Frequently Asked Questions

Satellite Broadband operates by sending signals via a satellite placed in geostationary orbit around the earth. Geostationary means the satellite remains at the same point in the sky as the earth rotates. In turn this means that the connecting equipment can focus directly on the satellite and very high speed connections can be established and maintained constantly.
The signals sent up to the satellite by the user’s equipment are relayed down to a Ground Earth Station from where they are forwarded to the rest of the internet. In return, signals intended for the user are relayed to the GES, up to the satellite and back down to the user’s equipment. Therefore as long as the user is at a location where they can ‘see’ a satellite, they will be able to acquire a high speed broadband connection.

Satellite Broadband speed is comparable to – and often faster than – services achieved through other broadband systems. Depending on the choice of package and terminal equipment a user can receive headline speeds in excess of 15 Megabits per second (Mbps) and up to 50 Mbps in the path from the network down to the user. In the other path, from user to the network, a user may achieve up to 6 Mbps speed, again depending on the package purchased and terminal equipment used.
One point to take care of with a satellite service is the high latency. Signals take time to travel up to the satellite and back down again, so while the system may be able to handle lots of bits per second, there is a short delay between bits being sent and those bits arriving at their destination. This can mean that the user senses a small lag in responsiveness during interactive activities such as voice calls, videos and games.

A Satellite Broadband connection is achieved using a Terminal box to which the user’s computer is connected via Local Area Network (LAN) port or ports. In turn the Terminal is connected via cables to a Satellite Dish that is positioned to have an uninterrupted line of sight to the satellite. Apart from a power supply, the Terminal box does not require any further connections or hardware to provide internet connectivity.
Since it provides a two-way connection, the Satellite Dish requires a little more care to set up than a receive-only device such as a satellite TV service. Satellite Broadband providers will generally provide an installation service to ensure a good quality installation and connection.

Satellite services have evolved over a period of more than 40 years, providing reliable services worldwide. Provided the equipment is well maintained and the line of sight between the dish and satellite is kept clear then there should be no issue with maintaining service over many years.
One of the main factors to affect a user’s satellite service is likely to be the weather. Satellite dishes are designed to withstand winds of over 120mph providing they are mounted correctly on a structure that itself can withstand such winds. Rain and snow can cause signals to deteriorate, though the satellite broadband service uses high signal margins, automatic power adjustments and adaptive error correction techniques to compensate for these fades. In each location the system is configured to ensure that good service can be maintained in heavy storm conditions. Severe to extreme conditions may cause signals to be lost temporarily, though the system is configured such that these kinds of outages may occur only a handful of times in a year and may last only a few moments.

Satellite Broadband provides a connection to the internet, just as other broadband services. It can be used for the same activities as for other services. It can host phone calls using a Voice over IP service and it can provide connections to streaming media and other content. Satellite Broadband can be used for online games and interactive sessions, however the user must be aware that the high latency in the satellite path will create a lag between an action and a response that could affect the perception of performance. Latency may also affect some Virtual Private Network (VPN) services based on a security protocol called IPsec; the delay has the effect of reducing the apparent speed of the connection. Secure Sockets (SSL) based VPN applications have much better support.