Anyone used DirecWav broadband?

[dimmreaper]

Here is the skinny on my broadband prospects:

DSL: Not currently available, PhoCo has no plans to make it available anytime soon.

Cable: I can get Cable TV, but apparently "the infrastructure just isn't there" for Cable broadband, and won't be there for "another 18 months minimum".

Satellite: I can get DirecWav two way satellite broadband for $70 a month(with one year contract), plus a couple of hundred to have it installed.

So has anyone used the DirecWav service? If so, what are your thoughts?

[Áedán]

I've never used DirecWay, so I couldn't comment on their service, but there are always some issues with Satellite:-

Latency:
Most satellite connections add 200-250ms worth of latency on the connection. If the service is uplinked via the satellite, it'll add another 200ms on to the uplink. After all, the signal has to travel 44,600miles to get from you to the internet, and that's just one way! If you're looking to play on-line games, then satellite is beaten hands down by 56K modems!

Weather:
Heavy rain and thick clouds make it harder for the microwaves to travel between the dish and the satellite. On the other hand, if the signal is strong enough where you are, it won't make a blind bit of difference. The installer should be able to give you more info on this one. Also, things like snow/ice on the dish will reduce the signal strength. Again, the installer should be able to provide guidance.

Solar Interference:
When the sun passes directly behind the satellite there is a tendancy for high levels of interference. This will happen twice a year! With a VSAT setup, that's probably a window of around 10minutes on 5 days during spring and again during autumn (fall).

DirecWay is a VSAT (Very Small Apature Terminal) system, so the technology is pretty well understood. Many news feeds (Reuters and others) use VSAT technology to provide news to their clients.

AidanII

[Lionfish]

yesterday I was also looking into the same setup, diff company though.

No experiance with your's though.

But like AidanII said about the dish is right hehe, I have Direct TV and do get those problems with it @ time's.

But it was the cost per month and setup that made me stay with my Dial-up yuk

I dislike my dialup but I like my $$$$ more :-D

Just stick it out:nervous:

[Holst]

There was an article on www.overclockers.com about satalite broadband.

I cant remember the company but he had a very bad experience with it.

[LutaWicasa]

Go over to DSLReports.com Seems that most of what is said about DirecWav isn't too rosey.

[Daniel ~]

Originally posted by Holst
There was an article on www.overclockers.com about satalite broadband.

I cant remember the company but he had a very bad experience with it.

(cough) I happen to have written that particular artical (Cough) It was direct PC. The real problem I had was that their setup sucked big time. In principle, if you KNOW your a long way away from cable or DSL this could be a MUCH better solution than a 56K modem!!

My basic feeling is that DSL (if you have a fair to good service" or CABLE
would be much better. Were I to lose Cable for even a month I'd crank mine up again and see if they've strightened themselves out.

But as it is an expencive to set up and expencive monthly, it is superior only to modems, but enough so that if you can offord it, I'd go for it.

Of course, online gameing will well and truly suck due to the big bounce.

[dimmreaper]

Thanks guys.

I was familiar with the general problems, as well as Daniels~ problems in particular.

A friend of mine has the one way setup with dial-up upload. He lives about 10 miles from here, and has had good luck(though we did have to reposition his dish for a stronger signal in the fall).

I think I'm gonna go for it, but I'm not sure when. Maybe this spring/summer.