There is a big misconception on the satellite broadband internet services. The two major providers DirectWay or DirectDuo and Earthlink both transfer data on what is called the “k” band. These are the only two, currently, that provide 2-way (upload and download) communications through the client dish (dish connected to your house or building). The misconception or fact that most consumers don’t realize is that, though the download speeds are extremely fast, the upload speeds have a ceiling of 50-60 kb/sec.
The salesman from ATC was so eagerly forthcoming on the fact that the satellite systems can reach T1 (1-1.5 mb/sec) downloads, which is 100% accurate. What he failed to divulge was the limit of the upload speed. This is a common fact with sat. broadband connections, the companies themselves will tell you when you call and ask about the service that they can’t reach upload speeds faster than 60k. The reason why the sat. systems can’t upload faster is due to the “k” band on which the data in transferred. Like DirectTV and DishNetwork Digital Satellite TV systems the “k” band has a certain power requirement to transfer data. The actual satellites that are in orbit can transmit at bigger decimals because they have larger power supplies. The client dishes that we have mounted to our homes can’t produce that same amount of power required to upload data at the higher speeds. The amount of power required by the client dishes to upload at DSL/Cable modem speeds to would be enough to kill a small animal close to the dish.
There are, however, companies advertising that they are launching satellites currently and that the systems will be operational in the 2004-2005 time frame that will tramsit on a different band other than “k” that can solve the power requirement and provide the 2-way communications with DSL/Cable modem upload speeds. For the mean time it is not cost affective for the small business office that is an appraisal firm to buy into the satellite broadband hype. This link will take you to the Earthlink site that lists their prices:
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https://register.earthlink.net/cgi-bin/wsis...1a3a6901c96c9c2]
, installation of the dish is in upwards of $500.00, and that is only for the dish and what equipment they have this doesn’t include the extra $500-$600 in equipment like routers, firewalls, switches to properly network a small office to connect to the internet.
Also, I don’t know about your appraisal office but in ours after an appraisal is printed in “pdf” format it can reach upwards of 1-5 mega bytes and with upload speeds comparable to dial-up of 50-60k that the sat. have this can take a long time to send. Never fear though there is hope of the rural appraisal office that isn’t so fortunate to have DSL or Cable modem service available in your area. All over the country small companies call “WISP” or “Wireless Internet Service Providers” are popping up and bringing the internet to the rural community. This wireless service is what’s called “Peer-to-Peer” the company mounts a radio antenna similar to smaller versions of radar antennas, and points to a broadcasting tower miles away. This connection can’t be inhibited by weather like the sat. systems and has no latency. Also, with the right type of wireless network the WISP can transfer at rates higher than DSL/Cable providers (possibility of speeds higher than 5-10 mb/sec). You generally pay for the amount of bandwidth you want and can usually customize your download and upload speeds. The installation cost are lower in the $100-$200 range, and some WISP rent the equipment to you so you don’t have to own this ugly antenna.
Anyway current sat. broadband connections aren’t cost effective for the general small appraisal office. If you can’t get DSL/Cable in your area definitely investigate wireless it’s been a life saver for our office!
