Just had Wildblue www.Wildblue.com installed a few days ago and I know there are others out there like myself who live in areas where you can't get high speed internet service so maybe this info will help you out. So far so good...it's not Cable but it's certainly faster than dial up...anything is faster than dial up...my dog taking a letter to my mail box down my half mile driveway is faster than dial up... the service is a bit pricey but its this or dial up.... The Installer was excellent, took about 2.5 hours.. I got the  Pro Pak and I'm getting about  1.7 mbps on downloads and about  300 kbps  on my uploads...a little faster than they advertise but I'm sure that will vary some on any given day.  Overall I'm pleased, If you have cable or DSL you are probably better off but if your stuck with dial up this is certainly the way to go...

Tagged, because my wireless ISP SUCKS, and I have no other alternatives. Keep us updated!

It appears to cause poor spelling and the over-use of ellipses.

G

sweet .  congrats on the high speed

Congrats, dialup just sucks big time. I will never go back.

cost?

Quoted: It appears to cause poor spelling and the over-use of ellipses. G

Yes it does,and you know what,its something I don't worry about , not the greatest typist here and when the good ol spell check doesn't work on here...well, too bad

Hey, do me a favor:

Go to a command prompt and type:
ping www.google.com /n 25


and post the output. I'd love to see the ping times, since I'm a little concerned about latency. Pretty please?

My mom got Starband wireless sat internet for her office, and she had not one good thing to say about them when she canceled her contract.  The service itself was decent, for about a month.  Then the dish went out of alignment, and Starband refused to come and adjust it, even though they installed it.  Then the service completely failed, and Starband accused my mother of tampering with the system.  Starband eventually came out and moved the setup, but this was winter with no leaves on the trees.  WHen spring came, THE LEAVES COME OUT!!!  And once again, zero signal.  Now she is stuck with the $400 cancelation fee, several months of serivce fees for receiving zero service, and $1000 of equipment.
They got T1 installed, put their phone lines and Internet on it, and they save about $200 a month.

That's one the things I'm considering, but to afford it I'd need to drop my home phone altogether. I was going to do it and get VOIP, but then I found out that it won't work through satellite.

I hate dialup, and our area doesn't get cable or DSL internet.

Quoted: cost?

TJ
They have 3 levels of service and I took the pro pack and it runs $79.95 a month, not cheap by any stretch but I think its worth is when the only other choice is dial up

Quoted: just read it will not support VPN on ipsec. does me no good

Damnit. I can't use it, then. Crap. Why the hell won't they support an ipsec VPN?

Quoted: My mom got Starband wireless sat internet for her office, and she had not one good thing to say about them when she canceled her contract.  The service itself was decent, for about a month.  Then the dish went out of alignment, and Starband refused to come and adjust it, even though they installed it.  Then the service completely failed, and Starband accused my mother of tampering with the system.  Starband eventually came out and moved the setup, but this was winter with no leaves on the trees.  WHen spring came, THE LEAVES COME OUT!!!  And once again, zero signal.  Now she is stuck with the $400 cancelation fee, several months of serivce fees for receiving zero service, and $1000 of equipment. They got T1 installed, put their phone lines and Internet on it, and they save about $200 a month.

Well, in all fairness - sharing a sattelite connection with a small office is destined to fail. I'd have a T1 here yesterday, were it not for cost (I've negotiated it down to $500/mo, believe it or not).

Should work well as long as it is insatlled gooder.


Aviator

Quoted: Hey, do me a favor: Go to a command prompt and type: ping www.google.com /n 25 and post the output. I'd love to see the ping times, since I'm a little concerned about latency. Pretty please?

