| The cheapest satellite Internet service with | | | | checking your email and surfing the Internet. If |
| decent upload and download speeds will cost you | | | | you want higher speeds, WildBlue offers speeds |
| anywhere from $50 to $60 depending on the | | | | up to 1.5 Mbps, and HughesNet offers speeds up |
| company you choose. That's more than DSL or | | | | to 5 Mbps which is 50 times faster than dialup |
| cable Internet service, but if you live in a rural | | | | service. |
| area that doesn't have access to DSL or cable | | | | 3. Compare download allotments. This is the |
| the benefits of having satellite Internet far | | | | maximum amount of bandwidth you can use to |
| outweigh the costs. | | | | download data. If you exceed this limit you'll |
| Benefits Of Satellite Internet Service | | | | experience restricted speeds for a period of time |
| * You can surf the Internet much faster than | | | | known as the recovery period. Some providers |
| you can with dialup service, and downloading | | | | like HughesNet give you free download time |
| pictures, music, and videos takes only minutes | | | | periods. |
| instead of hours. | | | | 4. Check for money-back guarantees. You don't |
| * Your satellite Internet connection is separate | | | | want to be stuck paying for something you don't |
| from you phone line so you can take phone calls | | | | want. The only money-back guarantee I found |
| and talk on the phone while you're using the | | | | was HughesNet's 30-day money-back guarantee. |
| Internet. No more missing important calls. | | | | 5. Look for equipment warranties. Service calls |
| * Satellite service is always on so you don't have | | | | and equipment repairs can be very expensive. |
| to waste your time getting connected and logging | | | | WildBlue offers a 12-month warranty on parts and |
| on. Just fire up your computer and you're good to | | | | 3 months on labor. HughesNet offers a 24 month |
| go. | | | | warranty on parts and 6 months on labor. |
| Finding the Cheapest Service | | | | 6. Compare installation and activation fees. Some |
| 1. Do an Internet search for "satellite Internet | | | | companies like WildBlue don't charge an installation |
| providers" to find out which companies provide | | | | fee but charge a $99 activation fee. Other |
| service to your area. Some companies like | | | | companies like HughesNet install their system for |
| WildBlue use a spot beam signal, so they don't | | | | free and do not charge an activation fee. |
| cover many areas in the U.S. Other companies | | | | 7. Compare equipment costs. You'll get the best |
| like HughesNet use a two-way system that | | | | deal on equipment by buying it outright. However, |
| covers all areas of the U.S. | | | | if you only plan to use the service for a short |
| 2. Compare upload and download speeds from | | | | period of time, leasing the equipment may be |
| various companies. You want at least 1 Mbps | | | | your best option. |
| upload speed and 128 Mbps download speed for | | | | |