End-User Frequently Asked Questions

High-speed/broadband access to the internet typically refers to speeds that meet or

exceed 300kbps. As a comparison, typical dial-up speeds are in the range of 28.8kbps

or 56kbps. High-speed/broadband access, therefore, is a timesaving tool that allows you

to work faster while you are using the Internet. Figure 1 below shows a comparison of

Not every home has access to DSL or Cable broadband Internet access services and the

costs of setting up this technology throughout the country, to each home, are in the

billions of dollars. Satellite allows virtually everyone to have access to lightning-fast

Internet access. The download of information from the Internet to your computer goes

from the satellite direct to your PC. The upload of information from your computer to

and then is uploaded to the satellite. Regardless of where you live, if you have

DSL operates over your existing telephone line, however it is distance limited. DSL is

only available to customers located approximately three-miles from the telephone local

switch. With satellite broadband, as long as you can point the satellite dish towards the

Not necessarily. Different providers will commit different speeds and service packages.

Our satellite broadband is used mostly in places where DSL isn’t available, thereby

into your computer at anywhere from 5 to 56K, while the satellite will bring the same

information into your computer at 320-400Kbps. The theoretical maximum speed over

The faster speed means less waiting time, increasing work efficiency making

telecommuting or working from home a practical reality. To decrease the time it takes

to download materials from the Internet. To significantly shorten your time spent

waiting for downloads and to more effectively manage your time spent on the Internet.

You could, but you may be waiting a few years. Since the late 90’s cable systems have

been slow to upgrade their systems. Did you know that it costs over $100,000 a mile to

run fiber optics?  If you do not have access today, it may take at least 3 to 5 years for it to come to this area.

Our "one way" satellite system is less expensive and more reliable than current "two

way" systems. Severe weather conditions can affect any satellite based system.  In fact,

the end-user of a "two way" satellite system can experience a complete loss of

connection. A "one way" satellite system uses both the satellite link and a redundant

terrestrial telephone link to the internet. This means that the end-user connection may

temporarily slow down in the case of very severe weather conditions but will not fail.

Upload times on a "one way" satellite system are three to six times faster then on a

"One-way" is a faster, more reliable, economical service with better customer care. It’s

faster and more reliable because "one-way" doesn’t experience the same time-out

are really designed to broadcast not receive information. One-way takes advantage of

satellite’s strengths by using it for downloading of information only. The uploading of

information is handled over the telephone line. As you know, when you’re using a dialup

service, you are rarely waiting to upload your page requests or emails. All the

waiting time is based on downloading the information over your telephone line. The use

of satellite to download eliminates the problem.

For more details check out what "two-way" users are saying

If your telephone infrastructure is bad, you’re probably used to slow dial-up connection

rates. The good news is, this won’t effect your high-speed surfing experience! 80% of

Internet activity involves downloading information (in the form of web pages, photos

and music). High-speed surfing only becomes a reality when information from the web

can immediately download (or arrive) on your machine. Telephone lines cannot support

the immediate delivery of large amounts of information. There’s just too much

information to fit through that small pipe, so the information ‘trickles’ through it. It’s all

made worse if your telephone infrastructure is bad. However, our broadband satellite

service only uses your telephone line to upload small amounts of information (for

example web page requests). This small amount of information moves quickly and

easily through your telephone line directly to the website you’re visiting. The website

then blasts the page to your computer, photos and all, via the satellite. Downloads up to

It takes about an hour and a half for most installations. We can schedule an appointment

Yes, you can use it just as you are using your telephone line today. You can also use

your existing line with the free "Callwave" software (provides incoming call notification

and/or call delivery http://www.callwave.com) or purchase "Catch A Call" hardware

(allows you to briefly suspend your internet connection while you answer an incoming

Everything the web has to offer!

Music - Yes, Lightening Quick!

Photographs - Yes, Lightening Quick!

Video Clips - Yes, Lightening Quick!

Yes. If you install the connection on a computer that is running Windows XP, you can do

this by enabling "Network Sharing". If you do not have a machine that is running

Windows XP, you can purchase a program called "WinProxy" will allow you to share your

Only Macs connected to a home network. We are looking into a Mac compatible solution