Internet access using satellite - Tech Support Forums

herura · April 29th, 2003, 11:14 PM

I am thinking of getting the Dish Satellite system to replace the current cable system we have now. We also use the cable system to access the internet and would like to change to the satellite system for internet access as well. Does anyone use the satellite for internet access and if so what is your experiences?

**GroundZero3** · April 29th, 2003, 11:30 PM

from what i understand satellite is pretty slow. but the only people who complain about it are gamers. will you be gaming?

Also im not sure if this is true but weather can affect the transmission. hopefully someone can ellaborate on this

Idigguns · April 29th, 2003, 11:33 PM

From what I hear, it's pretty much useless for on-line gaming or making phone calls or video phone calls over the net because of the latency. Other than that, it's not bad. Before you sign up for anything, make sure they don't limit your amount of bandwidth. If you do alot of downloading, that could be a problem. I've heard of some sat. companies that cut you off after a certain point.

Buzioid · April 29th, 2003, 11:33 PM

Weather DOES affect it, I have DirecTV and you have trouble and can't see it during very bad storms and cloud cover. Internet through it is expensive as well, plus the cost of the dish/system!!! Cost a LOT!!!

ocit · April 29th, 2003, 11:34 PM

i know that you shouldnt plan on gaming with it, due to latency is very high. and initial equipment can be pricey, but the speed is good, not as high as cable i dont think. i reccomend you check prices per month i know direcway was pretty high last i checked.

imo if i had a choice between cable internet and sat id choose cable (prices being equal)

quik initial replies i came in 4th

Idigguns · April 29th, 2003, 11:42 PM

Buzioid, do you have sat. TV AND sat. Internet? Because from what I've heard in the past, weather doesn't effect sat. internet as badly as sat. TV.

Herura, also make sure you are getting two-way satellite. Otherwise, it's download only and upload is still through a dial-up connection (56K)!

Buzioid · April 29th, 2003, 11:44 PM

No, I have just TV. Person up town told me that during heavy weather his internet(sat.) didn't work.

davidamarkley · April 29th, 2003, 11:49 PM

Also, besides the gaming issue, as of right now the protocols that can be broadcasted via sattelite are still few and far between. You can count out Telephone via internet, and some proprietary software apps won't work either. NetMeeting and others also. If all you'll be doing will be downloading, FTP, Email, Web sites you'll be fine and you'll enjoy the boost in speed if you were on dialup previously.

David

VHockey86 · April 29th, 2003, 11:51 PM

I've considered the option for quite some time now, as I cannot get DSL or cable where I live. I believe the cheaper of the two main ones (direcway and starband) is direcway, in which you pay 60 dollars a month, and thats with a 3 yr contract! (alot more than cable or dsl) + hefty equipment costs (at least 400). From everyone I've researched/heard, if you can get cable or dsl, you should definatley use it before satelite internet

crossedup · April 30th, 2003, 08:33 AM

had satellite for about a year. signal always went out with smallest sprinkle. i dont do much gaming so cant comment there but ive heard latency argument myself.

overall download speed was quite good, comparable or better at times to the adsl i have now. this was back in days when you had to be dialedup to send signal to direcpc, that proved a slowing point at times if your dialup isp was bogged down. theyve solved this problem i believe.

if you cant get any other broadband i would suggest it, i enjoyed the heck out of it over 56k