You got it...latency was not that big of a concern, not a gamer here but my son while happy with the service does like to play games and this doesn't resolve his sadness

C:\>ping www.google.com /n 25

Pinging www.l.google.com [216.239.37.104] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=666ms TTL=233
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=642ms TTL=233
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=694ms TTL=233
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=650ms TTL=233
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=753ms TTL=232
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=722ms TTL=232
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=664ms TTL=233
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=1065ms TTL=233
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=1009ms TTL=232
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=689ms TTL=232
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=679ms TTL=233
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=623ms TTL=233
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=725ms TTL=232
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=697ms TTL=232
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=677ms TTL=233
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=632ms TTL=233
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=729ms TTL=232
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=700ms TTL=232
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=677ms TTL=232
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=643ms TTL=232
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=740ms TTL=233
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=719ms TTL=233
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=671ms TTL=232
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=622ms TTL=232
Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=708ms TTL=233

Ping statistics for 216.239.37.104:
   Packets: Sent = 25, Received = 25, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
   Minimum = 622ms, Maximum = 1065ms, Average = 711ms

Quoted: just read it will not support VPN on ipsec. does me no good

Given the number of people using VPN now, it's shocking to me that anyone would put out a service that didn't support ipsec.  Especially in one that already requires expensive equipment...

Yikes! I was afraid of that. That's almost a full second. I'm not a gamer myself, but I was concerned about voice. It's not going to work.

I love living out in the country, but MAN it's a pain in the ass sometimes.

Quoted: My mom got Starband wireless sat internet for her office, and she had not one good thing to say about them when she canceled her contract.  The service itself was decent, for about a month.  Then the dish went out of alignment, and Starband refused to come and adjust it, even though they installed it.  Then the service completely failed, and Starband accused my mother of tampering with the system.  Starband eventually came out and moved the setup, but this was winter with no leaves on the trees.  WHen spring came, THE LEAVES COME OUT!!!  And once again, zero signal.  Now she is stuck with the $400 cancelation fee, several months of serivce fees for receiving zero service, and $1000 of equipment. They got T1 installed, put their phone lines and Internet on it, and they save about $200 a month.

While a bad instal is possible, its more likely that the wind or a tree branch moved the dish.  At which point the only reason I can see them not wanting to come out and fix it is if you wanted it done for free.  Also, they can only charge you for services rendered, wether or not you use it is on  you.  Letting them charge you month after month while you can't use it is your bad move.

Why you got satilite over T1, and its cheaper, just doesn't make sense.

Quoted: Yikes! I was afraid of that. That's almost a full second. I'm not a gamer myself, but I was concerned about voice. It's not going to work. I love living out in the country, but MAN it's a pain in the ass sometimes.

Your 100% correct on living out here in the country. I wanted voice but as you said it's not going to work. I will get rid of AOL tonight and my 2nd phone line is already gone, thats about $54.00 a month right there, and I got rid of my long distance on my house phone, we'll use our cell phones now that everyone in the house has one so it will cost me about $20 extra a month, I can live with that

No more expensive than dialup if you can get rid of your land line by switching to this service.

Quoted: Quoted: Hey, do me a favor: Go to a command prompt and type: ping www.google.com /n 25 and post the output. I'd love to see the ping times, since I'm a little concerned about latency. Pretty please? You got it...latency was not that big of a concern, not a gamer here but my son while happy with the service does like to play games and this doesn't resolve his sadness C:\>ping www.google.com /n 25 Pinging www.l.google.com [216.239.37.104] with 32 bytes of data: Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=666ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=642ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=694ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=650ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=753ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=722ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=664ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=1065ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=1009ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=689ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=679ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=623ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=725ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=697ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=677ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=632ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=729ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=700ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=677ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=643ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=740ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=719ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=671ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=622ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=708ms TTL=233 Ping statistics for 216.239.37.104:    Packets: Sent = 25, Received = 25, Lost = 0 (0% loss), Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:    Minimum = 622ms, Maximum = 1065ms, Average = 711ms

whoa!

700ms average is unplayable.  150ms and below is needed most of the time, with the average good cable connection being <75ms.

