There are many ways to achieve a broadband Internet connection but satellite broadband access is the best way in remote areas where conventional connection methods may not be possible. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites already provide signals for television and telephone services and in recent times providers have begun to use these satellites to be able to download and upload information from the Internet. Broadband allows high-speed Internet access that is significantly faster than old style âdial-upâ access where a telephone line is used to connect to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) thus tying up the line while the Internet is in use. Broadband connection speeds vary depending on the type provided by the ISP but can range from 200 kbps per second to 6 Mbps per second, much faster than dial-up speeds. Usually downloading from the Internet to a home computer is faster than uploading from the computer to the Internet. Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) and Wireless broadband are the most popular type of Internet access in the home. DSL transmits data over pre-existing telephone wires in the home. Wireless fidelity (WiFi) does not involve wires and can be mobile or fixed: fixed wireless connections provide Internet broadband services in isolated areas where other types would be too costly.
Satellite broadband access is another type of wireless Internet access where the user must have a satellite dish or base station, a satellite Internet modem and a clear line of sight to the ISP satellite. The dish and modem can be fairly costly but worth it when no other type of Internet access is available in isolated or rural areas. Satellite broadband access can be affected by the weather; extreme climate conditions can render the user without connection. Moisture and various forms of precipitation (rain or snow) can interfere with the signal, an unfortunate interruption known as ârain fadeâ. There must be a clear line of sight from the dish to the satellite, even vegetation can interfere with the signal, if a dish is installed in the winter the user must be aware of future foliage growth in the spring and summer. The speed of the satellite broadband access depends on the service package from the ISP but typically the user can expect a download speed of 1 Mbps with upload speed of 200 kbps. This speed is slower than other wireless or cable services but still considerably faster than dial-up.
The main advantage to satellite broadband access is that no cables are needed, and so an Internet connection is possible on a ship, a train, even in the Antarctic. Businesses that depend on using the Internet need a back-up connection if land-based connections break down. Satellite broadband access would be the only way to connect to the Internet during natural disasters where the telecommunication services have failed. International companies wishing to provide aid to developing countries during natural disasters or polar scientific research centres use this type of Internet connection. Worldwide coverage not restricted by the infrastructure boundaries of a region or country makes satellite broadband access the most effective Internet connection for many global organizations.
