Satellite based broadband outside U.S.

[Yihaa]

Has anybody tried using Starband or Direcway(directPC) outside the country? I mean bringing their hardware (
including the dish and modem) with them to, say, South America and made it work?

 

[ScottMac]

They may not be licensed to operate outside of the US (OTOH, they might be, I don't know).

There may also be technical issues with broadband data outside the US. It will depend on how the satellite is "aimed," and how the transponders are rigged.

INMARSAT systems (like the MagnaPhone) are usually OK, because it's "a phone," and was designed and licensed for maritime use.

There are a number of systems for terrestrial INMARSAT, all of them that I know of are primarily voice with some limited data subsystems (up to 64K), some will also do FAX.

There are also VSAT and USAT data systems that will operate in most countries. VSAT would be a system like Walgreen's uses (used to use?). VSAT systems can be handle up to multi-megabit throughput, but typically run asymetrically with ~384 down / 128 up. The providers may allow short increases in bandwidth (a phone call to "control" at least an hour or two before you need it) for things like video-teleconferencing.

Rates (last time I looked): INMARSAT - ~US$5.00 per connection, ~$1-2 a minute. VSAT/USAT is a signup charge, and metered by the KiloByte, usually with some amount allowed as part of the monthly charge...something like $5000.00 to sign up/set up, and $800.00 a month which includes 20 Meg of data, and $1.00 per Kilobyte after that.

I'm sure the rates have changed since the last time I looked; I haven't been following it like I used to.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[Yihaa]

I know Starband is based on technology by Gilat ( an Israeli company) and they are pretty much international.
Starband uses the same satellites as Gilat so theoretically, it can be used anywhere besides the U.S.

 

[wedi42]

two problems
the equipment must be installed by a FCC certified installer
the satellite is over the equator, but angled in a way thats its aimed at the US

 

[Yihaa]

The installation is no problem. Just have them install it at your house, then take the dish down or buy another dish
then just take the satellite modem with you with the extra dish.
Direcway now has service in Hawaii and Alaska. An Indian friend of mine took his DishNetwork dish to
India and he got satellite TV over there. I know its different form satellite internet but it seems like it could be done.
Direcway has more than one satellite for Ineternet access, Starband (Gilat) probably has even more.