Sarah Freeland asked:




Satellite broadband internet access is slowly grabbing a larger share of the internet market. The services offered by satellite internet are comparable to land based broadband internet services, however, satellite internet service is more widely available because it is delivered via satellite instead of via a landlocked cable system. The three most popular satellite broadband internet service providers are WildBlue, HughesNet and StarBand. Each of these service providers can help you get linked up, but each provider has limitations on what they can deliver and who they can serve.

WildBlue is the youngest of the top three satellite broadband Internet providers. In order to access their services you will need a computer that operates on Windows 2000, Windows Vista, Window XP or Mac OS 10.4 or higher. After placing your order a technician will call you to set up a time to install your satellite and equipment. The installation process will take between 2 and 3 hours, but it will be well worth the wait. After you are connected you will be able to upload as quickly as 256 Kbps and you will be able to download at speeds up to 1.5Mbps. However, speeds are not guaranteed and they can be retarded during poor weather and peak hours.

HughesNet is another satellite internet service provider. They have many of the same system requirements and installation requirements as WildBlue have. The FCC requires satellite systems that can send and receive data to be installed by specially trained and certified technicians. This is why HughesNet provides installation costs in their equipment package prices. After your system is set up you will be able to upload at an average speed of 75 Kbps, and you will be able to download at speeds that range between 700 Kbps and 1.5 Mbps depending on what service package you select.

HughesNet’s services are intended for stationary hosts. This means that it is not an appropriate choice for RVs, boats and trucks. However, if you are interested in mobile internet service then you can contact one of HughesNet’s partners that do offer mobile internet service like MotoSat, Ground Control and MobilSat.

StarBand is the third major satellite internet service provider. This service, like HughesNet, is designed only for stationary hosts. To access the internet with StarBand you will need Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional, Mac OSX, a CD-Rom drive and a free Ethernet port. StarBand offers its services to the continental U.S as well as Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, in order to receive the signal in the non-continental areas you will need a larger satellite dish, a larger satellite mount and a stronger LNB signal receiver.

Sarah Freeland asked:




The first step to compare in choosing and internet service provider is to learn about the high speed advantages of satellite internet service. Satellite internet is definitely the choice for you if you are looking for amazing bandwidth and connection speed. The actual connection speeds will vary by the service provider. Services that use VAST Systems will generally offer you about a 512 KPS upload and a 2 MBPS download. Services that offer other types of satellite linking system offer a variety of connection speeds based on the service package that you choose. For example HughesNet offers high-speed internet service in home, professional, small office and business Internet packages. Their upload speeds are 128, 200, 300 and 500 KBPS. These packages also offer download speeds of 700 KBPS, 1 MBPS, 1.5 MBPS and 2 MBPS.

The next step in compare cable and satellite internet service is to learn what makes cable internet service inferior to satellite service. The first big difference is that cable internet generally has a slower average connection speed than satellite internet. Secondly it does not offer you the mobility that satellite does. Next it is difficult to find cable internet service in rural areas. Finally it offers a lower bandwidth than satellite.

The third step to compare internet service is to learn what drawbacks satellite service has. The first drawback to satellite internet is that you will need two modems in order to both upload data and download data to the World Wide Web. The second drawback is that weather can impair your ability to connect to the WWW.