Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
the dishes used for satellite TV services, except that it functions both for receiving and sending data.
The dish is connected to a satellite modem, which is functionally identical to a cable or DSL modem
as far as setup and operation is concerned. Some satellite modems contain a router, making them
suitable for a direct connection to a single PC or a network switch supporting multiple PCs. Those
that don't include a built-in router should be connected to the wireless area network (WAN) port on a
router, which would then be connected to one or more PCs.
Most satellite services require a clear view of the sky toward the equator because the satellites are
located above the equator.
Note
Geosynchronous satellites used for satellite Internet/TV service are visible in the southern sky
for users in the Northern Hemisphere (North America, Europe, and Asia); if you're in the
Southern Hemisphere (South America, Australia, Africa), these satellites are located in the
northern sky.
Satellite Internet services are generally slower and more expensive than cable, DSL, or fixed
wireless and generally should not be considered where those alternatives are available. However,
for people living in rural areas, satellite is often the only type of broadband connection available. The
main providers of satellite Internet in the United States are HughesNet, WildBlue, and StarBand.
HughesNet
HughesNet was originally called DirecPC when service began in 1996, but Hughes Network Systems
renamed it DirecWay in mid-2001, shortly after rolling out a two-way version of the service, and then
renamed it again to HughesNet in 2006. The original version of DirecPC was a one-way service that
used satellite for downloading and a conventional dial-up modem for uploading. Starting in 2002, this
was replaced with a two-way satellite connection.
HughesNet offers satellite service to the 48 contiguous states and southern Canada using 12 satellites
in geosynchronous orbit above the equator, along with multiple Earth-based gateways acting as
up/down links between the satellites and the Internet. HughesNet uses both the Ku and Ka bands,
depending on location and equipment. The Ku band covers the target area with a single broad beam,
whereas the Ka band uses spot beams. New installs use the Ka band unless location issues preclude
it. On July 5, 2012, Hughes successfully launched its next-generation EchoStar XVII satellite into
space, allowing for dramatic increases in bandwidth for its customers. Based on this new satellite,
HughesNet introduced its “Gen4” service in October 2012, which offers download speeds of up to
15Mbps.
The HughesNet hardware usually consists of a 0.74m (29-inch) oval dish plus an external satellite
modem. The modem has a built-in router with an Ethernet connection. A larger optional 0.98m (39-
inch) round dish is available for fringe areas or for business use, along with an optional higher
powered (2W vs. 1W) radio transmitter. HughesNet offers several plans with varying
download/upload speeds as follows:
Standard
•
Basic
—1.0Mbps/0.2Mbps
•
Power 150
—1.5Mbps/0.25Mbps
