Another ISP question

[Brushy]

I know there was a discussion on internet service providers for us rural based people a few months back. I don't remember the EarthLink Satellite Broadband (powered by Direcway) being discussed. I hear its primary strength is its speed at downloading information, but can anyone tell me how good it really is compared to a plain dial-up modem connection? I know its expensive, but I am more concerned it may be too new to be worth the effort. We cannot get DSL or cable out here. The dial-up modem connection crawls along very slowly. I don't want to wait a couple of years if this is a viable solution. Any new ideas?
Thanks,

 

[Ozarker]

I haven't tried it but my understanding of it is that it is a one way system. You can only download with it. You still need to maintain your dialup to communicate with the system.

I have the same problem you have. Out in the woods and the only option is dialup that gets 26K on a good day.

 

[Brushy]

My information states that no phone line is required - that it can transmit and receive information by an antenna. They stress that only a USB computer connection and software installation, besides the indoor and outdoor equipment that comes with this system, is required.

 

[MikePA]

Brushy - There was a thread about this a few months ago. Here's the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=off&Number=154617&Search=true&Forum=All_Forums&Words=satellite&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=50&Old=allposts&Main=154617>link</A>

Ozarker - The first satellite connections were one way. However, the current version is two way.

 

[Ozarker]

Guess it has been longer than I thought since I looked into that type of system. If they are two way now, it might be worth considering.

 

[Brushy]

MikePA- Thanks for the link. For some reason I thought it had been 3-4 months ago we covered this area. I'm actually under a lot of pressure to get a faster download for my son's music so that he doesn't continue to tie up our internet service for hours at a time.

 

[Wingnut]

<font color=blue>to get a faster download for my son's music </font color=blue>

buy him the CD's ... man ... it's cheaper and legal! So little of the MP3 or file trading stuff out there now is still legal ... and not great quality ...

the idea of spending several hundred dollars for equipment and then $70 a month ... well, I see pictures of that estate rake I wanted or power beyond, T'n'T, new helmets for the bike ... money to fix the motorhome ... well ..., anyway, until the price comes down to something justifiable - or I need it to make a living (and can therefore write it off) ... there just ain't no way!

 

[mikim]

My boss has rebuilt his PC 3 times in 2 years from the destruction his son has caused downloading music and the crap that comes with it (viruses, corrupt files etc)
mike

 

[mbsil]

I recently moved to the country and no longer have my DSL line. I investigated and found the following:

1. Two-way satellite is available, however it is costly ($90+/month PLUS up-front equipment $ of up to $600) and has quirks (delays between send and receive).

2. ISDN should be available most anywhere that you can get dial tone and is about 4 times faster than a standard modem. Be aware that long distance rates apply to ISDN, so be sure your ISP has a local number.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Yet another option that's available at my property in Central Texas, and which several neighbors use, is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tstar.net/html/services-wireless.html> wireless internet </A>. Several speed options are available, starting at $60/mo and $300 total installation.

I can't report on any experience with this, but they are adding customers all the time. May be coming to your area soon.

 

[patrickg]

I could sure use some more bandwidth too. The "old" one way Rcv only sat modem would speed up downloads a bunch but still required a phone for outgoing packets. The two way sat stuff is a bit $$$$ yet but hope it comes down over time (soon please!!!).

The direct microwave two way link is a good deal and is currently available in the Oklahoma City area BUT is limited by the FCC to 35 air miles from the microwave site. Unfortunately I am over the line, uhh outside the 35 mile arc. Even if I chose to personally upgrade my equipment and could get enough signal strength to get the error rate down to an acceptable level, the FCC won't allow the liscensee (service provider) to contract with anyone over 35 miles away. It sucks, but rules is rules.

As I write this I am connected at 31.2K, about as slow as it gets for me. I frequently connect at greater than 40K but so what, the conection speed is just one link in the chain. My ISP doesn't "serve" me much faster when I connect at a 48.333K than when I connect at 31.2K. I have exactly one ISP to chose from and pay my phone company an extra $20/month to be able to call the community where it is located with no additional charges.

I pay about $20/month for ISP and $20/month for calling plan to access the ISP. I would be willing to pay more to get more but don't know of an available system this side of 2 way sat modem for BIG BUCKS.

ISDN and DSL are NOT available now nor will they be in the forseeable future in my area. (Even though I do have a dial tone.)

I am open to hear from anyone who knows of a better way that is currently available in rural south central Oklahoma.
By the way, my current ISP is an indian tribe and I'm lucky to exceed the baud rate of smoke signals and drums.

Patrick

 

[bsparr]

I moved my business to my rural property at the first of the year. Having been spoiled with a 1.5mb DSL connection in town, the thought of stepping all the way back to dial up was a frieghtening thought. We decided to go with the Direcway 2 Way system. Although the initial cost was about $900 and monthly charge about $60, dial up at 17.6k was not a desirable option. The 2-way system is certainly not comparable to a DSL connection but it seems to be about 10 times faster than dial up available here. It is a 24/7 connection and does not tie up a phone line. Reliability has been much better than we expected with very little down time. E-mail is very fast.