Comparison of Satellite-Based Internet Service

by Shannon Leigh O'Neil, Demand Media

Satellite-based Internet uses orbiting satellites to transmit data.

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Satellite-based Internet service uses satellites to receive and transmit data to your home. The demand for satellite-based Internet service has risen in recent years, as more residential homes and businesses opt for satellite. Because consumer interest in high-speed broadband, smoother connections and unlimited use is ever-increasing, so is the quantity of service providers to meet these demands. Satellite-based Internet providers offer reasonable rates on high-speed Internet, even without a bundled package. Once you determine what level of service you require, compare prices to find affordable satellite-based Internet in your area.

HughesNet

HughesNet provides three satellite-based Internet packages, all with different data transmission speeds and download allowances. Every HughesNet plan delivers always-on broadband satellite Internet. HughesNet Basic affords you a maximum download speed of 1 Mbps and an upload speed of 200 Kbps. You receive 5 free e-mail accounts. Power 150 allows for a download speed of 1.5 Mbps, an upload speed of 250 Kbps and 5 e-mail accounts. Power 200 gives you a maximum download speed of 2 Mbps and an upload speed of 300 Kbps. You get 10 e-mail accounts. These plans permit download allowances of 200, 300 and 400 MB respectively, which is the set amount of data transmission you are able to use within a 24-hour time period. Free technical support is provided with all plans. Each HughesNet package requires a 24-month contract.

SkyWay USA

SkyWay USA provides four satellite-based Internet plans: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. All plans come with a free self-installation alternative or paid professional installation. The Bronze plan allows download speeds up to 384 Kbps. The Silver plan allows download speeds up to 512 Kbps. The Gold plan provides download speeds up to 768 Kbps. The Platinum plan affords you download speeds up to 1.5 Mbps. Downloading of data is transmitted through the satellite dish, while uploading is sent by a dial-up modem. You get five free e-mail accounts with all plans. Customer service and technical support are also available. Each SkyWay USA satellite-based Internet plan requires a 24-month contract.

WildBlue

WildBlue provides three satellite-based Internet packages, all with no-cost standard installation. Each plan provides high-speed broadband Internet service. WildBlue Value allows for maximum download speeds of 512 Kbps and upload speeds of 128 Kbps. You receive five e-mail accounts included. WildBlue Select permits download speeds of 1 Mbps and upload speeds of 200 Kbps. With this selection, you will also get five free e-mail accounts. WildBlue Pro offers maximum download speeds of 1.5 Mbps and upload speeds of 256 Kbps. You will receive 10 e-mail accounts. Free antivirus and anti-spyware protection is also included in the monthly rate of each plan. All WildBlue plans require a 24-month contract.

StarBand

StarBand (by Spacenet) provides three satellite-based Internet plans, each offering a StarBundle option that gives you free installation after rebate. Every StarBand plan provides always-on broadband satellite Internet. StarBand's Nova 500 allows for download speeds of 512 Kbps and upload speeds of 100 Kbps. You get five free e-mail accounts with storage of 7 GB per account. Nova 1000 affords you download speeds of 1 Mbps and upload speeds of 125 Kbps. With this selection, you will get 10 e-mail accounts with storage of 7 GB per account. Nova 1500 offers maximum download speeds of 1.5 Mbps and upload speeds of 256 Kbps. You'll receive 15 e-mail accounts with storage of 7 GB per account. Technical and customer support are included in the monthly rate of each plan. All StarBand plans require a 24-month contract.

References

  • HughesNet | High-Speed Satellite Internet Provider
  • SkyWay USA | Satellite Internet Service Provider
  • WildBlue | High-Speed Satellite Internet Provider
  • StarBand | Broadband Satellite Internet Provider

Resources

  • Federal Communications Commission; Getting Broadband
  • National Telecommunications and Information Administration; National Broadband Map
  • Federal Communications Commission; Telecommunications Service for Rural America

About the Author

Shannon Leigh O'Neil, a New York City-based arts and culture writer, has been writing professionally since 2008. Her articles have appeared in "GO Magazine," "The New York Blade" and "HX Magazine," as well as online media. O'Neil holds a Master of Arts in modern art history from the City College of New York, where she also studied French and minored in classical languages.

Photo Credits

  • Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images