Satellite Internet Service Provider

The problem is that most business professionals and emergency service workers do not have a complete understanding of the satellite business and the idiosyncrasies of communications via satellite, and why should they? Satellite communications is not their profession. In the quest for a satellite internet service provider there are certain questions you should be prepared to ask before you get locked into a contract for services that won’t satisfy your needs:

1) Do you have Non pre-emptible satellite space segment?

Satellite operators such as SES Americom, Intelsat among others lease space segment to satellite service providers. There are different levels of protection available in varying price ranges. Many service providers will opt to contract for pre-emptible space segment because it’s much less expensive and they can make larger profit margins which they may or may not pass on to their end users. Pre-emptible space segment gives the satellite operator the ability to deny access to the satellite for the service provider in the event of an on board equipment failure, or to make room for a service provider who is willing to pay the Non pre-emptible premium.

During large scale disasters such as the hurricanes in the Gulf States in 2005 many pre-emptible segments of satellite space were cleared to make room for government requests for satellite service leaving other service providers with no access. If you are considering contracting for service for disaster recovery applications it is highly recommended that you find service providers that guarantee that they have contracted for Non pre-emptible space segment. The service provider should be able to provide you with evidence of their service agreement with the operators if you ask. You may pay a little more each month for your non pre-emptible service, but at least it will be available when you most need it.

2) What is your “Over Subscription” or “Contention Ratio”?

Most satellite service providers who are providing Internet services are operating systems that use TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) based systems. A TDMA system is normally controlled by a central hub location which will command the remote units in the field to transmit their data when the hub is ready to receive it. This allows for many remote units to share the same slice of bandwidth improving the overall efficiency of the system. The transmissions from the remote units are sequenced at a very high rate, many times per second, which makes the service appear to be continuous.

However, the more units that are added to the system, the slower the service will be. A true enterprise level operator will never allow their contention ratio to exceed 20:1 or essentially 20 terminals per segment of bandwidth. Many operators that offer lower grade services will over subscribe their systems as high as 40, 80, 120:1 or more. Some operators may not be willing disclose this information to their end users. If a service provider will not tell you their contention ratio, you might consider looking elsewhere as their ratios are likely to be high. This will directly affect the quality of the service you receive. Enterprise level operators with contention ratios of 20:1 or less will charge more for their services since they have fewer users for their contracted space segment. But, you get what you pay for.

3) What is your system Latency, and does your hardware or software include TCP/IP acceleration?

Any IP transport platform will have a certain amount of latency that is inherent to the structure of the system. Latency is normally measured by how long it takes for a TCP/IP “Ping” to be sent to a server on the other side of the transport link and be returned back over the link to the point of origin. Satellite systems, due to the physics involved will have much higher latency figures than any terrestrial link. Data is transmitted to the satellite at the speed of light, or 186,000 miles per second. The satellite is located 22,223 miles above the equator.

For a ping to make its round trip it must travel up to the satellite, back to earth to the server, up to the satellite again and back to the origination point. This is a round trip is approximately 88,892 miles. When calculated with the speed of light, in a perfect world the round trip will take about 448 milliseconds. When you add in coding delays and processing delays you can increase that figure by 100 to 250 milliseconds. On an efficient system, a round trip ping should take between 550 and 700 milliseconds (225 ms one way in each direction).

Many lower grade systems on the market today will actually return ping times of 1200 milliseconds or greater which is too slow to allow for functionality of certain software applications. Some system operators have added TCP/IP acceleration products to their equipment. This can either be a hardware or software solution. Acceleration of TCP/IP does not speed up the actual transmission as it is already being transmitted at the highest speed possible, the speed of light. The acceleration is achieved by modifying the TCP protocol in ways that allow for more efficient transmission over high latency networks such as satellite. Acceleration can significantly improve the speed of loading web pages, so it is a highly desirable product to have. Most of the products are not capable of accelerating encapsulated data such as VPN’s, but the system should still pass that data, however more slowly. Be sure to ask whether or not the system has an acceleration product included.

4) Does your system support VoIP, VPN, and Streaming Video transmissions?

