Satellite Internet in Texas
Some rural Texans have been waiting for high-speed Internet for close to a decade. Frustrated with seemingly false promises from the state government to expand DSL and cable networks to many of the smallest communities in the state, many people are turning to satellite Internet. Up to fifty times faster than dial-up service'typical dial-up connections download at 53 Kbps, while satellite connections download at 1.0 to 5.0 Mbps'satellite broadband connections free up phone lines and can reach customers statewide, as long as they have a clear view of the southern sky. Previously, people living in rural locations had to wait hours to download pictures, music, videos, and software updates, to which their city-dwelling counterparts had almost instant access. Satellite Internet let's you get online instantly, surf the web and open pages faster, and download in a fraction of the time it used to take with a dial-up modem. And since it doesn't interfere with your phone lines, you can email and talk at the same time.
How does satellite Internet work? Internet data is transmitted to your computer via a network of satellites orbiting the Earth. In order to receive this data at home, you'll need to posses the proper equipment for decoding and displaying it. This equipment includes a satellite dish, modems for both uploading and downloading data from the satellite, and a capable computer system. You can connect with either a Windows or Macintosh operating system that meets certain minimum requirements as designated by the provider. Additionally, you can connect multiple home computers and laptops to a single connection. This means no family squabbles over whose turn it is to use the Internet, although simultaneous use by multiple users can mean a slower connection speed.
In this fast-paced world, high-speed Internet is all but essential for survival. With satellite Internet, people formerly left behind are able to come out of the technological dark ages and join the online community. They can work from home outside the city limits. They can shop online. They can play interactive computer games. They can plan trips and get instant access to breaking news. Truckers and people who travel for business or otherwise spend a lot of time on the road can also benefit from satellite Internet, as there are many portable options available in addition to the location-specific fixed systems more common in homes.
Despite all its good points, there are some downsides to satellite Internet. Bad weather can interfere with your connection, and users sometimes complain about signal latency (the delay between requesting data and the receipt of a response) and rain fade (when the signal is absorbed or scattered by moisture). Satellite service can also be more expensive than other high-speed connections, like DSL and cable service, not to mention the much slower dial-up option. But time is money, and in places where DSL and cable are not available, the benefits of being able to keep up with the rest of the world are worth any added cost.
