Comparing Satellite Internet Services

One of the many types of broadband Internet access available today is satellite Internet service. While it may be slower than many fiber-optic, cable, or DSL services, it has the great advantage of being able to be used just about anywhere where there is a clear view of the southern sky. In many rural locations, satellite service may be the only choice that is faster than dial-up Internet access.

Instructions

1. Find the various satellite providers that offer service in your area. Many have online applications that allow you to enter a ZIP code to see if your area is eligible for their service.

2. Determine the pricing tiers offered by each satellite Internet provider. Most of the companies offer several different plans, depending on how much bandwidth you will use from month to month. If you plan on using the service for surfing the web and checking email, one of the lower tiers of service may be suitable for your needs. If you routinely download large files, however, you may need to upgrade to one of the more expensive pricing tiers.

3. Compare the bandwidth offered at each tier from company to company. While many services offer a similar maximum download rate, the upload rates tend to vary considerably between providers, and even pricing tiers. Those who need to upload files to the Internet, such as photos or content for web sites, should pay special attention to these rates.

4. Read the user agreements for each of the satellite internet services you are considering. Each service has what is called a “Fair Access Policy,” which limits how much you may upload or download from the internet on a monthly basis. Each service has different upload and download limits, and the limits may be calculated in radically different ways. For instance, some services monitor your bandwidth over a 24-hour period, where others monitor it over a 30-day period. It is much easier to reach the upload limit when an average of 24 hours is taken, especially when downloading a single large file. When an average is taken over 30 days, however, the large file would be averaged out over that 30-day period, and it would be harder to reach the download limit.

5. Determine how the equipment is to be obtained. Some providers require that the equipment be purchased up front, and the price is usually several hundred dollars. Other services, however, allow the equipment to be paid for incrementally, by adding a small amount to each month’s bill.

6. Find out if the service provider requires a set contract period. Most satellite Internet services require a two-year service agreement, and the penalties for early cancellation will vary from provider to provider.

7. Ask about the details of the installation before ordering the service. The waiting periods for an installation date will vary from company to company. In addition, because many satellite Internet services use subcontractors to install the service, you may also need to contact the contractor for specific installation details, such as the exact installation date or where the dish will be mounted. Some companies charge extra fees for abnormal installations, such as pole mounting.

8. Read any available customer reviews of the service in which you are interested. Though many people will only review a product if they are disappointed with it, the reviews may offer some insight into any problems that others have experienced. The reviews will also offer you a glimpse into how the company handles such problems.