Satellite Internet Connection
We have all heard of DSL, cable, wireless, and dial up connections. But did you know that there is also the possibility of having a satellite internet connection? Of course, it seems logical: not everyone has access to a phone or cable line, or internet hotspots to connect with wirelessly. In our cozy consumer culture, it's easy to forget that people all over the world (from Greenland, to the Sahara, to Antarctica) use satallite to connect to the internet. This is, of course, very cool; you may be wondering if you can get connection via satellite yourself.
The answer is yes, with caveats. There are a couple of consumer options, but the largest ones are two way connections with a fixed satellite dish and a portable solution, which does not always need a dish. If you plan on travelling much, and have lots of money to spare, a portable option would be your thing. If you just want to try something different at home, aside from the usual DSL or cable options, then the fixed satellite will work better.
Fixed satellite is by far the cheaper of the two, and like all connections require an installation cost and monthly fee. These tend to be, in cost, well in excess of any other option (save for portable satellite). The connection is fairly fast, with a bandwidth usually not exceeding 1.5 megabits per second. Because the connection is subject to interference, dropped packets are more likely to occur, so the connection may appear slower. There is also a bandwidth cap, to encourage fair share of the satellite.
The other option, portable satellite, is rather pricy. The modems act as the dish itself, although it's actually a flat box with indications on how best to point it into the sky; they are rather expensive, though, so watch out. They can range in price from $1000 to $4000. The kicker is the cost of bandwidth, which are usually at a minimum of $5 per megabyte. Their speed is typically between 144 kilobits per second up to 500 kilobits per second. But does that mean a satellite internet connection isn't worth it? If you aren't moving much, maybe not. But if you're travelling in areas without access where you need to be connected, there really is no other option.
Quick Tip #1
The view of the sky from your house might affect if you can get a good transmission with a satellite dish. If a tall building is in between your house and the part of sky where the satellite is, you may have to get cable. |
Quick Tip #2
If you live in a remote area, the cable company might not service your area. Call your local cable provider to find out. |
Quick Tip #3
The quality of cable vs satellite TV can vary depending on your provider. Also, the image quality might be updated soon for the service you provide. Do the research to determine which option is best for you.
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