the service provider. Here are some NE retailers for your G-Ma if she wants to get the info from the horses mouth

ZAGER ANTENNA 810 NORTH 48TH STREET
LINCOLN, NE
888-818-6997

DAUBS FURNITURE
1014 CENTRAL AVE
AUBURN, NE
402-274-3933

SEEBA HARDWARE & TV
124 W MAIN
COOK, NE
402-864-4161

COUNTRY CABLE
1709 CHASE
FALLS CITY, NE
402-245-2386

SCHAEFERS INC
360 N 48TH ST
LINCOLN, NE
402-464-8888

I think we should hear HAL9000 before any more advise is offered.

EBUCK

[general_re]

Well, here's Hughes current special offer - told you it was expensive ;)

[general_re]

I'll be darned - if that's Starband's current pricing, DirecPC is actually a little cheaper. Probably the first time Hughes has been cheaper than anyone for anything ;)

[Starwind]

At the risk of getting you started on what may be a painful topic, I would appreciate any feedback you may have on some of the suppliers suggested (as well as others you may be aware of), even bad feedback, if and when convenient.