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SatDrive Questions

Hello SatDrive Rep and Welcome to ISPr.

Please could you assist me if possible, by answering the following questions? as I cannot seem to find specific details on your web site.

1. Does Satdrive apply the 1Gb download restriction per month to its standard package or only to the SatDrive 1000 package which carries additional monthly cost?

2. As Satdrive is a 1 Way satellite solution, what method does the provided software employ to
connect to the Satdrive server for Uplink ? VPN / Proxy or other ?

3. The website states that SatDrive is a single user licence, does this mean that the software may only be installed on 1 computer, or is this licence agreement for the user ?

4. Is it within the T & C's of the contract that sharing of this connection is allowable over a local LAN for residential customers? Does the provided software work with ICS / proxies to allow this sharing ?

5. Do you have a Technical Support department that could assist users who already have the required hardware and only have to get their Dish Realigned to EutelSat 8 Deg W, or does the Software Only package include a visit from one of your approved installers to realign the dish ? Your website states that you do not support Non SatDrive Provided Hardware, does this mean all Technical Support ?

6. Are their any special Hardware requirements that potential customers who are interested in the Software only package, should be aware of, prior to subscribing to your service. i.e. min Dish Size, Type of LNB etc.

7. Does the service have any port / protocol restrictions, that reduce the services flexibility compared to Netsystem and other Satellite ISP's?

8. Does the possibility exist, that SatDrive will launch a special offer or promotion, enabling a potential customer to subscribe for 1 year in advance at a reduced premium ? or has this already been considered ?

I do apologise if this seems like a lot of questions to answer, and perhaps I should of sent a mail. However I do feel that
many people like myself, are interested in this system and will seek answers to some of the questions I have asked above.

Thank you in advance, I look forward to your response.

Regards

Pwablo
 
A few of these questions require me to ask the appropriate people. I will respond when I have the remaining answers.
 
Thank You SatDrive. I patiently await your response.

Regards

Pwablo
 
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I apologise for the delay. We have been working very hard and now SatDrive is live. The web site has been updated and additions are being added regularly. E.g. We provide members area with support documentation in pdf format and other files for our clients. There is also a forum for members and FAQs open to all. FAQs are updated very regularly and expect to see this continue.

1. Does Satdrive apply the 1Gb download restriction per month to its standard package or only to the SatDrive 1000 package which carries additional monthly cost?

1gb restriction is for the 1000 package. Also you may not the 1000 package provides a priority 5 level. The 14.99 is not restricted and provides a priority 1. If you are using the 14.99 package and you change priorities you will pay additional charges.

2. As Satdrive is a 1 Way satellite solution, what method does the provided software employ to
connect to the Satdrive server for Uplink ? VPN / Proxy or other ?

It is a proxy connection not a vpn. We have a manual to help assist clients in configuring their browser. We also supply an extra pdf (adobe) document in our support area for users of netscape and opera.

3. The website states that SatDrive is a single user licence, does this mean that the software may only be installed on 1 computer, or is this licence agreement for the user ?

You can install the software on another computer if you wish. However please don't run the connections at the same time. So basically please don't logon twice. If you network your connection then you could provide your own proxy connection. This means you login once on the server and share the connection. Analogx works with http currently. We are putting together a LAN solution shortly.

4. Is it within the T & C's of the contract that sharing of this connection is allowable over a local LAN for residential customers? Does the provided software work with ICS / proxies to allow this sharing ?

You can run a LAN if you wish. Analogx is a free application, very small and handles http. We are looking at ftp, email and socks connectivity for a LAN. If you want this connectivity drop us an email and ask to be informed when our LAN solutions are available.

5. Do you have a Technical Support department that could assist users who already have the required hardware and only have to get their Dish Realigned to EutelSat 8 Deg W, or does the Software Only package include a visit from one of your approved installers to realign the dish ? Your website states that you do not support Non SatDrive Provided Hardware, does this mean all Technical Support ?

Software only package doesn't include a site visit. You are correct we don't support non-satdrive receiver hardware. However we are working with receiver manufacturers. This means if you tell us what receiver you are using we can a) inform you of what the manufacturer has said is compatible b) ask the manufacturer to test and assist you c) you ask the manufacturer for assist.

6. Are their any special Hardware requirements that potential customers who are interested in the Software only package, should be aware of, prior to subscribing to your service. i.e. min Dish Size, Type of LNB etc.

Well dish requirements can depend on your location. In the UK a 60cm is fine. Where are you located?

7. Does the service have any port / protocol restrictions, that reduce the services flexibility compared to Netsystem and other Satellite ISP's?

