best satellite provider?

I currently have some idea of starband and pcdirect as satellite Internet
providers -- are there any others, and which do you feel is "best"?

By "best" I mean upload/download speeds, initial and monthly costs, and
required software for aiming and fine-tuning the aim. I would prefer some
non-Microsoft connection software preferably open source, but don't insist
on it.

We must make a provider selection within the next month, so any help that
you can provide either pro or con any provider will be much appreciated.

"Patrick" <ptri.c.k.@statrerv.corn> hath wroth:

>I currently have some idea of starband and pcdirect as satellite Internet
>providers -- are there any others, and which do you feel is "best"?

It's called Starband and DirecWay/HughesNet. Also see WildBlue.

There are plenty of other providers but most are aimed at commercial
users. There are also resellers that specialize in mobile (RV,
vehicle, boating, etc) service. There are also a series of satellite
providers that serve countries other than the USA. Rather than list
all of them, could you disclose what country you are located and
whether you're looking for commercial or consumer grade internet,
fixed or mobile service? Meanwhile, you'll find a list of others at:
<http://dmoz.org/Computers/Data_Communications/Wireless/Satellite/>

>By "best" I mean upload/download speeds, initial and monthly costs, and
>required software for aiming and fine-tuning the aim.

I only have experience with DirecWay/Hughesnet systems. It works, but
has bad days due to weather and congestion. One customer just
installed Wild Blue service but I haven't had reason or time to visit.
In general, I would avoid satellite service unless you have no other
alternative.

>I would prefer some
>non-Microsoft connection software preferably open source, but don't insist
>on it.

There is no connectivity software. The various satellite internet
services provide you with a modem/router combination. You configure
the router using your web browser over an ethernet connection. There
was a time when specialized software was required for modem return
systems, for USB satellite modems, and for bridge only devices. No
longer. However, there are some tweaks usually necessary for
non-Windoze users. See:
<http://www.dslreports.com/faq/satellite/7._Tips_for_Non-Windows_Users>

So, if you don't like Microsoft products, why does your news header
show that you're using Microsoft Outlook Express 6 for usenet news?

>We must make a provider selection within the next month, so any help that
>you can provide either pro or con any provider will be much appreciated.

I think you'll get better results if you:
1. Read a few satellite FAQ's to get a feel for what's available and
how things work.
2. Dig into the various satellite internet forums, blogs, and
newsgroups for opinions by users.

I suggest you start at:
<http://www.broadbandreports.com/faq/satellite>
<http://www.dslreports.com/forum/sat~also=wildblue+starband>

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

In news:(E-Mail Removed),
Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> There are plenty of other providers but most are aimed at commercial
> users. There are also resellers that specialize in mobile (RV,
> vehicle, boating, etc) service. There are also a series of satellite
> providers that serve countries other than the USA. Rather than list
> all of them, could you disclose what country you are located and
> whether you're looking for commercial or consumer grade internet,
> fixed or mobile service? Meanwhile, you'll find a list of others at:
> <http://dmoz.org/Computers/Data_Communications/Wireless/Satellite/>

Thanks for that link; I'll study it carefully. We're currently in the
continental U.S. and can get by, I believe, with "consumer grade"
connectivity, generally at a fixed location but will occasionally re-locate
for a week or so at a time, and will re-aim the dish as needed for the new
lat./lon.

>> By "best" I mean upload/download speeds, initial and monthly costs,
>> and required software for aiming and fine-tuning the aim.
>
> I only have experience with DirecWay/Hughesnet systems. It works, but
> has bad days due to weather and congestion. One customer just
> installed Wild Blue service but I haven't had reason or time to visit.
> In general, I would avoid satellite service unless you have no other
> alternative.

This lab will occasionaly be located at remote rural locations where telco
lines, cellular coverage and wireless aren't available.

>> I would prefer some non-Microsoft connection software preferably
>> open source, but don't insist on it.
>
> There is no connectivity software.

Software *is* required to aim the dish, and that's what I mean by
"connectivity". Each lat./lon. requires a azimuth, elevation and rotation of
the dish

> So, if you don't like Microsoft products, why does your news header
> show that you're using Microsoft Outlook Express 6 for usenet news?

Because that's the newsreader I'm posting with here, which has nothing to do
with the lab. Microsoft products are unstable and unreliable in our
experience. The lab operates NetBSD 3.1 machines for automated data
acquisition and reduction, remote submission and reporting capabilities. If
vendor-specific dish-aiming software requires an MS OS, then we'll install
and use VMWare to address the issue, but would rather avoid the bloat.

>> We must make a provider selection within the next month, so any help
>> that you can provide either pro or con any provider will be much
>> appreciated.

> I suggest you start at:
> <http://www.broadbandreports.com/faq/satellite>
> <http://www.dslreports.com/forum/sat~also=wildblue+starband>

Again, thanks for your help.

>From what you have indicated about moving around, Wild-Blue will not
work due to spot-beam technology. Hughes's system will allow you to
move and re-set your dish, though they have a "don't ask-don't tell"
policy towards mobile consumer systems.



Check this out: http://www.datastormusers.com/

There is a tripod based approach called "Dusty-foot":
http://www.dustyfoot.com/

Also:

http://www.groundcontrol.com/prod_ig2500_001.htm

http://www.direcstar.com/

http://www.c-comsat.com/

http://www.spacenet.com/


This should give you many options.

If you go with Hughes, which is the biggest and most popular, make
sure you get one of the business accounts to get past the increasingly
strict daily thruput limitations. In fact, these limitations, which
dymnamically distribute the usage of the scarce satellite bandwidth
are in place with every provider. With Hughes this is called "FAP"
or fair access policy. This FAP and it's corresponding policies with
each company are one of the main criteria you should compare to your
intended usage when deciding on a service.

FAP and perhaps latency depending on your intended use. I understand
that at least one of the providers specializes in minimizing latency
for VPNs and such. At very best it's over 600 ms - with Hughes it
varies from 700-1500ms typically.

Download speed is the most advertised and least critical feature for
most users.

As far a aiming software, I believe that is all taken care of within
the modem's firmware, if I am not mistaken. The HN7000S with Hughes
may be running VX works?......

Cheers,
Steve