Satellite Vs. Cable Internet
High-speed Internet access was once the province of large businesses. However, over the past few years high-speed Internet access has been made widely available to the consumer market. Two services in particular have been successful: Cable Internet and Satellite Internet.
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Cable Internet
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Cable Internet service is provided through a local cable company, such as Time Warner, Cox or Comcast in the United States. Cable Internet service provides an always-on Internet connection. Cable Internet requires a "wired" connection, whether through copper wiring or via fiber-optic lines, for data transmission from the cable service provider to the consumer's location.
Depending on the cable Internet service provider, Internet upload and download speeds can vary depending upon how many users are utilizing the service at any given time. Cable Internet upload/download maximum speeds can vary depending on the service provider, and on what technology (copper cable vs. fiber-optic cable) is used to deliver the Internet service. For example, in September 2009, Comcast offered cable Internet service that delivered 50 Mbps (megabits per second) maximum download speed, with 10 Mbps maximum upload speed, as their fastest package.
Satellite Internet
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Satellite Internet service is provided through satellite television or satellite Internet providers. Satellite Internet service relies upon signals sent from the Internet service provider to a satellite, and then the satellite transmits the Internet service to a satellite dish that is compatible with that company's signal. Because a satellite signal can be received nearly anywhere in the world that has a clear view of the sky, a satellite dish can be set up almost anywhere.
While satellite Internet service is considered high-speed Internet service, the upload and download speeds are not as fast as wired Internet connections such as cable Internet service. In September 2009, WildBlue Communications, Inc., offered Internet access with 1.5 Mbps download speed, and 256 Kbps (kilobits per second, where 1 Mbps = 1000 Kbps) upload speed, as their fastest package.
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Geography and Availability
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Cable Internet service is offered by several cable companies. However, if your business or residence is not in the cable company's service area, cable Internet will not be available to you. Even in some areas where cable television is available, cable Internet service may not yet be available.
Satellite Internet may not work in large cities or where there are obstacles that block the view of the sky even partially (such as trees, buildings or tall fences). If a satellite dish cannot receive a data signal from the satellite, then the satellite Internet service will not work.
However, satellite Internet service is typically available to anyone with a clear view of the sky, thus making for a larger service area than cable Internet service.
Cost
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On a per-megabit basis, satellite Internet service is more expensive than its cable Internet counterpart. In September 2009, WildBlue charged $79.95 per month for 1.5 Mbps download speed / 256 Kbps upload speed Internet service.
During that same month, Comcast charged $99.95 for 50 Mbps download speed / 10 Mbps upload speed Internet service.
Which service is right for me?
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In a rural area, satellite Internet service may be the only high-speed Internet service available. In a built-up urban area, cable Internet service may be available, whereas satellite Internet service will not function properly (if at all).
If both services are available in your area, cable Internet service is going to be less expensive per megabit from month to month. However, in most areas in the United States, one service or the other will typically be available---but not both.
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