I’m a DirecTV subscriber. Out here in the mountains there is no cable OR regular reception. So, in order to watch the Cubs I need a dish. Simple enough, right?
I also can only access the 'Net via landline. 44K tops. I have 4 lines coming into my place. Voice, Fax, Data1, Data2 (one for me and one for Lady Chance).
But now they’re offering DirectWay Satellite Access. 400K Downstream/128K Upstream. No need for a landline at all.
And I’m being tempted. I could dump 2 lines (saving about $50/month). 4 machines can be hooked up to this dish.
But it’s a trifle pricey. $99 set up, $99 each month for the first year (that buys me the new dish), then $59 per month after that. And, as mentioned, I’d need to add a second dish to the roof for it. The currect dish can’t broadcast.
So what do the Teeming Millions think? Is this a deal or should I stick with the current medium-tech system I’ve got?
I think it depends on what you need. I have (very) high-speed access because I do a lot of uploading, downloading, bandwidth intensive stuff. If you need/want that, then go for it… if it’s just email and you don’t mind waiting for websites, then stick with what you have. I know it drove me crazy when I was off in the mountains and had the noisiest phone lines ever, but it’s all about what you’re using it for.
If you do a lot on online gaming, you may want to check the signal delay inherent in the hop to the satellite and back to earth.
I seem to remember that going to geosynchronous orbit, where the satellite is, involves a delay of almost a second round-trip. If you have delays of more than a tenth of a second in network connectiions that involve feedback, control becomes difficult.
If you’re going to do Starband, make sure you do NOT get the USB port access if you want to network the signal to more than one computer.
We are doing this here at my business, and I get faster internet access by dialing up than I do from the network - routing a Starband signal drops you down to approx. 15-20K.
I’ve been looking around, but no one seems to have an answer to my problem.
Also - if you use it heavily (i.e. downloading something or online gaming) the satellite senses your heavy usage and cuts down your bandwidth so you don’t interfere too bad with other people. It really drops you down bad.
All in all, stay with your dialup until DSL is available.
