Hi Speed Satellite Internet

05/22/2003 | TMMT

[Major Matt Mason]

Good luck with the satellite internet service. I don't have any solid advice for you, but I hope it works out for you.

For those who are still using a modem to connect, I highly recommend downloading Proxyconn, which enhances the speed of your modem. Several of the pages I visit that used to DL slowly (including FR) now do so much quicker, sometimes at blazing speed that reminds me of a broadband connection. For instance, my current reading is 174 kbps, which is pretty darn good for a supposedly pokey 56k modem.

There is the occasional hiccup where it seems like the speed is no better than what it normally would have been with just the modem, but, for the most part, I am very pleased with this little app. The other caveat I would offer is that it does not enhance all downloading, so you may not be able to get your MP3s any faster (I've never used it for gaming, though).

If you have a dialup connection that costs less than $10 a month, you can use this service for less than $15 total, including your ISP's monthly charge. It isn't for everyone, of course, but it is great for those who simply surf the web with the use of a modem.

And no, I don't work for the company!

[DeFault User]

If you've got or can get a network connection for your laptop, I don't see why not.

See this link:

http://www.nationwidesatellite.com/highspeed.asp#dw

[abner]

I was in the same boat. Our house is isolated from everyone, the phone equipment is old and our driveway is about 1200 feet long. The dial up connection I had was incredibly slow if I could stay connected. Cable has never been an option for us because of the length of our driveway. We have had DirecTV for 6 years and don't miss cable TV at all.

For our anniversary, I asked VOC for satellite internet... He said, "No." and then surprised me with it. He is such a wonderful guy...

Anyway, it is abundantly faster than the dialup. I also only get disconnected when there is nasty weather. Even the 30" of snow wasn't too bad. It isn't as fast as the cable modem I have at work but it is wonderful compared to what I had.

The new equipment from DirecTV is 2 way so it does both uploads and downloads.
I keep the dial up for emergency outages and use it at work with the cable modem too.

But, as a rule, I will never go back to dial up. You will be happy with satellite internet.

Really.

[DeFault User]

USB connection with satellite also.

[DeFault User]

This site is mainly directed at DSL users but the tweaks and tips will work for cable:

http://www.dslreports.com/stest

[general_re]

I just have one question: what happens when it rains or snows or there is a heavy dew?? We have SAT TV and we seem to lose it whenever the weather threatens. Does internet work on the same principle?

"Heavy dew"? ;)

Anyway, satellite internet will do the same thing - it's a result of the frequency that's being used, which is the same range for both satellite internet and DSS TV. Rain fade is just one of those things you have to deal with when you're broadcasting in the Ku band.

[Radioactive]

Here is the real scoop.....

Satellite is great if no cable is available.

There is a lapse due to the fact that Satellites are 22500 miles out.Back and forth and you get a lapse.

When playing games on the internet, you cannot keep current enough if you are playing against someone on cable.

Downloads are slightly slower due to a slower speed available on the birds.

When it comes down to it, here is my list....

1. T-1 Line

2. Cable

3.Satellite

4. DSL

And you notice I did not include 56k Modem. ....I'd never go back

[Wolverine]

I use Time Warner Road Runner Cable.

Fetch and test here:

http://webservices.cnet.com/bandwidth/

 

Connection Type		Connection Speed	Faster Providers
	28.8 Kbps		Dial-up 28.8k
	33.6 Kbps		Dial-up 33.6k
	53.3 Kbps		Dial-up 56k
	128 Kbps		ISDN 128k
	384 Kbps		DSL/Cable 384k
	768 Kbps		DSL/Cable 768k
	1500 Kbps		Cable/DSL 1.5Mbps
	2071 Kbps - Me		2071 kbps

[Sonny M]

apparently its for fixed comps only.

Actually, I asked the wrong question, long story short, how can I can internet access everywhere I go, on my laptop, without being beholden to being forced to be in a wi-fi zone. I want to be able to go whereever I want and use my laptop to access the net.

[gaelwolf]

I use Direcway two-way satellite servce, since we are in the country where DSL isn't going to happen, and where the cable is too far from us. There are multiple tiers of service, starting at about $60 per month. Pay more, get more speed, and so forth.

When you get too much weather between your dish and the satellite, your signal will degrade, sometimes to the point where you won't be able to stay connected. For those occasions, we still have the modem and local ISP account.

Speeds are decent, and I'm not going back.

[UpToHere]

I agree with post #30. I switched from ISDN to satellite, DirectPC two-way, about a year ago. I would never switch back but would consider T1 if I had the money.

[Grim]

I think satellite is as fast as DSL, maybe not as fast as cable.

I had DishNetwork Satellite broadband for about 2 years. Same as you, living out in the country, off-the-grid. Speeds would vary a lot but generally Satellite was 3x faster than ISDN. DSL is significantly faster but if it's not available, who cares?

The major drawback, for me, was I had to get a Windows Machine as a gateway (all my other computers are Macs).

I finally moved to town and got dsl. But for the money, satellite's your best solution out in the woods.

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

Thanks guys,

Anything would be an improvement over my current speed, at present I’m connected at a mind numbing 24000 bps, last night all I could muster was 21600 bps.

The only regret I have (so far) was the price, $800.00 installed. It’s $70.00/mth, if I had my choice I would have gone cable in a heartbeat.

I’ll post my finding to this thread once it’s installed and I’ve had a day or so to test it out.

TMMT

[DeFault User]

I want to be able to go whereever I want and use my laptop to access the net.

I found one solution that's not elegant but it works. I subscribed to cable internet (Time-Warner connection) through Earthlink instead of Road Runner. The Earthlink advantage was that you got unlimited dialup anywhere in the country as well as the high speed cable at home. Road Runner only offered one hour dialup free. Some other services are so much per hour dialup apart from the cable or DSL connection. I believe Earthlink also offers the same deal for DSL.

[elephantlips]

For so long I have wondered why so little is said about the spelling on FR. It is atrocious! I do not know what the percentage of misspelling is but it is high and the allowance for typos doesn't cover it. I have never said anything until now for fear of flamming but...

[WaterDragon]

"flamming"???????

[DeFault User]

Flamming: (gerund) to roast in one's own juice (combination of flame and flambé)

[daylate-dollarshort]

Satellite is fast only in ONE direction. You download over the sat but upload via your phone line and ISP.

[RedWhiteBlue]

but the download speed has never changed - so it doesn't seem that traffic demands are the problem. As an installer, do you (or any other Freepers) have any suggestions for improving download speeds? Thanks!

I used the advise on this thread: Cable Modem & DSL Tuning Tips, Tricks & Software For FR Users. I can't remember which link I used to tweak my settings, but it boosted my download speeds tremendously (in the range of double to triple). I'm on cable.

[WaterDragon]

Thanks.