posted on August 24, 2001 08:47:11 AM
And if you do, do you think it's worth it?
We live in the sticks, well beyond the reach of the local cable network, and FAR from any hope of getting DSL within the next 10 or 15 years...
So I've been looking at satellite as an option. DirectPC would be okay, but it still relies on the phone lines for uploading. As near as I can tell, Starband is the only 'all satellite' option available.
posted on August 24, 2001 11:15:29 AM
Don't know who your ISP is but Earthlink has a big sale on the Sat dishes right now. Almost half of what they were back in May. My only question about Sat dishes is this: I have DirecTV and EVERY time it rains the service goes out and says searching for satellite. Will this happen with the Internet as well? I mean it happens EVERY raindrop!!
I have DishNetwork and even in a DRIVING rainstorm, my satellite service (tv) works fine. Since I live in the Pacific Northwest, believe me I have the experience to have fully tested it. <smile> You may need to re-align your dish. Check your signal strength.
arewyn:
have you considered ISDN? In my area it is cheaper than satellite. Starband is 80 bucks a month! Love the idea but waiting for the price to drop....
posted on August 24, 2001 02:43:39 PM
Got Starband April of 2001 and LOVE it. Live in "Hooterville" also, can't even get voice mail here but dish network works GREAT. No complaints with either. Not cheap to get hooked up, but worth it. Networked with my Sons computer, have to use Winproxy. Starband cost $60 a month, but no second phone line expense. Support is good, already got free upgrade modem to 360. Semi-rookie with computers but will answer questions if you have any.
[ edited by sandrajb on Aug 24, 2001 03:08 PM ]
posted on August 24, 2001 05:33:30 PM new
retailguy:
I did a dish pointing check on my system and it said it is off a bit but I have NO IDEA how to realign it! Maybe I'll have to get my daughter's boyfriend to come and see if he can figure it out as he messes with their dish settings all the time.
I tried ISDN back in January 2001 and could never find a modem that would work with Sprint's ISDN service and also work with Windows ME. Had to give up the whole thing. Sprint, the modem manufacturer, Earthlink and I tried for 2 solid weeks to get it to work and it would crash the whole operating system because Eicon did not support Windows ME.
I heard that several people, including Dish Network, are trying to buy DirecTV. Also I see where DirecTV is starting to offer DSL service in some areas. Will probably NEVER come to my area as it is just too rural here.
In the evenings I can barely even get on the Net let alone get anything done. Have NEVER connected faster than 26,400!!!! Bummer!
posted on August 24, 2001 09:59:14 PM new
I've had the Starband modem for nearly a year - second one installed in Oklahoma - and I must say going back to dial-up would probably kill me. I live on the outskirts of out back of beyond, just this side of the edge of reason, and it was really the only option. If I just try to call the neighbor up the road on the telephone it's long distance.
I was paying 18.95 a a month for unlimited dial-up through Billy Bob's Phone Co. and was constantly getting disconnected while reading a page for longer than five minutes or trying to download even a small file. Or I couldn't get on. Or it just flat wouldn't work at all. Unlimited? Unlimited p*ss off, yeah. Plus, anyone who tried to call if I was on would get a busy signal.
I decided that I had to have a second phone line (another $18.00 a month) and just incidentally figured it was also time for a new computer. Instead of giving Billy Bob more money, I chose to have my new computer built with the Starband internal modem and I've never regretted the move. Expense? I was looking at $40.00 a month for the dial-up and two phone lines anyway. And that other twenty bucks pays for the time saved on downloads. Whenever I see the "Estimated download time 6 minutes" and have the file in one, I feel like they've earned my money.
Go to http://www.starband.com and check it out. They have an external modem now that will work with all computers. Just had Echo Star buy controlling interest and they're going to put up another satellite. Don't know if that's good or bad for the future, but right now, it's great. Also, you can get a splitter and get T.V. through them as well- I hear.
As for rain fade - I usually turn everything off during our patented Oklahoma storms due to lightening, but I have actually used it a couple of times during a downpour and experienced a brief fade. Spring and Fall there are sun interference events that last about 30 minutes because the sun blinds the satellite. I find these things to be easily digestible in exchange for all the bennies.
[ edited by yorequest on Aug 24, 2001 10:07 PM ]
posted on August 25, 2001 11:17:41 AM new
"I did a dish pointing check on my system and it said it is off a bit but I have NO IDEA how to realign it! "
Well, my dish has degree coordinates printed on the side that are fairly accurate. You'll need a compass and the manual that came with your receiver. The dish needs to be pointed at the coordinates listed in the book for your satellite. I'd start by setting the coordinates on the scale on the dish itself and then raise/lower based on connection. It'll take two people, one to align the dish, and one to watch the alignment screen on the tv, but it's worth the effort!
As to starband, I can't wait until they get price competitive. Quite frankly, I'd love to tell Ma Bell to take a HIKE. Between my mobile phone and starband, I wouldn't need a Verizon telephone in my house. I kid you not when I tell you that the ONLY reason I have a Verizon phone is for DSL. I've already PERMANENTLY banished the cable guy from my home. I hope the PHONE COMPANY is next. <Smile>
I LOVE dishnetwork. It isn't cheap, but the service is VERY reliable, channel selection is AWESOME, and picture quality is beyond compare. I'm happy echostar is investing in starband, and to EVERYONE else on the list, SIGN UP, that'll boost the subscription base, and lower the cost until old cheapskate me can finally sign up! LOL
posted on August 25, 2001 05:51:04 PM new
Thankyou for starting this thread. We would really like to find out more information about the satellite internet connection.
We live in a remote area of NY. Our phone is on a party line and we still have to give OUR phone number to an operator when we make a long distance call!
Needless to say this puts a damper on our internet surfing.
We do have Dish Network TV but would like to know how to compare Starband with other satellite internet options.
Thanks for any information you can give us!
posted on August 25, 2001 07:57:21 PM new
I'm in redneck part of the Oregon Cascade Mountains. What a jump from New Joysey. I would love to find out if my C-Band Satalite works with Starband, anybody have a guess? It took me a year to figure out how to work this 8 foot monster. I have a feeling I need a different antena setting.
I live on the outskirts of out back of beyond, just this side of the edge of reason, and it was really the only option. If I just try to call the neighbor up the road on the telephone it's long distance.