By comparison, my office T1


Pinging www.l.google.com [216.239.37.99] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 216.239.37.99: bytes=32 time=29ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.37.99: bytes=32 time=29ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.37.99: bytes=32 time=30ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.37.99: bytes=32 time=30ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.37.99: bytes=32 time=28ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.37.99: bytes=32 time=31ms TTL=242

Quoted: Quoted: My mom got Starband wireless sat internet for her office, and she had not one good thing to say about them when she canceled her contract.  The service itself was decent, for about a month.  Then the dish went out of alignment, and Starband refused to come and adjust it, even though they installed it.  Then the service completely failed, and Starband accused my mother of tampering with the system.  Starband eventually came out and moved the setup, but this was winter with no leaves on the trees.  WHen spring came, THE LEAVES COME OUT!!!  And once again, zero signal.  Now she is stuck with the $400 cancelation fee, several months of serivce fees for receiving zero service, and $1000 of equipment. They got T1 installed, put their phone lines and Internet on it, and they save about $200 a month. While a bad instal is possible, its more likely that the wind or a tree branch moved the dish.  At which point the only reason I can see them not wanting to come out and fix it is if you wanted it done for free.  Also, they can only charge you for services rendered, wether or not you use it is on  you.  Letting them charge you month after month while you can't use it is your bad move. Why you got satilite over T1, and its cheaper, just doesn't make sense.

Where are you finding a t1 for under $100 a month?

tag

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: My mom got Starband wireless sat internet for her office, and she had not one good thing to say about them when she canceled her contract.  The service itself was decent, for about a month.  Then the dish went out of alignment, and Starband refused to come and adjust it, even though they installed it.  Then the service completely failed, and Starband accused my mother of tampering with the system.  Starband eventually came out and moved the setup, but this was winter with no leaves on the trees.  WHen spring came, THE LEAVES COME OUT!!!  And once again, zero signal.  Now she is stuck with the $400 cancelation fee, several months of serivce fees for receiving zero service, and $1000 of equipment. They got T1 installed, put their phone lines and Internet on it, and they save about $200 a month. While a bad instal is possible, its more likely that the wind or a tree branch moved the dish.  At which point the only reason I can see them not wanting to come out and fix it is if you wanted it done for free.  Also, they can only charge you for services rendered, wether or not you use it is on  you.  Letting them charge you month after month while you can't use it is your bad move. Why you got satilite over T1, and its cheaper, just doesn't make sense. Where are you finding a t1 for under $100 a month?

+1

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Hey, do me a favor: Go to a command prompt and type: ping www.google.com /n 25 and post the output. I'd love to see the ping times, since I'm a little concerned about latency. Pretty please? You got it...latency was not that big of a concern, not a gamer here but my son while happy with the service does like to play games and this doesn't resolve his sadness C:\>ping www.google.com /n 25 Pinging www.l.google.com [216.239.37.104] with 32 bytes of data: Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=666ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=642ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=694ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=650ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=753ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=722ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=664ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=1065ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=1009ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=689ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=679ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=623ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=725ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=697ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=677ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=632ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=729ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=700ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=677ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=643ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=740ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=719ms TTL=233 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=671ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=622ms TTL=232 Reply from 216.239.37.104: bytes=32 time=708ms TTL=233 Ping statistics for 216.239.37.104:    Packets: Sent = 25, Received = 25, Lost = 0 (0% loss), Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:    Minimum = 622ms, Maximum = 1065ms, Average = 711ms whoa! 700ms average is unplayable.  150ms and below is needed most of the time, with the average good cable connection being <75ms.

Owch!!!!!

tag for family

I'm moving to my farmhouse and selling my place "in the city" (when you start hearing distant gunfire at 2am every other night, it is time to leave).

I really miss my 5mbps RoadRunner service, but Wildblue has been VERY pleasing (considering the alternative of Dialup, Starband or DirecWay). Of the three current SAT ISP vendors, WB, appears to me, to be the best, to date.

KB