Satellite Broadband

Satellite Broadband can be a last resort for you if you are unable to get ADSL delivered to your premises.

There are two basic forms of satellite technology - one way and two way.

One way satellite broadband requires you use a normal modem for dial up access to an ISP plus a box which links your PC to a satellite dish. This dial up link is used to communicate all of your information TO the ISP. The ISP processes your requests and then sends the data you requested down to your PC over a satellite link. As most of the data created when surfing is coming from the Internet to your PC this can work well for some users. Some systems can even take their satellite feed from an existing Sky dish.

Whilst the one way system can be OK for people doing a few mainly text emails and casual browsing for business users with requirements for higher upload rates a two way link might be more appropriate. With a two way link a slightly larger dish is installed which has a transmitter for sending data up to your ISP. Both sets of traffic are therefore travelling via this path. Two way satellite connections are also always on, unlike the one way links which require you to initiate the dial up connection.

Unfortunately the laws of physics dictate that even at the speed of light it does take a significant fraction of a second to reach the satellite from the ISP ground station and to get back down to your PC from the satellite. This does not affect big file downloads for instance as much as web browsing because software will start sending all of the requested file immediately whilst every image or object in a web page must be separately requested - each having it's own delay. Most satellite ISPs have software to try to work around the issue.

Two way satellite also requires expensive hardware to be installed (from just under £2,000 but grants might be available) and this includes a broadcast licence for the dish (you may have trouble if you are close to an airport). Rentals start from about £59 per month plus VAT.

My own personal experience was that satellite was a huge improvement over dial up, but once I could move to ADSL I did and the improvement was well worth while. I would describe satellite as a car with a high top speed but poor acceleration whilst ADSL is much nippier off the mark (and cheaper too). I would have no hesitation in recommending my old ISP Remote data Services.

In all satellite broadband, even two way, is not as fast as terrestrial ADSL but it is a damn site faster than dial up and if it is the only game in town then it might just be right for you.

Andrews & Arnold ADSL Tech Support

We are currently working with Andrews & Arnold to install ADSL.

Whilst we are not actually getting anywhere with the ADSL installation I am very impressed with the A&A technical support team. I have spoken with a couple of their engineers and they are always technically knowledgeable. One engineer seems to be assigned to a case so I can always talk to the same person rather than explaining over and over that I have already rebooted the router.

Currently BT have placed a fail against the line even though the length is listed as just 5.3KM which should be within limits for ADSL.

They are also great at calling me with status updates - even if it just to say that they have not heard anything from BT yet but they are chasing. A&A are reluctant to let this go and are pursuing BT for further investigation and still have some options to pursue.

I obviously cannot comment on the quality of their broadband (yet) but I can say they give excellent Technical Support!