Satellite Internet Connections: Who provides Satellite Internet Access?
Satellites have been used for a wide variety of service. Satellites we’re first developed by the military as a stable platform for communications and relay of secure information. Satellite technology has since been developed for civilian and commercial use. Applications for this technology include large data transfers and TV or radio broadcasts worldwide.
Since then, satellite technology has found our homes through satellite TV and more recently satellite internet access. Major ISP’s (Internet Service Providers) have been using satellites as a means of communication with other ISP’s located all over the world. Together with large underground sea cables which stretch around the world high-speed data transfers are done with orbiting satellites.
Satellite Internet Access Providers
Satellite Internet service has been growing in popularity today. Mainstream internet connections like DSL and Cable internet has been the backbone for internet services. Overhead costs like launching a satellite or leasing satellites for high speed data transfer has proved too costly in the past. With the introduction of technological improvements which have satellite equipment a lot cheaper, satellite technology is slowly creeping into the homes of average consumers.
Access to high speed information is a necessity for modern living. Keeping in touch with friends and communicating with business partners are essential for everyday life. Satellite technology is a great way of providing these services to locations which could not be reached by conventional methods such as telephone wires or cables.
Large communication companies like mobile cellphone networks or cable companies have been quick to address these needs by providing satellite connection to out of coverage customers. Satellite technology for home use has been available for a long time. Satellites have been used for watching your favorite cable channels. The difference between satellite cable and satellite internet services is that internet connections just don’t receive but transmit signals as well. Going online and exchanging information requires feedback and your satellite must not only channel data to your computer but also send out information.
Satellite Internet Access Providers offers customers the ability to go online anywhere and anytime. Satellite internet use falls behind DSL and Cable internet. Pricing is the main concern with satellite internet use. But costs are steadily trickling down and more or less competitive with standard DSL and Cable providers.
There are a lot of companies who provide Satellite Internet Access. The two major Satellite Internet services are Hughes (DirectPC/ DirectWay) and Gilat (Starband). A great number of those who provide Satellite Internet Access lease their services from these two companies. These providers mainly offer marketing and technical support to their customers.
Below is a list of some of the Major satellite Internet Access providers in the market today:
- Earthlink
- Galaxy Broadband
- Ground Control
- Net2dish
- Starband
- DirectWay
- MotoSat
- Isat
- Skycasters
- WildBlue
There are still some places in the world where internet access through DSL, Cable and dial-up is not available. Internet services are unavailable due to network congestion, geography or distance. Satellite Internet Access providers provide these users to connect to the internet when conventional services are absent.
Satellite Internet Access is similar to how your satellite TV works. Connecting to the internet is simply done by setting up a satellite dish for receiving and transmitting data. While Satellite Internet Access has its share of shortcomings, they offer people a means of getting connected when there is no other option available.