Posted: 25th Aug, 2011 By: MarkJ
Broadband Wherever, a UK provider of Satellite based internet access services, has today claimed that
satellite services are suffering unfairly from the past stigma of being a "
last resort option" due to the slower speeds and higher costs associated with older technology.
Shawn Hunt at Broadband Wherever believes that satellite broadband is actually one of the
most reliable methods of receiving broadband for rural '
Not Spot' areas. Today hunt hopes to dispel some of the most common misconceptions by listing several of the technology's top "
myths".
Broadband Wherever's Top 3 Satellite-Myths
* Myth 1: The set-up and running costs for satellite broadband are expensive
While this may have rung true at the time when the concept of satellite broadband was first introduced as a viable option, it is no longer the case today. What used to cost between £1,500 and £2,000 to set up has been dramatically superseded by a much smaller outlay of around £300, a fraction of what it was, and monthly service costs are further reduced; and yet the concept of high-cost does tend to stick in people’s minds so it is important that any confusion is quickly demystified if users are to make a more informed choice in terms of how they receive their broadband connection. Equally, the satellite broadband market has become very competitive commercially, and many providers are racing each other to the post with new exclusive plans, free servicing deals and specially discounted rates.
* Myth 2: The connection and performance for satellite broadband is slow
Again, back in the early days one could expect broadband speeds of anything between 512kbs to 1MB. Today, those speeds are somewhere in the region of up to 10MB. The performance and speed of a satellite broadband connection is also heavily dependent on the physical speed and configuration of your computer. If you are using an archaic, poorly fitted computer you are unlikely be able to view certain web pages clearly such as those containing Flash. Satellite broadband may well transmit data at a faster rate but if your computer isn’t up to the job it can affect how that data is received. Developments in satellite broadband have come a long way and take-up is also increasing, some satellites are now even dedicated purely to broadband connection and exclude TV channels which in terms of speeds, means big progress.
* Myth 3: Satellite broadband is very unreliable in bad weather
This is simply not true by today’s standards. In fact, technological advancements mean that satellite broadband is far more robust than it ever was before. Providing a satellite dish is properly installed by a professional and doesn’t have an obstructed view of the sky, the user will be able to receive a reliable, uninterrupted broadband connection regardless of poor weather conditions. During very extreme weather conditions, at worst a user might expect to experience a very minimal disturbance to their broadband connection of no more than a few minutes at the very most. So all in all, bad weather does not have a substantial effect on satellite broadband at all.
Modern satellite ISPs are certainly a million miles better and more affordable than those of yesteryear, although Hunt doesn't manage to cover all of the issues. For example, a setup cost of £300+ (myth 1) might not be as expensive as it once was but nor is that cheap.
Myth 2, aside from muddling up MB (MegaBytes) with Mb (Megabits), appears to ignore the issue of
poor latency,
heavy throttling and
restrictive usage allowances (varies between providers). Throttling is imposed by a number of Satellite platforms and can result in your speed being reduced to well below the advertised rate.
Myth 3 is a bit more variable. Heavy storms are common in England and satellite services certainly didn't enjoy last year's heavy snow fall, although it is often possible to shelter them or to place the dish within a location that's easy to access or clean. Satellite remains an extremely useful technology but it still can't match a good fixed line connection, assuming you can get one and many people cannot.