If you have certain applications that you intend to operate, be sure to inquire whether or not these applications are supported on the system. VoIP (Voice over IP) for telephone connectivity is becoming a very common need in satellite communications. All types of users from emergency services to business continuity are asking for telephone connectivity. The biggest concern most prospective users of VoIP over satellite have is that the latency will be too high for effective voice communications. This has largely been proven to not be true. In fact, most cellular telephone systems will experience as much or more delay in their systems than VoIP over satellite. Most satellite providers will support these systems, but if the system latency is more that about 800 milliseconds, you may experience difficulty carrying on a conversation. Some service providers will also sell VoIP equipment. If you choose to purchase from them, or on your own you will want to make sure the equipment includes good voice compression.

Most off the shelf VoIP systems that are not designed for use with satellite will occupy between 40 Kbps and 90 Kbps of bandwidth to complete each call. If you purchase 128K of satellite uplink bandwidth you may consume all of your bandwidth with one or two phone calls leaving none for internet access for your computers. There are compression VoIP systems available that have been designed for use over satellite that will use as little as 8 Kbps per phone call and the call is toll quality. There are even compression systems that will allow for a 1544 Kbps T1/PRI connection over less than 256 Kbps of satellite bandwidth. You will also want to inquire about connectivity to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). When the signal lands at the hub it will need to connect your VoIP traffic to a telephone line. Some service providers will provide this service for a fee; some will not provide it at all, so be sure to ask.

If you need to operate a VPN over the system, keep in mind that it will likely not be accelerated over the satellite. Acceleration of VPNs can be achieved with external hardware; however it is normally up to the customer to provide that equipment. There are some systems, mostly consumer grade, that will not support VPN’s at all or there are additional charges so be sure to ask. The same goes for Video transmissions from a streaming device, or a web cam. Video streams are highly bandwidth intensive applications and most service providers will require dedicated bandwidth for these applications. The pricing for dedicated bandwidth will be substantially higher than the shared ratio pricing as it consumes 100% of the bandwidth 100% of the time. If you are planning to stream video to multiple receive sites it is recommended that you stream the video over the satellite to a server, and allow other users to get the stream from the server. This way there is only one active stream over the satellite where the bandwidth is expensive.

5) Do you offer CIR or CRA services?

CIR (Committed Information Rate) and CRA (Committed Rate Assignment) are different acronyms with the same meaning. It is dedicated satellite bandwidth that is usually required by the service provider if you intend to operate high bandwidth applications such as video streaming over the satellite. Most enterprise level service providers offer CIR/CRA packages, most consumer level operators do not. The pricing for these services will be significantly higher than shared ratio services, so be prepared. Some providers also require CIR/CRA services for VoIP. Be sure to inquire if this is something you need as some operators may not volunteer this information until it’s too late.

6) How many public IP addresses do I get?

Many consumer level services do not assign public static IP addresses for you to use. This is primarily why they don’t support services such as VoIP and VPN. Enterprise level providers usually provide at least one address, some will provide more. Most providers will give you a fixed number of addresses with your service and charge you if you want additional static IPs. The recommended way to avoid the additional charges is by using your own router on the system and natting your own addresses. Some systems will not support natting so be sure to inquire if this is what you need.

7) Do you have a FAP?

A FAP or Fair Access Policy is a set of rules that you agree to abide by when contracting for their services. They also will include certain restrictions on your service. Read this policy very carefully as the providers like to include wording that can seriously restrict your usage. Some service providers will “meter” your throughput on the system. If you reach a certain level of usage, usually recorded in Kbps, or Mbps they may restrict your bandwidth to a low level, or cut off your service entirely until the next billing cycle. It is very difficult to measure your own usage since most people have no Idea how many Kbps are sent or received when loading a web page. The FAP is also where the provider will spell out the rules of usage concerning applications such as streaming video and VoIP. Going over that document with a fine toothed comb will be in your best interest.

What will be my actual measured speeds?

