The true costs of Satellite internet (what’s not included)

Everyone wants a great broadband deal at a cheap price and let’s face it, we don’t always consider the what ifs when something goes wrong or your circumstances change.

Not all broadband services are created equal especially when it comes to wireless technology.

The most common considerations people take into account are speed and price and although both are important there is a lot more to consider.

Ask your proposed satellite provider if they offer these basic services:

• Can you provide a local technician to install and provide ongoing support
• Can I speak to a real person if something goes wrong
• Do I have to purchase all the equipment upfront
• Do you provide a free static IP address for services that require it
• Can you provide me with additional mesh wireless routers for extra coverage
• Can you provide me a customised installation for my home or business
• Is the latency of your service better than fixed local wireless broadband
• Can I transfer my home phone to your service
• Do you provide port forwarding options for gaming and security
• Does your company support the local economy

What is the real cost in your time and frustration when your not able to get support when you need it. Is cutting corners for a bare bones service really what you want?

It’s important to ask the right questions before you spend large amounts of money to find out you didn’t actually get what you thought you should expect from your broadband provider.

If your provider can answer yes to most of the above then you are heading in the right direction.

What’s the difference?

Fixed wireless and satellite subscriptions both provide internet services to their subscribers by transmitting from a distribution point to an access point. The access point is where you access the internet.

The main difference between fixed wireless and satellite is the distance of the distribution point from the access point.

Satellite internet’s distribution point is a satellite that’s orbiting the Earth many hundreds or thousands of km away. Fixed wireless’s distribution point is more local—typically a broadband tower within twenty km from your access point.

One of the most significant differences you’ll notice between fixed wireless services and satellite internet connection is the latency.

Latency is how long it takes for data to go from the transmission point to the access point. High latency can make your connection feel delayed or laggy.

With satellite, the data has to travel the distance from your home or business to Earth’s orbit. This leads to relatively high latency compared to other internet services, making your connection feel delayed.

High latencies can make activities like online gaming, voice calls, and video frustrating. The lag from the latency can make it feel like you’re left waiting for your game or call, disrupting its flow.

In NZ we expect to pick up the phone or send an email to get a same day response should something go wrong and not to have to wait days or weeks for assistance. See what others have to say: