Satellite Internet Service Tips
When is satellite internet most often used?
Satellite internet service can be used:
- In areas where internet, cable or DSL are not available.
- For mobile users who can mount satellites to their vehicles (for example, company trucks or RVs.
- For dial-up users who want faster access to the internet.
- As a backup system for terrestrial-based internet access.
What is VSAT satellite internet?
VSAT stands for Very Small Aperture Terminal and is used to describe the equipment used for satellite internet. It typically consists of a transceiver or outdoor unit which sends is mounted on the roof and signals to the satellite. It also has an indoor device (often a special modem) which converts the data and sends it to the user's PC.
What questions should you ask when evaluating satellite internet service?
1. Does the satellite internet service provider have technical support? What kind (telephone, online, onsite)? Is it available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week?
2. What equipment is provided and what equipment do you have to purchase? How is the equipment mounted (if mounted on the roof, will penetrate the roof surface or will it be non-penetrating)?
3. What is the company's reliability percentage? Does it include or exclude weather-related outages. Satellite internet can have a high reliability (especially when weather-related outages are ignored). Because the internet satallite network does not require as many physical fault points (wires, routers, etc.), it can often be more quickly fixed if an outage does occur.
4. What speeds are provided up (to the satellite) and down (from the satellite? Speeds can range from T1 line speed on down. Typically the upload speeds are lower than the download speeds. Latency is another factor which can affect the speed of the transmission. Latency is the delay caused because the data must travel large distances out to the orbiting satellite (which are located about 23,000 miles above the equator) and back. Most common internet activities are not adversely affected by latency (email, surfing and browsing, etc.) however, internet gaming is generally not recommended because of the delay.
5. How many computers can be connected to one satellite? How are they connected (for example, do you need to set up a wireless network in your home to use additional computers)?
6. Does the satellite internet service include VoIP (voice over internet protocol) so you can use your satellite connection as a phone?
7. What is the additional cost to add a receiver for your television channels?
8. Do you sign a contract, and how long is the contract? What are the penalties if you must break the contract?
9. Are you located in the coverage area?
10. How long does it take from order to installation?
11. If your satellite internet service is for a business, how scalable is your service? For example, how much additional fees will be required to add 1, 5, 10 or even 100 more computers to your satellite internet service?
12. What service plans are available, at what speed and how much monthly throughput do you have?
Be sure the research the different internet satellite service providers to determing which providers will provide you with the best combination of speed, reliability and pricing.