The service providers will sell you a specific rate plan that will have an uplink or return data rate, and a downlink or forward data rate. This will usually be expressed in a manner such as “128 x 512” or sometimes “512 x 128”. The larger number will always be the forward channel which is your downlink as a user. Most providers will not tell you that the speeds include IP overhead. Every internet system whether its satellite or terrestrial uses IP protocols that require a certain amount of bandwidth to process the IP traffic. Because of the overhead you can expect that your actual measured payload speeds will be around 20% lower than what you are paying for. Actual speeds can be measured by running a speed test from a PC over the satellite link.

If the service provider has their own speed test server at the hub location this will give you a more accurate test of the satellite link than an Internet based speed server. The internet based servers have too many variables to obtain accurate results since the data is being transferred over connections that are not under your control, or theirs. Most systems will be similar in their IP overhead usage, but be aware of this when you purchase your service. If you don’t think the speeds will be high enough when you factor in the 20% overhead you may want to consider a higher service level plan.

9) What Pricing plans do you offer?

In your search for a service provider you will likely encounter a multitude of pricing plans. Each provider will create pricing structures that meet their business model, and that will give them an edge over their competition. Because of this you may find it difficult to compare price. All providers will offer full time 24×7x365 service plans. Some will also offer plans based on usage, and some will sell daily or hourly plans. There are even providers that will sell service for a fixed number of days each month. These plans can be attractive as you will not likely use a system designed for disaster recovery every day of the month, so why should you pay for full time service? If you are comparing price between providers it is easiest to look at their full time rates to determine the cost. However, keep in mind that operators base their pricing on their cost for the satellite space segment. If they are charging less it may be because they don’t have non pre-emptible space or because they operate with high contention ratios, or both.

10) Do you offer other services such as terrestrial connectivity and collocation?

Be sure to inquire about value added services such as collocation space and terrestrial connectivity. Unless you are only buying internet access and have no need for VoIP, streaming, or data backup, you will likely need these services. Some service providers will provide connectivity to the telephone network, and some will not. If you need dial tone you will probably want to contract for that as well. For disaster recovery solutions it is highly recommended that you originate your dial tone from a safe location that is far away from the affected area.

In many disaster scenarios the terrestrial connectivity including cellular phones will not be available. It is important that this is taken into account when designing a backup network. Some of the satellite providers will also offer services to back up corporate or government server data at the satellite hub location. This is highly beneficial to the customer as it provides both off site storage of valuable data, and easy access to that data via the satellite when it is most needed. A satellite hub with a collocation facility can be a powerful tool, and should be highly considered when contracting for satellite services.

This article was written by Bob Exum who is a 24 year veteran in the communications and satellite industries. For comments or questions Bob can be reached at Clear Channel Satellite in Englewood, CO. 303-925-1708 bobexum@clearchannel.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/communication-articles/top-10-questions-to-ask-your-satellite-internet-service-provider-566482.html

The only requirement for residential VoIP service is a broadband (high-speed) internet connection. Since most people in the US now use broadband, it’s a natural “next step” to use internet phone service. VoIP is so incredibly cheap that it just doesn’t make sense to continue using pricey land line service anymore. Most VoIP subscribers (over 60%) get their internet phone service through local cable television companies, because they don’t realize there are other options. Although cable company VoIP is easy and convenient, prices are nearly as high as traditional phone service.

If you really want to take advantage of the incredible money saving benefits of internet phone service, you should choose an independent VoIP provider. There are many excellent internet phone service providers to choose from, and deciding on the VoIP company to go with can be a daunting task. Just as in any industry, all providers are not created equal. Each VoIP provider has different plans, prices and options to choose from, and international long distance rates can vary. Quality of service can vary among internet phone service providers too. Before you begin your search for a residential VoIP service provider, here are some things to think about:

