We've had satellite for several years now, sometimes it's faster sometimes not. It's definitely faster than dial up but nothing like DSL. Can be very slow during bad weather, goes out sometimes just like the television. It was our only option though.

I've had satellite Internet since last March. It is not cheap, nor is it as fast as dsl or cable, but for someone who has no other choice for something other than dialup, it works okay. I find mine very slow during the evening hours when more subscribers are using. It is great for downloads, but for browsing not so fast. Forget gaming or VOIP; it is not for those things. Still, I'm sticking with mine until something better comes along (maybe wi-fi?).

I have had Hughes Net formely Direcway since July.I also had no other choice other then Dialup that was getting slower and slower and being disconnected was a major problem.

I like my system a lot.Downloads are fast and I can watch video clips now.They were not possible before.Also I can now keep my computer updated.Most take only a few minutes rather then hours.I can look around on ebay and not wait for pictures to load.

Some say there system does not offer reliable service.But if you get a good install things will work well.Things like proper alighnment and a good ground make all the difference between liking it and not.

Weather is not much concern only during a very heavy rain storm.Also ice and snow on the dish can be a problem.Thats why I recomend a pole mount rather then roof top.

I asked the same questions you did.I read all the discouraging words.But went with it anyway.I am 100% glad I did.Sure its not as good as what is avialable in the city.It cost more and is not good for gaming.But it is what is available and the only choice for many of us and is a world apart from Dialup.Just remember to demand a good installer.Ask around research do your homework before letting them send some Goober out.See if there are any local installers.You must order through Hughes and you do not know who they will send.But a good local area installer can work it so he can do the job.Rather then who they want to send out.A good clean install is the key to a successful system.

Thanks for the info. Guess i'm going to go ahead
and get it. My dialup is so slow and on rainy days
it gets worse cause the line gets wet somewhere and phone
company says they can't find where. Always getting static in the line. Hughenet is suppose to set me up on Tues.
Don't like the cost but i guess it beats slow dialup.
Thanks again.

You are going through the same exact thing I did.My phone line is also bad somewhere.Not in the house but there line.They realise there just about done.Everyone is going wireless and cell phones.So they want to keep there expenses down remain all profit.

I went with Hughesnet and Cell phones.I still have a house phone for people to call me.But use my cell phone for long distance.I do not have a long distance provider.That way the phone company gets very little of my money.

Just make sure when the installer arives you.Keep a close eye on him.Do not be afraid to ask questions or question anything you feel he might be skimping on.

Here is a check list of things to watch for.

1Proper ground
2Ask if you getting assinghed to not so crowded bird.
3Pole mount will cost you extra but well worth the expence.
4Make sure he uses plenty of sackcrete and puts the pole well into the ground.
5routes the cable in a way that it will not pick up moisture in the connectors.

Let us know how it goes.I think you will like your new system.

There are three providers that I know of: Hughesnet, Wild Blue, and Starband. Investigate each one. I have Wild Blue, which is a company that just started in 2005. They launched their own satellite in December and will be adding new customers to it starting in March, probably. I also have a pole mount. As John Deere wrote, the installation is very important. Yes, I can watch streaming video and listen to Internet radio, which was impossible on my dialup. So, generally, I am pleased with the system. By the way, I believe Wild Blue is still less expensive if the beam which serves your area is not closed to new customers. The growth has been phenominal, and growing pains with it, but, overall, the service has been a great improvement over dialup.

Satellite is up and running,well walking. Local installer.
Took his time, ran several test. Had lots of trouble.
Signal strength is 64, ACP is 87 what ever that means.
Don't have much trouble getting to the main page but if i click on Something ( like where i had this question then go to the replys. Very slow, not much faster then dial-up.
Told him i wasn't happy with it and he told me to try it for 24-48 hours and if still not then call in. They may have to send him back out to have him set it to another satellite. We have a cell phone tower a couple of miles from us and now it's facing right towards that tower. Will try it for awhile to see how it goes. thanks

Dont go by this sight it is slow anyway at times,They even have it in red saying so as of yesterday and today,There have some type of problem right now.Also something that is incripted when there is the lock in you task bar lower right side it is slower.

What satellite were you designated?I am on Intelsat American6 at 93 degrees.Transponder 1046 hopefully you were not put on a very crowded bird?My signal strengh is no more then 64 and drops to 50 at times however does not seem to have anything to do with speed.Sometimes when its lower the speed is faster.Have you ran a speed test?

Not sure what Satelitte but i know he said, 87 degrees.
Signal strength is 64. He ran a speed test a couple of times. It seems to work better now today. He said, they may have to switch me to another after a couple of days but i think now it's going to be ok. Thanks for all the info.

