| Satellite Internet connectivity is becoming more | | | | Many satellite internet service providers are |
| and more popular as the service comes down in | | | | increasing the number of tech support as well as |
| price, and increases its available market. Rural | | | | contractors they have available in rural areas. This |
| areas are traditionally the last to receive services | | | | can reduce the amount of time it takes to |
| such as Cable Internet or DSL, so it is obvious | | | | receive tech support at the users home, as well |
| why satellite internet service is more popular in | | | | as speed up market penetration via installers in a |
| these areas and why satellite providers have | | | | given area. This is a big win for the company as |
| focused more attention on them. In this article, | | | | well as users. |
| we point out the main points you should consider | | | | The Not So Good |
| when choosing a satellite Internet provider. | | | | The speed of a given Internet connection is of |
| The Good | | | | great importance to most users, and this can be |
| Service level agreements offered by satellite | | | | somewhat of a disappointment to new satellite |
| Internet services have gotten much better for | | | | customers. While being much faster than dial-up, |
| the customer as the industry has grown. | | | | satellite internet is almost always slower than DSL |
| Providers now service their own hardware and | | | | and cable. This is due to several factors, the |
| rely less on contractors, as well as often include | | | | primary being inherent latency in the satellite |
| hardware upgrades and installation for free (or | | | | network. By using compression protocols satellite |
| built into the monthly rate.). This will be of benefit | | | | service can increase the speeds offered to |
| for a user even if there is no need for tech | | | | customers, but there is nothing that can be done |
| support as hardware upgrades are inevitable and | | | | about the lag that is caused by the fact that the |
| a good service agreement can mitigate the cost. | | | | signal has to travel to a satellite in Earth's orbit. |
| Early in the life of satellite internet the only | | | | There is nothing can be done to remove this |
| available connection was one-way. This required a | | | | latency entirely, but through the use of certain |
| proxy server, special software, and an additional | | | | protocols and proxy servers the delay can be |
| phone line. On top of this it was incredibly slow. | | | | minimized. |
| This type of service is almost completely gone, | | | | Satellite internet requires additional hardware over |
| with a new two-way offering quickly taking its | | | | other services such as cable and DSL. Early |
| place. The two-way connection is a great deal | | | | satellite dishes were very large and had to be set |
| faster than its one-way counterpart as well as | | | | up outside a house in the yard. As technology has |
| easier to install. | | | | grown, satellite dishes have gotten smaller. The |
| Satellite providers are now working on increasing | | | | larger dishes that were used for satellite television |
| the number of satellites they have access too in | | | | cannot be used for Internet service today, and |
| orbit. This will not only increase the market they | | | | the newer dishes can be installed on a roof or |
| can sell too, but could also add a level of | | | | window sill. There is still a cost associated with the |
| redundancy that would benefit users as well. This | | | | hardware as well as the installation but it is a |
| can prevent or at least reduce outages for many | | | | great deal lower than it used to be. |
| customers. | | | | |