Thank you for the comprehensive review. That is just what I was looking for. I'll check out the Broadband Reports site, and also the possibility of wild blue.
We have a WISP in the area, but they don't plan to expand in the direction I live for another year or so. They tested the signal there and found it too weak to be reliable. I have VERY fast DSL right now (I'm only a few blocks from the switching station, so it is VERY VERY fast -- better than the local Cable). I'm not looking forward to this part of the move; however, I love the challenge of the new house (it is a berm house that needs some tlc -- but really low utility bills). WE have a WildBlue dealer in the area according to their website, so I'll get in touch with him. Thanks again for the overview and suggestions. Sharol -----Original Message----- From: Windows Home/SOHO [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bill Hatcher Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 6:21 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: satellite Internet -----Original Message----- From: Windows Home/SOHO [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Sharol Cutrell _____________ Hello Sharol - Before you decide to go with any flavor of satellite, make sure you check to see if there might be a WISP (Wireless Internet Service Provider) in your vicinity. Those things work quite well out in the flat lands, so it is not inconceivable. My eldest daughter lives in KS, in the vicinity of Harper, which is some 38 miles south of Wichita and there is a WISP there that provides her service around 12 to 15 miles out of town. If you can get it, you should be MUCH happier with it than satellite, although there are a few bad WISPs around too. Always that rotten apple... As I have mentioned in other posts, I have been using the Direcway DW6000 (as of 1 September DW now sells the DW7000) satellite system for just over 13 months now. In my experience, it most surely is NOT broadband but it is indeed a very viable alternative to dial up. As with most electronics, a properly installed and grounded system is imperative for proper operation. The best source of information on satellite internet I have found is at: http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/sat I strongly suggest you spend a fair amount of time on that site, reading the FAQs, which are comprehensive and well written, albeit occasionally a bit out of date. That is understandable, for this is a relatively new and evolving technology, and as with this forum, there isn't any "paid hired hands!" You should also read the forum posts, preferably skimming back a few months. There is a wealth of information there, again, similar to reading past posts on this forum. A lot of chaff sometimes hiding the wheat, but there are a lot of real kernels of wisdom there too. Specifically to satellite alternatives, the 3 main players that provide consumer oriented systems are Direcway, Starband, and Wild Blue. DW is the big dawg in the field and has the deepest pockets, but many people absolutely HATE their outsourced (India) support. IMO, part of that is warranted, but a lot of it is plain old xenophobia, pure and simple. Starband has been around for a while, but they have been in and out of bankruptcy a couple of times. Some feel that their survival is problematical. Both DW and SB currently operate in the Ku band. ************SNIPPED to please the list*********** Bill Hatcher - [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- -- ---------------------------------------- To Change your email Address for this list, send the following message: CHANGE WIN-HOME your_old_address your_new_address to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Note carefully that both old and new addresses are required.