I am very interested in any more comments on this subject. I am considering Hughes net because I don't think wildblue is available in my area yet. I hate my dial up but want to make sure that the added cost will be well worth it. I use the web mostly for surfing, uploading pics & looking at photography also e-mailing & the gereral stuff. Can you have more than one computer hooked to the system in your house like you can with cable? Thanks for any feedback. Terri

Two of my relation have satellite internet. One has Starband and the other has Sprint. They both love the speed.

The one with Starband is in central Iowa and has had a little bit of trouble with weather related problems. Just the last couple of days, he has had some kind of problem and is currently working on it.

The one with Sprint is outside of Phoenix, AZ and has only had it for a short time and so far has had no problems.

They both have more than one computer connected to their satellite systems with routers and that works out great.

Once you have high speed internet, you won't go back to dial-up.

Good Luck
Smitty

I did get the hughes net and i'm loving it.
Can't bealive the differnce between that and dial
up. Wasn't happy about the cost but now think it's great!

There is a company in Austin that offers T3 mobile or fixed satellite systems. I forgot the name of the company, but I will try to find them. The last time I checked, they offered super high speed internet with 12 phone lines with all long distance, for 79.00 per month. The equipment cost $700 for the mobile system, but the fixed dish was cheaper. You could take the mobile system camping with you. LOL. DirecTV packages were also available for a little bit more.

Thanks for the info. I currently am trying to find out it the cable company a couple miles down the road has expanded to my location. On the web it says yes & on the phone they are not sure & have to check into it further. The mobile satellite system, is that similar to using a cell phone type of thing? Sorry for the ignorance on the subject I am trying to read up on things. We do have a cell tower down the road but no one gets good reception at my house. I do have direct tv & Love the results from that dish. What about down loading music? Fast enough for that also? Thanks again, Terri

Yes, you can download music, but each provider has certain limitations on the amount of your usage. Check into their "fair access policy" for this. Different plans allow different amounts of usage. I am not a heavy user, even though I do download music occasionally, so I never have a problem of going over my limit. Sprint does not offer satellite Internet. What the poster probably was referring to is their EVDO wireless plan. This is mainly designed for business travelers, although some people do use it at home, but you have to have a good wireless signal for that. Now, if wi-fi were to come my way, I'd jump to that in a heartbeat.

The Moblie T3 systems were being marketed for emergency vehicles such as ambulances. They also offered fixed dish systems for home and office. The internet is super fast...DSL is T1. T3 can download at about 45 mbps! 30 times faster than DSL.

going with directv(hughes net) satellite was the only
option i had. Embarq ( phone) said, it would be years
before dsl was available down my road. Same with cable, no go.

Glad to here HughesNet is working out for you patches.Im in the same boat years if ever before something better comes along.But I am satisfied with it anyway.

Thanks for all of the replies, I will be sure & post when I get one or the other. Terri

My dial-up was just awful, but all I could get. However, the local people were there to help me wonderfully. I felt a loyalty for that factor.

When a friend 25 miles away went on Wild Blue, I tried to get it--got on a waiting list, and waited from May until after Thanksgiving, because the "beam was full" here.

It was misting when the installer came down from the roof, it turned to freezing rain, sleet, snow and then a blizzard. Wild Blue never waivered. What a test! (Sure can't say the same for my DISH TV.) I pay 49.95 + tx but got rid of an extra telephone line, and the 15.00 mo. dialup, so on balance it isn't too much more. WB is not blazing fast as other modes that I have used away from home. However, I can't get those others like wireless or DSL, broadband, etc.
Good luck.

Wild Blue is the service I use. My beam is really crowded, so in the evenings the service is not so fast, especially https (secure sites).

I was away from home for two months with my modem completely disconnected, cables and power line, and when I reconnected everything, I got a signal almost immediately and it hasn't wavered all week. As someone else has stated, a good install is the key to reliable service.

Well finally, I am taking the plunge. I can't stand dial up any more! I am so excited, I ordered Hughes Net and they said the installer would be calling to set up my appointment in the next few days! I talked to a couple people in my area that have it & they said I would have absolutely no regrets (After all, in my area it's dial up or Hughes). So if you have any tips or any websites with tips please pass them along! I am so happy, hope it isn't to complicated to get the hang of. Thanks for everyone's help & for sharing your knowledge. Terri

I have had my hughs net for a couple of months now and wished i had got it sooner. Haven't had any problems, even with the bad weather. Installed called me in two days and he was great. He told us we would be better off if we pole mounted it in case we ever needed to get to it. He used some kind of tool and walked around yard to see where we would receive it best. We have directtv and he said, never put the two satellits to close together. So far no regrets. Sure beats that slow dial up. enjoy

patches, I have been concerned about putting this on your thread, not sure on the proper etiquette on these forums are. Please let me know if the proper thing would have been to start my own thread. Thank you so much for the help & thanks a million for your support. Terri

I have my Wild Blue dish on a pole mount with my Dish Network dish several feet below it. Having the two fairly close together has been no problem at all. There are Internet forums for both HughesNet and Wild Blue users, and they are very informative. Sometimes the installers who get into discussions that are too technical for me, but I have learned lots there.

