Are you looking into subscribing to satellite internet?
If so, you might want to read this piece for all the things you should know about committing to satellite internet for your home – or your motorhome.
Satellite internet is a popular choice for people who live in remote rural areas or fulltimers i.e. people who live in RVs and are always on the go. As an internet technology, it is pretty revolutionary when you think about it – A satellite in space is giving you internet signals.
Let us get into all there is to know about satellite internet.
Understanding Satellite Internet
Satellite internet uses a geostationary satellite in space to transmit the internet signal from the internet service provider to a dish installed on the roof of your home. The ISP sends the internet signal to the satellite stationed in space, which then sends it to you. The dish installed on the roof of your home catches the signal and transfers it to the modem connected to your computer.
Satellite internet is accessible in places where there is a clear unobstructed view of the sky. For this kind of internet technology, the distance between the internet consumer and the internet provider does not matter. That is because the internet signal is already traveling a big distance to reach the satellite and then to the user to provide internet connectivityconnectivity.
Satellite internet offers speeds upto 220 Mbps.
Satellite Internet: Cost
Satellite internet is one of the pricey internet technologies available in the US. The reason is the high operational cost and the fact that a satellite is doing your internet bidding for you. On average, a satellite internet plan will cost you easily over $100. On top of that, there is a high installation cost and equipment fee, even if it is for one time only.
Moreover, if you are looking for plans with better download speeds, you should expect the per-month cost to rise. Lastly, in the case of data caps, you can expect more charges if you end up using more than the limit.
Satellite Internet: Availability
Availability is an area where satellite internet is a straight-up winner. Satellite internet easily dominates other internet technologies like Fiber, Cable, and DSL in coverage and availability. In fact, it is the only internet technology available in all 50 US states. This is why it is such a popular choice for people living in remote areas. The reason for satellite internet winning at availability is due to so many geostationary satellites being above the US, in space.
Furthermore, its lack of dependence on physical infrastructure like fiber optics or copper coaxial cables is also the reason for its wide availability. All it needs is an unobstructed view of the sky for internet connectivity. This is because the internet signal travels in straight lines and cannot bypass obstructions like trees, buildings, etc.
Satellite Internet: Equipment
Since satellite internet is not dependent on physical infrastructure, it needs dedicated equipment to function smoothly. You can either self-install this equipment or get it professionally installed for a fee. Most satellite internet providers have equipment installation services.
This equipment includes:
Satellite Dish: this is the dish that is installed on top of your home. Its job is to catch the signals from the satellite. It needs to be put up in a place with a clear view of the sky. These have a transceiver installed in them which allows them to send and receive signals to the satellite.
Modem: The modem is installed inside of your house and its only job is to convert the signal from the satellite into an internet signal.
Router: A router, just like any other router, distributes the internet signal to all of the devices present inside your home.
Satellite Internet: Downsides
Like everything else, satellite internet has a few downsides that cannot be ignored.
An important one is that satellite internet has high latency. This is because of the long distance the internet signal has to travel, roughly 23,000 miles from the satellite. Despite the signal traveling at the speed of light, the round trip from space causes a noticeable delay. This delay is the reason satellite internet has high internet latency. This makes it a tough choice for feats like online gaming and video calling.
Apart from latency, satellite internet is highly prone to disruption. This is because the signal travels in straight lines. So it is unable to bypass anything that comes between the satellite and the dish. Moreover, it is also prone to getting disrupted by bad weather. Strong winds, rain, and snow can make it difficult for the signal to reach you. This results in constant disrupted connectivity and frequent connection errors.
Other disadvantages of satellite internet are data caps, lengthy contracts, and slower speeds than other internet technologies.
To sum it all up, satellite internet is a great option for those looking for internet in remote and rural areas. With no cable infrastructure around, they can enjoy the internet privileges as much as the cable internet users. Despite the disadvantages of satellite internet, the silver lining is that satellite internet providers are constantly working to cater to these disadvantages. For instance, to solve the frequent disruption problems, some ISPs provide fusion plans that combine satellite and fixed wireless internet. This basically helps satellite internet users to get faster speeds through wired connections.
