Anyone have experiences with satellite internet?

[kerokeroppi82]

SBC DSL keeps on going down where I work, and since cable isn't offered here yet, the only other option we have is satellite internet. I've been looking around online and they all look the same, and since no one I know have tried to use satellite, maybe someone here has more experience with it? What compaines are good and is it stable for buisness use? Thanks!

 

[WTT0001]

I install DirecWay systems so PM me with any ???s.

(1) DWay should be a last resort (Major latency (around 600 - 1200ms) and slow upload (Dialup speeds, 20 - 60kbps))
(2) Check with your local Telephone Co. and see if you can get DSL directly from them (unless SBC is your local Co.)
(3) That being said, Dway does have a decent download speed (120+ KBps/800-1000kbps) is easy to network (CE gives you 5 ip addys, Pro gives you one routeable one + a static IP), downside is cost ($599 (or more for the equipment + Installation) +$60 a month for the CE or $90 a month for Pro.
(4) It is decently stable for buisness use (not 100% but close, it is affected by weather though)

LMK if you have more ???s

WTT

 

[Rage187]

I had starband up at the lake: it was teh suq.

 

[slackerinabox]

I had direcDuo.. Downloads were fast for long files but browsing the web was sometimes slower than dial up (the latency was a major pain).. I'd rather use sucky DSL compared to sat. internet

 

[kerokeroppi82]

thx for the advice

 

[amdskip]

Yup, internet browsing seems slower than dialup at times and its just a major pain.

 

[vi edit]

To echo everyone else, I have to also say that it is beyond aweful.

We actually went back to Dial up because the 1000+ ping times prevented us from even being able to use the internet connection for our needs.

 

[Azoth]

Looks like I a a bit late to the party, but I was the idiotic owner of a StarBand system when it first went public...

How does the old addage go? a fool and his money...

Needless to say, the speed was reasonable for the first week, then as the subscriber base rose the speed plummeted drastically.

After about a year, all of the bugs were worked out and it was running reasonable (about the average speed of ISDN) then they decided it was time to demand everyone return the functioning modem and be free testers for the new and improved model 360...

The model 360 left a lot to be desired, such as the ability to stay connected if a mosquito broke wind within a 30 mile radius...

The only way to network it at the time with a reasonable stable connection was using ICS... again, a hassle.

They have now released yet another "new and improved" modem, the model 460, with a built in 4 port router... reports on it are quite grave.

This Site has forms and a chat room regarding getting the most out of a StarBand system, but in all honesty, a bad DSL line is better than a good StarBand connection.

For that matter, a bad dial-up line is better than a good StarBand connection...

Just my 2 pesos...