True VoIP providers vs. the Cable CompanyCable TV companies offer unlimited local and long distance calling for a reasonable fee. The monthly charge ranges between $29 – $40 a month for the first year, and then it increases. Cable companies call their phone service “digital” phone service. This is just a marketing term for VoIP – internet phone service. Cable companies actually buy VoIP from a VoIP provider, then resell it to you at a much higher rate. You can get the same internet phone service for about half the price if you buy it directly from a VoIP provider. Consider the Reputation of the VoIP CompanySince VoIP will likely replace your land line phone service and become your only residential phone service, you want to make sure the internet phone service provider you choose has a reputation for quality service. Telephone service is too important to risk having problems with voice quality, billing, or other issues. You can easily find information and user reviews on VoIP providers on the internet. You should read as much as possible about every provider you are considering before you choose one. If you cannot find any information on the VoIP company you are considering, don’t subscribe. Just as in any other industry, there are some resellers and “fly by night” operators out there that provide substandard service. Ask for RecommendationsWith so many people using internet phone service these days, chances are you know people who are using VoIP. Ask around at work, church and school. Find out which VoIP providers people are using, and ask how they like the service. Another good place to find recommendations and information is on internet forums. Most people who participate in forums are happy to offer advice and recommendations. Know What Type of VoIP Service Plan You Want

All the best internet phone service providers offer several different types of service plans, so you really need to decide what you want before you start comparing providers. Do you want unlimited local and long distance calling, or do you only want 200-400 minutes a month? Do you need a plan that includes unlimited international calling? Do you want a VoIP plan that allows you to use a softphone as well? If you have an idea of what you want out of your internet phone service plan ahead of time, you’ll find it easier to select a VoIP provider.

You’ll save a ton of money by switching to internet phone service, and you’ll be 100% happy with your decision to switch to VoIP as long as you’ve chosen a reliable provider that offers a plan (and price) that meets your needs.

For more information on the best VoIP providers and the technology of internet phone service, visit Long Distance Savings. For the latest information on VoIP providers and current money-saving offers, visit Internet Phone Service – The Future is Here!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Jacobsen

If you’re living out in an area of the country where services like cable internet and even DSL lines are unavailable, you’re probably reduced to the options of dial-up internet service providers or satellite broadband. You’ve probably heard a number of reasons why satellite internet is superior to dial-up, but to make the decision clearer, here are the top five ways that dial-up isn’t in the same league as satellite.

1. Flexibility. When you want to log on to the internet and get working at home, the last thing you want is to be handcuffed regarding phone service. Dial-up internet monopolizes your phone lines and leaves you with an either/or scenario. In times when multi-tasking is essential, satellite internet provides users with the freedom to make calls and examine web pages without skipping a beat. Considering the habit of telephone operators to ask callers “Are you online?” and walk you through their website, you don’t want to be stuck with one hand tied behind your back.

2. Downloads. One of the most frustrating parts of internet use is waiting for important files to finally be available for operation. Satellite broadband makes the downloads a painless process, allowing you to get to work in a matter of seconds. If you are trying to keep a solid job profile while working out of the office, this feature will come in handy, letting you stay in touch with your employer while you work in the comfort of your own home.

3. The ability to access video and other high bandwidth applications. The internet in the hands of a dial-up user is a world of hit-and-miss: for every benefit, there is a drawback. This reality is never clearer than in the use of video applications. Dial-up will produce a static shot where satellite will deliver a moving picture, making an instructional video available for perusal when you need it the most.

4. Staying abreast of news developments. Web sites featuring live press conferences and Congressional proceedings allows satellite broadband subscribers to get the latest in political news and important hearings. Instead of wondering why your senator voted to approve a presidential appointment, see it happen live. It will give you a primary source of what’s going down on Capitol Hill. Every elected official deserves the scrutiny of constituents and you can make that happen.

5. Freedom. The internet is a place for work, entertainment, for finding information and connecting with friends and family. Don’t let poor internet service limit your possibilities. You deserve the freedom to explore and to find out what your family is doing, wherever they may be. If a relative has posted a video of a newborn child on a social networking website, you ought to be able to see this remarkable family development. If you want to unwind and see or hear what’s going on in the entertainment industry, you should have the chance to do it.

Ask yourself this: How much am I paying just for local phone
service? Are you including all of the taxes fees and sir
charges? If so, you’re probably paying fairly close to 50
dollars a month just in local phone service charges. Is it
fair to say you pay at least 10 dollars a month in long
distance including fees?

Either way you cut it, if you are paying more than 60
dollars for phone service each month you’re getting ripped
off even if you think you’re getting a pretty good deal. How
about dial-up ISP? Do you have one of those super cheap
dial-up Internet providers that only charge around 10
dollars a month for ISP? Good deal right? Wrong!