As stated it is a proxy based service. Applications need to be configured to work with the service. We already provide instructions for Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera and CuteFTP. Not all appplications are going to be compatible. If you inform us of the application we can test.

8. Does the possibility exist, that SatDrive will launch a special offer or promotion, enabling a potential customer to subscribe for 1 year in advance at a reduced premium ? or has this already been considered ?

We don't want to be a cheap service that provides limited connectivity e.g. just fast browsing. It is worth looking at our SkyEmail and SkyRFD services which are included. My personal favourite is the SkyEmail due to the flexibility it gives people with receiving email. With these extra services we are catering to a wider range of clients providing more solutions.

As I said the service has launched and that basically answers your question now. The packages are set.

If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask. I will be checking back here regularly.
 
A new FAQ is available at our site. The home worker FAQ may answer more questions you may have.

<a href="http://www.satdrive.com/?CLASS=Page&DBID=9bf8cff6d40d34adebc20851474860f7" target="_blank">SatDrive FAQ's</a>

<small>[ 05.09.2002, 02:22 PM: Message edited by: SatDrive ]</small>
 
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It is obvious that you have been very busy developing the system, Thank you for taking the time to reply. I wish you the best of Luck with your Roll Out.

Best Regards

Pwablo
 
Thanks Pwablo.

<small>[ 05.09.2002, 04:34 PM: Message edited by: SatDrive ]</small>
 
If I had £450 to have SatDrive installed, I definitely would!

Could you not do some kind of scheme, where the USB box and other equipment is on loan from you, instead of us having to pay these huge prices.

It isn't cost effective, to pay £450, when you could say charge £19.99 per month for the loan of the equipment including the subscription cost.

Also, I take it that £429 installation on the order page a few days ago, was a mistake?! It's changed back to £450 today.

You comments would be appreciated.

It's a super service, but £450 IS TOO MUCH!

<img border="0" alt="[Shrug]" title="" src="graemlins/shrug.gif" />
 
Hi Kyle,

I wasn't aware about the price error on the site a while back.

I have just checked and the pricing on the site is the correct one.

Thanks for your comments / feedback.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.
 
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Yep service is now live. It was launched this week. The speeds can vary hence why we have a priority system.

For instance:

The other day I downloaded Quicktime 6 via SatDrive and in priority 1 I got the 4mbits.

The other night the speed was around 3xisdn for a while due to the server i was downloading from and the priority system being used.

Also I was downloading files and hitting over 2mbits another time.

However these figures could be completely different tonight or tomorrow. We don't guarentee a certain speed, you simply can't when working at up to 4mbits.

Also we have the SatDrive Email and RFD services that are very useful.
 
Could you please respond to my last post, about an alternative to £450 please.

Thanks.
 
If you already have a card and dish then you may wish to purchase the software only package. However you would then either have to install / realign the dish yourself or pay a fee for us to do it.

We don't guarentee service on non-satdrive satellite ip receivers (pci / usb). However manufacturers are working with us to test their receivers with our service. E.g. driver version on different OS's etc.
 
I meant the complete installation, but with rented hardware from you, as long as we were subscribed to SatDrive.
 
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Hi Kyle,

Sorry about the delay. The demand for SatDrive has been incredible and I have only had time to communicate with direct messages to us and phone calls.

We will not rent out hardware to clients.

Feel free to email us at techsupport@satdrive.com or phone the offices +44(0)1256 773339
 
I have prepared some sample video files if you want to see the service in action. Just email techsupport@satdrive.com for a copy.
 
You say there has been a great demand for the service, i can see why, i'm looking to move from netsystem as soon as i get the money and some answers to my questions.

1)How many users roughly have signed up and are now active on the service?

2)What is the capability of your transponders?

3)I say transponder's' because you state your re-packaged pci card has multi-transponder capabilities, why state it if it wasnt needed to say. Do you have more than one?

4)Would i have to apply the proxy settings to my p2p,ftp software etc aswell or would it do just setting it in the internet connection settings?

5)What if any developments have been acheived so far for NetBSD and Linux o/s' so far?

6)Would there be a pre-set limit of maximum users so not to let the system fall into the same hole as many other sat isps have in the past of slow download speeds throtling all other ports with the exception of http 80/8080. Such as Netsystem which i am a member currently.
 
yeah, debateable, but picture this...netsystem has 60,000 subscribes alone from italy, already 7,000 from spain, god knows how many from france im not sure, but they got a large active users forum. And god knows how many from uk.

Satdrive has 16,000 altogether.
 
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