Broadband in a Box INTRO

[broadbandinabox]

Hello Rural Broadband Folks.

My name is Thomas. I joined this MB as an ambassador for DVB-S2 Hybrid SW-Modem technology which is helping many rural communities not passed by terrestrial broadband, connect to high speed Internet via hybrid satellite technologies..

There are numerous postings regarding DVB-S2 Hybrid SW-Modem technology and our retail partner, SkyWay USA here.

I would like to do my part helping answering any and all questions and talk about what has been my passion for the last 8 years.

I can help. I am also an impartial voice. I am not an employee of SkyWay USA. I will my best to get you answers to your questions. I will help direct you to their right billing, customer service, technical support, etc.

Why? Because it is my business to make sure this technology thrives and that every concern is handled in the best possible way.

I have had a part in the DVB modem (with Dial-up Return) launch in the U.S. since 2001. I have been a part of it since our start on SatMex-6 all those years ago. Before that I installed my first DirecPC in 1996. My first Pegasus Express in 2000.

When I installed my first DVB modem (with Dial-up Return) in 2001 I was instantly hooked. How can I forget, it happened on 9/11. What a way to start huh? Remember, this was the days of the PCI Modems that only worked with Windows. They tried to call it a Plug & Play modem. I fondly remember calling it a Plug & Pray modem! Things have come a long way since then. As has the Internet and computing.

I’m almost too excited about the new DVB-S2 Hybrid SW-Modem series more than anything. They work with Mac and Linux machines as well as Windows (Vista too). It’s so easy to install that SkyWay USA just had a 68 year old GRANDMOTHER install one all by herself.

IMO my involvement here can only help this community. If you have a questions or concerns regarding your SkyWay USA services or any other DVB-S2 provider, please let me know. Call me. Shoot me an e-mail and I will do my best to help.

I will do my best to get you all the information that you are looking for in a timely basis.

I look forward to joining this community; you all look like a great group of very passionate folks.

Regards,

Thomas William

[broadbandinabox]

I hate to muck up a good MB with newbie q's so I'm gonna use this old thread.

1) Do you recommend the paid registration? Is there good traffic, threads and ideas thrown around there? Good networking, etc.

I'm sure I'll think of some other Q's here for too long.

Thanks in advance.

[grohgreg]

I can think of one BIG question. In this day and age, why would anybody WANT a dial-return satellite connection - when two way satellite connections can in some cases be cheaper?

//greg//

[broadbandinabox]

Off the top of my head:

Certification: Is not required
Installation time: 1 hour average
Latency: 300ms average
Upload speed: up to 50Kbps
Hardware cost: $49
Monthly: starts at $29.95
Rain fade: NEVER
Redundancy: Included
Contract: No contract required unless per partner (i.e. SkyWay USA has a 1 year)
Maintenance: LNBF $10 + shipping

Since reports tell us that rural Internet options are going to be satellite ONLY for 15+ MILLION over the next 7-15 years, I am all about ease of installation and maintenance. Our LNBF is $10.00 + shipping. What's a typical one cost for a 2way system? Several hundred dollars I assume + trip charge + labor.

[digiblur]

Rain fade Never? Not unless it is CBand.

[broadbandinabox]

If the satellite signal is ever disrupted, the hybrid modem reverts back to synchronous dial-up. When it returns it reverts back to satellite.

[digiblur]

If the satellite signal is ever disrupted, the hybrid modem reverts back to synchronous dial-up. When it returns it reverts back to satellite.

But then it's no longer broadband

[broadbandinabox]

I am not a 2way guy. After my first Pegasus Express installation I quit 2way period, over 9 years ago. I could not see 3+ hour installations being a feasible way to make any money. I was always looking to get in and out in the most cost effective way while still maintaining QC, great customer service/friendship with the customer so I could work referralls which is still my bread and butter in this business.

Any way, I am wondering what 'burstable' up to 128Kbps REALLY means?

When I see a report like below, I question why anyone would pay for such expensive, high maintenance equipment which in many cases offers LESS speed than a PSTN line?

__________________________________________
From satcomms.info:
25kbps Maximum burst E-mail upload [source:
www.satcomms.info/internet_info/Tooway_Customer_Info_PL.pdf

]

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

[broadbandinabox]

Its still a redundant Internet connection that is never disrupted by rain fade.

[grohgreg]

Certification: Is not required and how is that a GOOD thing?
Installation time: 1 hour average not if it's done right
Latency: 300ms average only because of the single hop. the speed of light doesn't change just because you're installing one-way
Upload speed: up to 50Kbps dead wrong. V92 modems are only capable of up to 44k
Hardware cost: $49 so what? standard two-way hardware costs are often free
Monthly: starts at $29.95 not if you count the cost of the 2nd phone line
Rain fade: NEVER now I'm convinced you don't know what you're talking about
Redundancy: Included sure, if you consider dial-up performance in BOTH directions equitable "redundancy" to what's being touted as "broadband".
Contract: No contract required unless per partner (i.e. SkyWay USA has a 1 year) anybody beside me smell someting here?
Maintenance: LNBF $10 + shipping again, I don't really think you understand what you're talking about

Since reports tell us that rural Internet options are going to be satellite ONLY for 15+ MILLION over the next 7-15 years, I am all about ease of installation and maintenance. Our LNBF is $10.00 + shipping. What's a typical one cost for a 2way system? Several hundred dollars I assume + trip charge + labor. A $10 LNB? Scary. All I can say sport, is CAVEAT EMPTOR. Folks who believe the hype, usually end up disappointed. Do you feel qualified to join a professional discussion comparing performance characteristics of consumer grade Ku-band Chinese versus Japanese versus Korean LNBs? It might put your $10 LNB in a whole new perspective.

I am not a 2way guy...Any way, I am wondering what 'burstable' up to 128Kbps REALLY means? With a question like that, it's clear why you're "not a 2way guy". The short answer is that it means you're using a dated argument. I doubt you're actually interested in the real answer, but I can provide one - should you really even care. And it's an answer that can be backed up by 36 years experience in the two-way satellite telecommunications field. You're never ever going to convince the real pros in this field that 1-way satellite internet connections represent a comparably viable product.

Its still a redundant Internet connection. Sure, but you're playing word games. Marketing hype. Another indication that you really don't understand this field. A truly redundant communications path assumes the same properties as of that which it backs up. Properties like throughput speed for example. Whereas you may legitimately describe yours as an alternate/backup mode, two-way dial-up simply does not qualify as a redundant (satellite) connection. Period.

//greg//