Flying High

Although satellite access services have been available for several years, true two-way broadband performance at an affordable price is a recent development. Very Small Aperture Terminal satellite systems have been providing data links to businesses for more than a decade, but only large companies with hundreds of remote offices could afford to buy in. Until a few months ago, next-generation IP-oriented satellite service providers offered only hybrid satellite-landline services that forced users to rely on snail-pace 56K modems for upstream links. Now, companies such as DirecPC, Pegasus, StarBand and Tachyon are providing true two-way satellite-based broadband services.

Until recently, it wasn’t possible for the satellite companies to compete with terrestrial service providers on a performance footing. That situation is changing, says David Simpson, senior vice president of research and development and engineering for On Command, a Denver-based company that offers interactive entertainment and Internet services for hotels. On Command uses Tachyon’s two-way satellite service to connect facilities in places, such as Key West, Fla., and Branson, Mo., where high-speed terrestrial connections are hard to get. "If we can find a good terrestrial deal, we’ll use it. But if the site is remote and the options are limited, we’ll use satellite," says Simpson.

Tachyon’s service, which debuted in April 2000, ranges from 128Kbps to 1.544Mbps on the downstream (data flowing to the user) and from 64Kbps to 256Kbps on the upstream (data flowing from the user). StarBand, which began selling its two-way service last November, provides downstream speeds as fast as 500Kbps and upstream rates of up to 150Kbps. DirecPC, which launched its two-way service in December, offers up to 400Kbps on the downstream and 256Kbps upstream. "The speeds compare favorably with cable services and beat most DSL connections," says Yossi Gal, vice president of engineering and chief engineer for McLean, Va.-based StarBand. "There’s more than enough bandwidth to support high-speed file transfers, media streaming and many other broadband activities." As with cable connections, however, speeds can slow down considerably during evenings and other peak service times.

To the benefit of its many remote users, however, satellite technology can operate under extremely arduous conditions. Northern Arizona University recently added six StarBand dishes to the floor of the Grand Canyon for use by members of the Havasupi tribe. "These people only have phone service for half the day during the summer because the heat radiating off the canyon walls plays havoc with their [microwave] phone links," says Groenhout. "But the satellite connections work just fine."