You would think that if dish network or direct tv could enable the technology to beem both tv signals and internet on the same dish, and offer it in one package, now that would be huge... maybe in the future...

They get twice the money this way. :>)

Sunshinetm, you did right. It's on the same
subject.

Because of this thread I ordered Hughes Net which was installed last Wednesday. My wife and I both are well pleased with the speed.

Thanks!

Did any of you with crummy dial up ever try switching providers or changing out the modem in your computer? Older equipment, like a not so great modem could very well be to blame. Years ago there was a post by someone with a Dell, their modem was cheap, and until it was replaced, her dial up was the pits.

Yes i had three different isp's and changed modems.
Had phone company check lines several times, ran all new
lines. None of the above worked.Was left with only this option.

I have also switched dial up providers 3 times & bought a brand new computer with no new results. Seems like this is the best option for my situation. The installer called & they will be out Friday! :-) Gene I am glad you are having good results with Hughs & agree that the forums can offer a lot of advice & help. Terri

Just got an e-mail saying that wildblue is now available at my address. Oh know, now what to do...Anyone know if one is better than the other? Wild blue has a special of the free install which would save me $200 and a little cheaper per month. Help me decide, I need to make my change in plans in the next day or so. Why all of the sudden is it avaiable 2 days after I finally decide on getting Hughs??? Terri

It's my rural location. All my neighbors have very slow dialup speeds also. But I wouldn't change my location for surburbia or a city for anything! One learns to compromise on the not so important things.

Here's my speed using Hughes satellite.
I've been using it for over 6 years now .Have been happy with the speed but the only thing I sometimes have a problem with is when I bump up against their maximum download I think it's something like 150 megs per day.{{gwi:1437535}}
Hope this helps ya.

your download speed is not too far off of what I average on att yahoo dsl basic plan, which is about 750kps. I would google the phrase: tweeks for satellite internet connection, or something of the sort. It seems my connection got faster when I downloaded the TCP Optimizer, and set it to Optimize connection. Before I was averaging about 5-600 kps, now it seems to be about 7-800 kps. It also has a lot to do with how many people are on line, etc. so I'm not sure how much it really helped, but it does seem faster. It says it is for DSL and satellite connections. The link is below, you might want to try it out.

Here is a link that might be useful: TCP Optimizer

here is mine.

Thanks Ross for the info but was already using TCP Optimizer.
My latest speeds are a little faster then yesterday.
{{gwi:1437537}}
Wow Patches you got a fast connection there. Do you have an upgraded connection or what?My speeds have always been in the 500 to 800kbps range since I got Hughes Net.
A good resource is Broadband Reports.
Hope this helps ya.

Here are my latest results using Speakeasy:

Last Result:
Download Speed: 538 kbps (67.3 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 51 kbps (6.4 KB/sec transfer rate)

I am on the Value Pak, the cheapest plan. Now speeds do slow down in the evenings when lots of people are using.

No up graded connection,just what it's been since i
got hooked up. Soooo much different then dial up.

I just can't bring myself to pay the price for satellite. Dial-up is the only other option (And only 1 provider with one access number available).

Modems do make a difference. I have a great v.92 modem and always connect at 46.6. Hooked up DD's laptop - exact same line - I unplugged from my machine - and it was significantly lower!

Wow, this forum is great & very good info. I decided to stay with the Hughe's package I ordered to be installed Friday. Terri

I just don't get why satellite internet is relatively slow compared to dsl and cable. Satellite technology carries millions of live TV broadcasts all around the world everyday, probably billions of overseas and overland phone conversations... I would think it would be one of the fastest means of moving bandwidth from one place to another...

I got my hughes net installed & I absolutely Love it. Thanks for all of the help on this subject. I am more than happy with it so far. Terri

Ross, there is a lag time in the relay of the signal from the ground gateways to a satellite some 22,000 miles high and back to earth again. This is why if you have two TVs side by side and one is receiving a signal from an off-air antenna and the other one by satellite, you'll see a visible lag in the one served by satellite. Also, this method for Internet service is very expensive to operate, so if you want service the equivalent of dsl or cable, you'd have to pay at least $399 per month and up.

I have two TVs hooked up to my satellite. The one in
the kitchen runs a little ahead of one in living room.
First time i noticed it i was watching a game show and
knew who the winner was several seconds before DH did in
living room.