Who are the most dependable satellite internet providers?

Question

I have dial-up internet and have been thinking about getting satellite internet. I was wondering what the most dependable provider to go with would be.

Also, could you please give me the pros and cons of each provider?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Skycasters:

~pros - one of the best satellite internet providers as far as application handling (using vpns, etc) reliable

~cons - $400 to $1000 install, equipment starts at $900, $150 min. monthly bill.

http://www.skycasters.com/index.html

Hughes Net (DirecWay):

~pros - pretty reliable equipment, defer startup costs over your monthly bill

~cons - tech supports in India, they overload their satellite with customers reducing everyone else's speeds and overall experience on the satellite.

http://www.hughesnet.com/HUGHES/Rooms/Di...

WildBlue:

~pros - cheapest startup costs of all, works much better than dialup, download speeds almost always a little over whats advertised

~cons - had some bad manufacturing for a while on equipment and the costs trickled down to the customers (but they did get it straightened out mostly)  upload speeds are never even close to what they advertise

http://wildblue.com/

Any satellite internet has a lag time.  A delay from communicating with a hunk of electronics 22,000+ miles away from the earth.  They all like to boast that they work well with apps like VPNS, video conferencing, voip (Vonage, Packet 8); but the real world results are always a little (or a lot) different.  Unless you have the dough to drop on Skycasters and can actually find an installer; WB or HN should work just fine for you.  Just don't expect it to be a cable connection or dsl and you won't be shocked.  If you have decent cell coverage, I would definitely try out EVDO.  Pick up and aircard from Sprint or Verizon, try it out free for 30 days and if doesn't work for you take back.  Then go with satellite. (ONLY)

Answer 2

Instead of satellite internet, see if you can get DSL internet (you still get it though your phone service, but it's on a different line and you get 1,500kb internet instead of the 56kb so that's MUCH faster)

But if you're unable to get DSL... You can try "DirecWAY" (I think it's called that) from DirecTV but I hear that it's really not much faster than dialup :(

Answer 3

well i have clearwire not satellite but wire less. and the thing is that it is so dam slow. even though they say that it is fast it takes forever to watch anything. i would suggest going with quest they have the price for life thing with some pretty fast internet. but that just my suggestion..  

Answer 4

As you indicated, if you can't DSL or cable, your best Satellite option is HughesNet

They are very reliable and reasonably priced and should get coverage anywhere if you have clear South view.

Check out http://go.gethughesnet.com/ for more details

Good luck!