Satellite Internet Provider
If you are jumping on to the satellite internet craze, you will need to evaluate your options when choosing your satellite internet provider. Competition is high among the biggest three providers (WildBlue, StarBand, and HughesNet), so pricing and options remains fairly stable in respect to one another; however, there are important things to consider otherwise.
First, do you want a two way or one way connection? A two-way connection is most likely what you are after, as one-way connections are generally down stream data only (that is, downloads), relying on other means to send data upstream. Although there are a few benefits to one-way connections, this focuses primarily on two-way connections, or connections that allow both uploads and downloads.
There are a few differences to keep in mind between satellite internet and satellite TV. First and foremost: the dish is different. With satellite TV, you can generally rely on getting a stock dish and install it yourself; although it is possible to install the proprietary dishes yourself, they remain proprietary: you can't go to your local hardware store and get a generic solution. Installation, however, is largely the same: the dish needs to point nearly exactly to the satellite, which is locked in geosynchronous orbit with the earth (in other words, the satellite in space orbits Earth relative to the rotation of Earth, keeping the satellite "in place"). Much like satellite TV, it is possible to take your computer and dish with you and gain access nearly anywhere you would like within the 48 contiguous states.
The differences between service providers is another consideration. Each one adapts slightly different technology, although this is rendered invisible by the average user, such that it's not much to worry about. However, each comes at a price. Normally, there is an upfront fee, plus a monthly fee. The upfront fee is the only real kicker, costing anywhere between $500 and $1000. The monthly fees vary between provider: Bandwidth is such an important consideration with satellites that the monthly fee is almost always dependent on the amount of bandwidth used. There are exceptions to this rule, of course. Check out the major providers for detailed information on installation and monthly fees.
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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