Satellite Internet
Searching for an alternative to wireline services? Need a backup Internet circuit? Satellite Internet provides an alternative to expensive fiber builds and Internet access in remote areas. Check service availability and pricing for your locations. Call 877-708-8900 to speak with an expert.
A satellite Internet connection is an arrangement in which the upstream (outgoing) and the downstream (incoming) data are sent from, and arrive at, a computer through a satellite. Each subscriber’s hardware includes a satellite dish antenna and a transceiver (transmitter/receiver) that operates in the microwave portion of the radio spectrum.
In a two-way satellite Internet connection, the upstream data is usually sent at a slower speed than the downstream data arrives. Thus, the connection is asymmetric. A dish antenna, measuring about two feet high by three feet wide by three feet deep, transmits and receives signals. Uplink speeds are nominally 50 to 150 Kbps for a subscriber using a single computer. The downlink occurs at speeds ranging from about 150 Kbps to more than 1200 Kbps, depending on factors such as Internet traffic, the capacity of the server, and the sizes of downloaded files.
Benefits of Satellite Internet
Satellite Internet is an excellent, although rather pricey, option for businesses in rural areas where Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and cable modem connections are not available. A satellite installation can be used even where the most basic utilities are lacking, if there is a generator or battery power supply that can produce enough electricity to run a desktop computer system. The two-way satellite Internet option offers an always-on connection that bypasses the dial-up process.
Global Coverage
This is the most significant advantage of using satellite links – coverage at any location on Earth. A single satellite in the geostationary orbit can cover distances as large as whole oceans or continents. This wide area coverage makes high-speed Internet access from remote locations quick and easy. It is also possible to connect many remote locations spread across large distances through a secure private link.
High-Speed Access
The first thing you would notice about satellite Internet is Speed. Most satellite Internet providers can provide multi megabit speeds which can be sometimes faster than terrestrial options. If the options available are limited, such as dial-up or unreliable/slow DSL, satellite is the clear winner.
Cost-Effective
It costs anywhere between $10,000- $100,000 to lay a mile of fiber in an unserved location. In addition to the high investment, it may take several months to complete the fiber deployment and make it available to individual locations. If you do not have access to reliable terrestrial connectivity, satellite is the most cost-effective means of high-speed Internet access.
Location Independent
Having a broadband connection at any location is great, the advantage of taking it anywhere is even better. Internet via satellite is possible through fixed and mobile equipment. The end user location is connected to the Internet as long as the VSAT dish has a clear line of sight (i.e. a clear view of the southern sky).