Satellite Internet Service

Satellite Internet service is used in locations where terrestrial Internet access is not available and in locations which move frequently. Internet access via satellite is available globally, including vessels at sea. A satellite installation can be used even where the most basic utilities are lacking, if there is a generator or battery power supply that can produce enough electricity to run a desktop computer system.

There are three types of satellite Internet service:

• One-way multicast: used for IP multicast-based data, audio and video distribution. Note that most Internet protocols will not work correctly over one-way access, since they require a return channel.
• One-way with terrestrial return: used with traditional dial-up access to the Internet, with outbound data travelling through a telephone modem, but downloads are sent via satellite at a speed near that of broadband Internet access.
• Two-way satellite access: allows upload and download data communications.

In a two-way satellite Internet connection, the upstream data is usually sent at a slower speed than the downstream data arrives. Thus, the connection is asymmetric. A dish antenna, measuring about two feet high by three feet wide by three feet deep, transmits and receives signals.

The nature of the satellite connection is good for Web browsing and for downloading of files. Because of long latency compared with purely land-based systems, interactive applications such as online gaming are not compatible with satellite networks.

Upload speed is about one-tenth of the 500 kbps download speed. DSL and Cable have higher download speeds, but satellite systems are about 10 times faster than a normal dial up connection.

To find a Satellite Internet provider visit our Satellite Internet providers page. There you can find a list of national Satellite Internet providers.