Beware satellite internet service

[Noel_Carboni]

I know exactly what you mean - I have a satellite dish on my RV. My service is through Hughesnet.

They have something called the Fair Access Policy, and it truly will close you down to a dialup rate if you download more than about 300 megabytes of data in any given 24 hour period (this is the limit with the plan I have). In the lingo of the trade, this is called "being fapped".

It's a well known policy and nothing a user can fight legally, unfortunately. We agreed to it when we signed up.

Note that I pay about double what you do per month for the privilege of being mobile, and fully half the time I deploy my dish I have some kind of problem getting connected. When I do connect the speed is variable. I'm a very technical and self-sufficient type, yet I've had to call people to help me with the connection (when I was in cell range) a number of times.

I'm sorry to confirm that satellite internet access is half a step from a black art complete with smoke and mirrors, and your access to the internet is at best limited. Yes, that's the state of the art in 2008.

Something that might help you is a tool called FAPMON that you can install and which will monitor whether you've used up your quota. It's available in a lot of places on the net; here's one I turned up with a search: FapMon !

There's a decent forum for us mobile users, and they do have a good section on the issues specific to the various network providers too. Datastorm Users Forum

Also, for what it's worth, I believe you can upgrade your plan and pay more per month for a higher quota.

-Noel

[EricC]

I guess this may be a stupid question but with the advent of cell based broadband access in the US why would anyone bother???? Verizon's service is $60 a month, accessible from just about everywhere in the US , and won't throttle you until you reach 5gb in a month. Just curious.

[Noel_Carboni]

Well, in my case often I use the satellite dish on the RV when I'm in the deep wilderness and not in cell range.

By the way, 300mb a day x 30 days is 9 GB/month, so that cell service sounds even more limited.

-Noel

[Ronald Garrett]

I just found out DSL is available, {since Dec. 31, 2007] in my area. They are coming Monday to install the equipment. I have been assured there is no throttle on this service.

I simply cannot conduct the business I am in with the previous constraints.

I thought I would never utter these words, but................... satellite internet service SUCKS!

[AndrewCassino]

Originally Posted by Noel_Carboni

By the way, 300mb a day x 30 days is 9 GB/month, so that cell service sounds even more limited. -Noel

On the other hand, Verizon throttles to 200 Kbps, approximately 4x dial-up speed, so it's still reasonably usable.

[Larry Boshell]

I have the Verizon broadband usb modem card that is fast enough that I dropped cable internet. It has a 5 gig per month limit, but so far haven't come close to that. My wife uses it for a VPN telecommuting for her government job a couple of days per month.

The penalty for going past the 5 gig limit is a possible slowdown for awhile. And it works at home and on travel on my laptop. anywhere there is a cell phone connection. I have had the service for over 2 years, with minor exceptions, have found it to be reliable and an even better service than advertised.

One has to log on by clicking on an icon on the computer (similar to dial up), but it is a minor bump for the service. Yes, it costs $59 per month, but for me it is worth it, particularly since i am not now duplicating services at about the same cost on cable high speed. It may be a good alternative for you.

[Ronald Garrett]

I have had my rounds with Verison. They seem to have the most arrogant attitude of any company I have ever dealt with. Having said that I have heard there was a company wide shakeup a short while ago involving the attitude problem. Alas too late, they already made me mad and I dropped them.

At&t promised my modem by UPS by this coming Monday. It came this past Friday. I really enjoy doing business with a company that actually acts like it cares that their customer is served, and keeps it's promises. Life is too short to put up with corporate bs.

I am finding out that making sure one has the best service {in anything} and the best pricing to go along with it is almost a full time job. With me, small amounts saved make the difference in whether my business makes or loses money.

[Pro Photo Store]

Visit the B&H Pro Photo Store for the best Gear Prices and regular specials!

Brilliant Color for any Digital SLR
White Balance Cap
The Pros Agree on ColorRight
What People Are Saying