{"id":1119,"date":"2021-09-23T15:39:11","date_gmt":"2021-09-23T15:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.practicallynetworked.com\/?page_id=1119"},"modified":"2021-10-05T16:59:18","modified_gmt":"2021-10-05T16:59:18","slug":"satellite-broadband","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.practicallynetworked.com\/satellite-broadband\/","title":{"rendered":"Sharing Satellite Broadband"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most\u00a0DirecPC<\/a><\/b>\u00a0installations use a satellite link for the downloaded data and your computer’s dialup modem for the “uplink” data.\u00a0 This means that the limitations that apply to sharing a “one-way” or “telco-return” connection will also apply to sharing a DirecPC connection.\u00a0 See\u00a0this page<\/b>\u00a0for more info.<\/span><\/p>\n

The DirecPC site has\u00a0information on using Microsoft’s ICS<\/a><\/b>\u00a0to share it.\u00a0 You may be able to use the info to use a different sharing program, but keep in mind that not all sharing programs handle “telco-return” connections very well.<\/span><\/p>\n

You’ve probably heard that two-way (no dialup modem “uplink”) satellite broadband services are coming.\u00a0 As this is written in early 2001, both\u00a0Hughes\/DirecPC<\/a><\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Starband<\/a><\/b>\u00a0are gearing up to offer these improved services.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both companies are in the process of training installers and dealers, so it will be late Q1 2001 before ordering and installation becomes routine.\u00a0 DirecPC has partnered with\u00a0Pegasus<\/a>,\u00a0Earthlink<\/a>,\u00a0Juno<\/a>,\u00a0<\/b>and\u00a0DirecTV<\/a>\u00a0<\/b>to distribute the product.\u00a0 The hardware will run you $400, “standard” installation another $200, and the monthly charge is $70\/month.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can buy Starband’s service\u00a0direct through their Web site<\/a><\/b>, or through “select”\u00a0DISH<\/a><\/b>\u00a0dealers.\u00a0 If you’re feeling really flush with cash, you can also buy it through your local\u00a0RadioShack<\/a><\/b>.\u00a0 That method gets you a Compaq PC with the satellite “modem” boards installed for about $1200.\u00a0 MSN will be your “choice” for ISP at $60\/month.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, assuming you can wait until things settle down and everyone gets their act together (which we’d recommend), which one do you choose?\u00a0 Both services will provide between\u00a0400-500kbps download\u00a0<\/b>and\u00a0125-150kbps uplink<\/b>, slower than DSL or cable modem alternatives (yeah, we know your cable modem connection runs slower than that….).\u00a0 Both use “receivers” that have a\u00a0USB LAN connection\u00a0<\/b>(except for the Starband version that comes bundled with a Compaq PC!), so you won’t be able to share the connection via a hardware router… at least not yet.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Tip:\u00a0<\/b>Turns out that if you’re willing to\u00a0void your Starband warranty<\/span><\/b>, you\u00a0can get rid of the USB port and connect the Starband Model 180 to your LAN or router via Ethernet<\/b>. See\u00a0Ken Knight’s Planet Bandwidth EtherME page<\/a><\/b>\u00a0for the step-by-step, including nice pictures!<\/span><\/p>\n

Both are\u00a0affected by stormy weather<\/b>, and have\u00a0“lag” or latency<\/b>\u00a0that will be guaranteed to make you lose in any fragging contests.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since we haven’t tested either system (and haven’t had any offers from Hughes or Starband to do so either…), all we can do is direct you to other sources of useful info:<\/span><\/p>\n