Satellite Internet questions....

[Freddy_Ballgame]

I'm currently researching the viability of satellite internet service. Have any of you ever used HughesNet or the internet services provided by DishNetwork? I live in a rather rural area and I'm sick of dial-up and the total lack of ability to up or download anything in a timely fashion. Any experiences you can share? Good, or bad, I need to get something done or I'll go berserk!
Berserk.....I like that word! It's about as cool as rampage!

[bravos4evr]

I have heard they are fast but kinda pricey.... google hughes net reviews and see what folks be saying freddy!

[-Dr. Brave-]

I think it would be cheaper to move to Japan.

[Freddy_Ballgame]

I have checked online prices. It looks like I could get service for two computers at their middle speed for around $69.99 a month. That's only a bit higher than paying for a seperate landline and internet provider services. Actually, it's about the same. It's possible a local company could beat that....

[bravos4evr]

hmmm it's gotten much cheaper, it seems like I looked into that when I lived in the country in Maryland back around 2001 and it was like $200 a month or something. Yeah at that price, I would say go for it, but compare their speeds first!

[Braves N 10]

I had hughes net and liked it, but recently found Wild Blue and it is 10 dollars a month cheaper than huges net. Wild blue claims that they are faster, but i think they are the same. The one thing that I like about wild blue over hughes net is that If i download a movie it does not slow down my speed like hughes net did. They are both good services but I would not go back to Hughes net.

[Freddy_Ballgame]

Thanks guys....I believe that the internet service provided through Dish Network, which I'm already on, is supplied by Wild Blue. That's looking more and more like the way to go. I believe they offer options to buy or lease....we lease now so they have to keep our system working. They do this and are quick about it!
Any other ideas?

[-Dr. Brave-]

Is DSL service available in your area?

My dad in Greenville recently switched from Charter to (AT&T?) DSL internet service, and I was shocked to learn that it's actually faster than the cable internet service he had before.

[Freddy_Ballgame]

No, DSL isn't available. I've had several run-ins with AT&T over that and the ridiculous charges for my cell phone. I'm rather fed up with them. They try and explain why my bill cannot be changed or lowered....they've got that spittle down pat....what they can't do is explain why I have to pay so much per month and my cell phone doesn't even get a signal where I live! Each month when I send in a check it usually says "ROBBERS!" on the line after my account number....just thinking about them makes me want to go chimp on Ma Bell!

[Freddy_Ballgame]

Can any of you mods tell me if internet supplied by Wild Blue, via Dish Network would run into any trouble accessing this site? Some of the web groups I'm in have problems with different providers.

[Agent-X-]

Freddy,

As far as I know, there shouldn't be any problems. As long as your ISP is a dependable. We're just one out of billions of web sites on the web. Nothing special about the setup.

[Agent-X-]

Wow, they are pricey. These people are clearly not competing with cable or DSL and are taking advantage of rural residents. Their prices aren't all that much more, though, than what my ghetto cable company was jacking me for on a 1.5 Mbps connection.

That said, I made the jump to DSL at 10 Mbps for $39.95/month on an introductory offer. Freddy, surely one of these companies has an introductory discount you can hit them up for. Just a suggestion.

[Freddy_Ballgame]

The base price is $49.95...I'll probably start there and see if it's sufficient.

[Braves N 10]

That is the one that I have is the 49.95 one, and I am satisifed but might go faster. I have had no problems going to any site on the net.

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

a few things you should be aware of with satellite internet.

Your upload is still via phoneline, so it will be no faster than your current dial-up. Not a big deal for most people, but if you upload frequently or play games those areas will not improve.

Depending on the waether your speed will vary. Clouds, precipitation, or even barometric pressure abnormalities can cause it to fritz out.

They normally, but not always, try adn stick you with a big contract and a rediculous termination fee like the phone company does with your cell phone.

Depending on the terain around your house it may not even work at all.




Overall, it sucks compared to DSL or cable but if it's your only option and you don't mind paying 3 times the money for a connection that will DL much faster , alot of the time anyway, and having the aforementioned problems, then go for it.


And your ISP has no bearing on how you access sites. They may use a different DNS but the differences are unnoticable for 99.999% of people. Of course if your talkign different countries you'll see big differences in what sites you can access, this may be part of the problems you were reffering to other people having.


and check often with your local provider about the availability of DSL. a couple years ago i lived in a little town with no dsl or cable, I kept asking when we would get it they said no clue. I gave up only to find out 6 months later they hasd installed 12MB lines the week after I called and asked. =/
i am aware of all the spelling and typing errors. I'm just too lazy to give a damn.

[Freddy_Ballgame]

I've checked with Ma Belle Starr and the thieves still don't offer DSL out here. Or cellular service I can use at home!
Regarding the satellite service and phone line, your statement is incorrect according to my research. The satellite connections are indepenet of the tv service, requiring a seperate dish which is not connected to my phone line, according to HughesNet and Dish Network and the Wild Blue they provide. Both said no phone line is neccesary or used. I have pretty reliable satellite service here already, and I've about decided the interruptions with a dish won't be any more numerous than those with dial-up, which disconnects all too often. It is essentially obsolete.
I asked the IP question because I belong to a group or two in America and some members weren't able to join us on the boards because their IP and the site were incompatible for some reason. I'm still mulling it over and appreciate your input. I'm still leaning toward the Dish Network and Wild Blue....