Satellite Modem

Previous  Next

Last Updated: July 8, 2007

Satellite dishes is an option for rural communities who can't get DSL or a cable modem.

Starband and HughesNet (formerly HughesWay who was formerly DirectWay who was formerly Hughes) offer satellite based internet access service.  One complaint about a satellite connection is the 2-3 second lag time between clicking on a link and the web page updating.  The speed goes up to 1024Kbits/sec downstream and up to 256kbits/sec upstream, which is up to 15 times faster than a 56K modem.  Plans are $50 to $130 per month.

PC Magazine's article Real World Testing: The Best ISPs in America (May 2007) and PC World's article The Best and Worst ISPs (June 2007) said dialup customers were happier than satellite customers.

Previous  Next