Rural High Speed Internet

[MikePA]

Oh yeah, someone mentioned that satelite is fast one way (downloading?) but slow the other way. This person said the slow way is actually over the phone line so it still ties that up. True?

It was true the last time I looked into satellite Internet.

Satellite Internet also used to have, maybe they still do, Fair Access Policy. This means they watch how much people download and if someone is a bandwidth hog, they throttle them back for a certain period of time. (They get FAPped) For the typical web surfer, this isn't a big deal, but if someone wants to download lots of music or especially videos, satellite internet isn't for them.

Wildblue is satellite based.

 

[Podunkadunk]

I do use VPN for work (spoiled with high end service here and wifi on the laptop). We're supposed to get BPL (Broadband over Power Lines) but I don't want to wait that long.


Oh yeah, someone mentioned that satelite is fast one way (downloading?) but slow the other way. This person said the slow way is actually over the phone line so it still ties that up. True?

VPN- if you ever plan on working from home, don't go HughesNet.

One way fast downloading- With Satellite there is what they call "latency". In a nutshell, it's the time it takes to bounce back and forth to the satellite. Sometimes it hangs up a little, but even on a bad, miserable day it will seem to blaze compared to 56k dialup. Also and this is very important...there are extremely slow times downloading and uploading. This is because there are but so many satellites up there orbiting, but there are thousands of users...and more signing on every day. I don't think they are launching satellites daily, or weekly, heck even monthly! So, you see where I'm going.

Phone line...NO! Phone line attachment is there for a backup only (satellite service goes down). I had HughesNet in late 2006 and early 2007. I never even had a phone line plugged into the unit!
Podunk

 

[Podunkadunk]

Satellite Internet also used to have, maybe they still do, Fair Access Policy. This means they watch how much people download and if someone is a bandwidth hog, they throttle them back for a certain period of time. (They get FAPped) For the typical web surfer, this isn't a big deal, but if someone wants to download lots of music or especially videos, satellite internet isn't for them.

This is true (well this was true as of March of 2007 when I ended my contract with them)! Hughes.net will cut you off if you try to download anything over 100mb. You will be disconnected for just long enough that you'll lose your download. But, like MikePA said, most people don't worry about that problem. I work from home and move large files on a regular basis.

Podunk

 

[DANOCHEESE]

""" It is my responsibility to keep my kids safe from it.
When a internet company does it though it's going too far.""""

Can you come talk to my customers for me. I just had my butt chewed by a lady cause she got the latest male organ enhancer email. We stop about 100,000 junk emails a day now. a few slip by and she got the wrong one.

I know her husband I will have to tell him she thinks he does'nt need any enhancmenets. My butt does now after she chewed on it.

 

[jimg]

When we looked at Hughes their contract stated after a certain amt of data had been passed (forget the #) they throttle you back to a slower speed for the remainder of the month. As for Cingular, if you can get their signal, I bet they also have a monthly data cap. So, while they dont charge / byte they will start charging once youve reached the monthly limit. Verizon charges by the minute (.45 I think) after youve exceeded their cap. W/ them the charges sky rocket whether youve passing data or not.

 

[Jimbrown]

You need to look into EVDO it is far better than satellite if you can get it.
Look here Coverage & Speed

Most of the info you are getting on Hughes net is also not correct.
HughesNet Customer Care - Fair Access Policy FAQs

HughesNet UPGRADES & OFFERS

Wild blue has stopped taking new customers in many areas you would have to contact them to find out if it is available.

Wifi is another option if available Look here.
Broadband Wireless Exchange Magazine

You can read much about hughes here and if you lookat the top of the page for 'Other satelite" and "wildblue" you can read about them also. I would advise against one way satelite but some seem to like it. Hughes and wildblue are 2 way, no telephone required.

HughesNet Satellite forum - dslreports.com broadband community

 

[MossRoad]

Rob,
I'll be in the same boat if we ever build. There just isn't anything out there but regular phone service so I will be looking into satellite, cell and wireless.

I have a friend that lives outside of Cassopolis. I believe they have wild blue. I will ask and let you know. It is satellite. The service has to set it up for you because it is a transmitter.

As for celular service, someone sells a device that you stick your mobile card into and it becomes a wireless access point for your house. Then you wouldn't have to wire anything, just buy wireless adapters for any PCs on your house. It is worth checking into. I think the one service I saw was from Sprint, but I haven't check in years.

 

[MossRoad]

This is true (well this was true as of March of 2007 when I ended my contract with them)! Hughes.net will cut you off if you try to download anything over 100mb. You will be disconnected for just long enough that you'll lose your download. But, like MikePA said, most people don't worry about that problem. I work from home and move large files on a regular basis.

Podunk

You could use a download manager that would pick back up where it left off. I had that back when I was using dial-up and had to disconnect to answer the phone. Worked well.

 

[dooleysm]

Even broadband ISPs will throttle your usage. Transferring lots of videos around will do it, according to a buddy of mine. We just have dialup and satellite available at our house. I've looked into satellite, but am not willing to pay the high monthly rates, much less the initial equipment/installation costs.

Verizon is supposed to be bringing ISDN to most of rural Indiana by the end of the year. I've read some articles on it throughout the year and I've recently seen signs up around our county advertising ISDN. I called the number and it was just a recording saying that it was on the way and to call back later.

 

[Podunkadunk]

You could use a download manager that would pick back up where it left off. I had that back when I was using dial-up and had to disconnect to answer the phone. Worked well.

Yeah, I was considering that option when they sent me a letter saying DSL was now available to my part of the boonies and I swapped over.