Is satellite Internet really worth serious thought? Well, that all depends. Have you ever been annoyed by your telephone company or DSL Internet provider? Have you ever been in a location that does not have terrestrial DSL or cable Internet available? Now you get the idea of why this is quickly becoming a popular third alternative.
This internet service is similar to satellite TV. 22,000 miles away from the earth, a satellite floats in geostationary orbit and provides a signal, which will eventually reach the homeowner. The satellite is a powerful force to be reckoned with, considering that it allows high speed Internet access with minimal slowdown or downtime. Satellite offers high bandwidth and connection speeds, typically between 512 kbps to 2 mbps, which is standard in the industry.
Are there any beneficiaries to ordering this service? Possibly, but none of these negatives are exclusive to satellite. For instance, it's well known that weather problems can hinder the performance of a satellite Internet connection. However, weather extremes can also tamper with services provided by cable companies or telephone companies. Latency issues have also been cited by some critics, but every provider you choose will have similar issues. The fact of the matter is that it offers an uptime of 99%, comparable to other services currently in the market.
The signals received via satellite technology are so powerful that they can remain stable even for users who are traveling by vehicle or by sea vessel. This is sometimes the only choice for users who live in deep rural areas and have no access to terrestrial Internet connections. This new technology may be good news to you if you have ever been redirected service by a traditional provider because of your remote location. This is not to say that most people who choose satellite Internet have no choice in the matter; the newest findings show that many users switch to it over traditional DSL because of the advantages involved, not because of location.
How about pricing? In the past, this technology was very pricey. However, if you have been paying attention to satellite TV you know by now that it is less expensive than cable. Similar with Internet, the market has changed. Companies are aggressively marketing their services and aiming to compete against established Internet providers which offer terrestrial Internet access. This means that prices must come down and hefty setup fees must be reduced.
The best way to approach the situation is to contact every provider and get a rundown of all the best features for comparison. Pay attention to any contract terms, any special packages (such as deals that bring you satellite TV and Internet for a low monthly price) and any other inclusions or exclusions. You may also be interested in more than one satellite service option, such as a remote satellite connection that follows you wherever you travel.