Of course I can’t sit here and figure each persons monthly
billing, but most of you reading this who have landline
phone service, make long distance phone calls either by
calling card, or a long distance plan, and use dial-up
Internet service are likely paying at least 70 dollars or
more per month between the three services.

What would you do if you could get high speed Internet, plus
unlimited local plus long distance calling for that same 70
dollars? Would you just nod wisely and still keep your
landline phone service and slow dial-up Internet? Would you
keep swearing by the same cheap calling cards for long
distance?

Did you know that most people in the U.S. can get broadband
Internet either by cable or DSL for less than 50 dollars a
month? Did you know that by having that broadband Internet
service you can take advantage of unlimited local and long
distance phone service for less than 20 dollars per month?

In effect, you could be getting super fast Internet
connections and unlimited calling for the same price, and
often times less than what you are paying for service right
now. Even if it averages out to be about the same price,
you’re still getting better service for the same amount of
money!

Of course, more often than not, the combination of broadband
Internet, and broadband phone service is cheaper than the
cost of landline phone service plus the cost of dial-up.
Sure, the price of broadband Internet alone is going to cost
more than dial-up, but factor in the savings with broadband
phone service and the combination of the two are going to be
much cheaper than landline phone service plus dial-up.

Quite literally, the cheapest phone service or cheapest
Internet service is going to be broadband Internet like DSL
or cable broadband plus broadband telephone service. Try as
you might, you just cannot get a better deal than that.
You’ve always wanted to “stick it” to your phone company,
and modern technology has finally provided you a way to do
just that.

Daymon Hoag is the founder of Cheapest Service where you can shop for Broadband – High Speed Internet – Cable – DSL – Wireless

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daymon_Hoag

The responsibility of finding a really good service provider might be easier by deciding on what it is you need. Dial up service can work for you if you do not use your computer frequently, and you do not spend too much time online. You can use dial up to check your email once a day and maybe to browse a couple shopping sites, even if it is slow and fuzzy. You will have a wide variety of choices when it comes to dial up. Your search for the best internet service providers will narrow down to reliability and the biggest amount of access numbers. Because after all, if you cannot connect when you need to, then your Internet service is more or less redundant.

Broadband internet service providers are vastly different and feature a plethora different connection forms. Broadband can be separated into several different categories, such as cable, DSL, and satellite. The key benefit of broadband service over dial up service is the website fast uploading speed. The speed increases exponentially when changing from dial up to broadband service, which saves you time as well as energy. Broadband is also always on, so you do not need to connect to it each time you want to use the internet.

One broadband internet service provider is your local cable company. They have unmatched speed and ease of use. Each time you turn on your computer your internet connection is ready and waiting on you and you do not require taking the time to connect to it because it is already connected. Sometimes the cost can be a stumbling block for internet users; however these broadband internet service providers sometimes offer package deals with your cable TV service or a slower access speed for a cheaper price. It is advised that you ask if there are any deals when choosing this service. After all, they can only tell you no.

In addition, DSL has better speed than dial up service. Several broadband internet service providers provide DSL service. One of the disadvantages of this service, however, is that it is distance sensitive and only works well within three miles of the central office. It is very dependent on the phone lines and any static or disruption can cause disruptions of your service as well. It is highly recommended that you consult neighbors if they have DSL and if they do what their experience has been with DSL. In fact, word of mouth is the best way to find out the advantages and disadvantages of broadband internet service providers.

Satellite broadband service internet providers offers a service that several rural or out of the way areas are not offered from their cable company or other internet service providers. This is definitely a plus to many customers who would not have internet service without the satellite providers.

Broadband internet service providers bid a service that millions of customers use on a daily basis. The key thing to remember is to research the type of service that you want to use-whether cable, DSL, or satellite and find the right choice for you and your family. Compare the web speed, features and cost in your decision and enjoy surfing the web with the speed and convenience that you will appreciate greatly. You could not possibly ask for anything more.

For more resources about T1 pricing or even about T1 Internet Service and especially about Internet Service Provider please review these links.

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