Sattelite High Speed Connection?

[Jay]

I might be moving to a place that <gasp> doesn't have cable and there is no DSL option. Need to find an alternative high-speed connection. I've heard things like 2 way sattelite for Internet connection. Can anyone give me some pointers on where to look for the best deals/quality.

THanks

 

[zaph]

Only 2 players in that game as far as I know, direcpc , and starband.
Both soak you up front for the equip, but direcpc lowered thier equip from 699.00 to 399.00 not too long ago.

Both have a tight lock on the retailers who sell thier equipment, so not much in the way of price variations.
I believe that service is around 70.00/month for either service. 1mbit down 128k up ( I think).

 

[BGod]

Jay, We've got DSL in North Dakota now. hehe

You might get better upload speed by shotgunning a pair of dial up modems. Two way satellite just started this year and still needs time to mature. The only problem is that Direct-PC (Hughes/General Electric) does not have as much competition as DSL and cable providers so the prices are going to stay high for some time to come.

The other thing Hughes won't talk about up front is their F.A.P. policy (Fair Access Policy). If you start a download, you'll have all kinds of speed, when they feel that you're getting too much, boom, an algorhythem kicks in and cuts your speed. I actually got Bill & Alice from Computer Shopper to mention this point a few years back in one of their articles on broadband choices.

I wish you, the misses and all the kids well on your big move!

 

[Merlin15]

There are 2 sites on the web to check out, one is "www.directway.com" and the other
is "www.directpc.com" To contact Directway br telephone the # is 1-866-819-0168. I have
looked into this as well, but know this fact, if you do go to the bidirectional system to upload
and download, it will have to be installed by a qualified FCC rep due to the system being a
microwave transmitter. Hope this helps.

Merlin15

 

[ViRGE]

Jay, also realize that with Sattelite, your pings will be too high to play UT or other online games, so you'd be SOL there.

 

[Jay]

ViRGE,

I've not played any online games in a while, so no worries there.

Jay

 

[ViRGE]

*defenstrates Jay*

 

[RustyNale]

Here's a satellite site for you. Sorry dude to hear you're "slowing" down

 

[micron]

I just had my Classi DirecPC (One Way) upgraded to the new DirecWay (Two Way). Yes, there is some latency, but I can't get cable or dls. The download speed is awesome, I get 1600k sometimes better on the dslreports test, the upload is a little slow but I don't really care. All I can say is that it's a LOT better than 56K modem!

 

[cakin]

My two way directpc averages 33K up 1800K down. Keep your download under 60 meg an hour and you will do OK.
There are a few download managers that allow you to control your ftp speed.

 

[Poof]

Jay - you might want to pop over to DSLR's forums. They have one for Satellite discussions here.

 

[Chipster22]

Fixed Wireless is becoming available in many rural areas. I just got it here last month from an antenna on top of our local grain elevator. I'm getting sub 100ms pings and over 700kbps although only 256kbps is guaranteed.

[Edit] DTNSpeed Net is my provider.

 

[htmlmasterdave]

I wish they would all do Canada too Atleast starband is looking at coming to Canada

 

[ProviaFan]

I'm in rural IN, and Satelite is the only option (and it's too expensive). Fixed wireless (burstable to T1 both ways for $40/month) would be available, if it weren't for two f*cking huge hills between my house and the antenna, which btw is about 6 miles away.