I am sure that no one reading this article ever uses Gmail, right?  I am being sarcastic actually; Gmail and just Google in general, seem

to be taking over the internet world by storm.  Gmail was once just a lowly email platform, but now it has developed into a full featured software package that integrates a lot of the different types of interaction taking place on high speed internet.  I say high speed internet, because let’s be honest, it doesn’t work well with dial up, but this is pretty common with most things on the internet today.  Gmail currently lets you integrate your social networking initiatives through its Buzz application and your IM messaging

through Google Talk with your email.  However, Gmail is by no means finished with its plans to integrate all types of communication into one major hub.  Its next innovation will be to include integration with your phone calls and your text messages.  As a matter of fact, Google already has this capability with Google Voice, it is just not entirely integrated with Gmail yet.  There is technically a way to send your Google Voice data through to your Gmail account by using forwarding and filtering techniques, but it is not currently a

default option.  I personally think that a one stop shop for all my communication is the greatest thing since sliced bread.  Ok, so maybe that is stretching it a little, but you get my point.  Google does not currently seem to have a great solution for video chatting, but I am sure that it is just around the corner.

If you live in a rural area and are reading this article, there is a good chance you have to put up with dial up because there is nothing else available, and therefore all this talk of integrated communication is just frustrating because you can’t access it.  Just so you know, you don’t have to put up with this slow connection speed.  WildBlue actually makes a great satellite internet product that can get you access to high speed internet and all of these neat communication features we have been talking about.

You are pretty sure that you have got the next big idea worth millions of dollars, but there seems to be one small problem standing between you and exponential success, MONEY.  Does this situation sound familiar?  If so you are in luck because there is a new website/social network that is dedicated to helping people fund their startup ideas.  The website is called KickStarter, and the best part about it is that you do not have to give up any control of your company.  The website is based around the premise that a lot of people are willing to donate a small amount to see a project that they like become successful.  This website is for projects of all sizes, regardless of how small or how large.  It is customary to give something in return for donating to a company, but not necessarily required.  Often startups agree to give away a coffee mug or some other small symbol of appreciation if their funding round is successful.  The startups are required to receive 100% of their set budget or they are not able to receive any of their funds.

There is however, one prerequisite you need to meet to be able to effectively interact with the website, which is having access to a high speed internet connection.  If you are in a rural area and only have access to dial up internet service it is going to be difficult for you to be able to use this service.  If you are in this situation you are going to need to invest in WildBlue Satellite Internet service, which can work even if you are in a rural area.  This could possibly be the best investment you have ever made if this is the only thing that stands between you and launching your multi-million dollar idea.  So, get some high speed internet and get started on your path to success.

It seems like every time we turn around another major cell phone provider is launching some sort of new innovative mobile technology.  It seems the latest fad is video calls.  It is apparently no longer sufficient enough to just hear someone’s voice; we need to actually see them now to be able to communicate.  Apple’s iPhone, Google’s Android, Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 7, and many more major cell phone providers are adding some kind of support for video calling features.  The catch is that, right now, many of them will only work while on Wi-Fi, including Apple’s Face Time application.  This means that those of us in rural areas are out of luck.  We can’t even use wireless 3G to use these features, but wait, maybe there is one option.  The only option we have is to actually use a satellite internet connection to access high speed broadband.  The best and most affordable satellite internet option out there is MyBlueDish.

Soon it appears that a typical mobile phone call is going to consist of visually interacting with not only the person on the other line but their surroundings as well, as many phones allow people to switch to a view that lets the other person see what you’re seeing.  I cannot help but to wonder what will be next in the communication industry.  First we could read written messages sent to us via telegraphs, next we could hear people speak, now we can actually see the other person.  It seems like the only next logical progression would be able to touch the person we were talking to, maybe via a hologram, or who knows maybe we will be able to teleport through the mobile phone by that time.  This level of communication seems unbelievable, but just think how unbelievable video chatting would have been to people 200 years ago.  Regardless of how advanced the communication industry gets you are still going to have to have a high speed broadband connection.  So if you are in a rural area that only gives you access to dial up give MyBlueDish a call and chances are they can help you out.

I finally ran the WildBlue Optimizer on my test drive. I will admit to a small amount of hesitation as I have my operating system running very nicely and I have an aversion to looking a gift horse or operating system in the mouth.

After I reminded myself that I was “Beta Testing” I jumped right in and ran the WildBlue Optimizer. It installed flawlessly. It placed the Portal, Help and WB Mail icons on the desktop and made the other changes listed in the “Read Me” file.

There was a pleasant surprise that came along with this install. I have been using a specific script for my LAN settings, as my browser would load slowly when using the Optimizer setting of Automatically detecting proxy server. On my test system installing the optimizer setting is quite speedy. I do not know if this is due to the way Internet Explorer functions or whether the WildBlue Optimizer is just a better fit, but a good outcome is a good outcome!

I will test the setting some more to get a more definitive answer regarding this subject, but as I see it right now, the WildBlue Optimizer is running better on the testing platform than it did my old operating system.

I am running Windows Internet Explorer 7 on the Beta volume and have not yet checked the settings on Firefox or Opera. That will be testing to be done in the near future, and I will relay my experience.

The good news is that WildBlue Optimizer seems to be up and running fine on all tested operating systems. No bad news.

If you find these articles useful, please drop me a line. Any testing you wish to have done using WildBlue will be seriously considered. We will constantly be getting updates for new operating systems, whether we like it or not, so we may as well make sure that WildBlue works well with them.

In this blog, I’d like to talk about some of the “greener” communities and states here in our great nation, and we’ll take a brief look at what makes them so different. First, let’s look at a little hole in the wall place dubbed Portland, Oregon.  According to Popular Science, Portland is the “greenest” city in the United States based on some raw data collected from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Geographic Society’s Green Guide blended and formatted in such a way that all the different elements are weighed equally.

“America’s top green city has it all: Half its power comes from renewable sources, a quarter of the workforce commutes by bike, carpool or public transportation, and it has 35 buildings certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.”

Now think about where you live. Is there a recycling plant within a decent distance? Do you see a lot of people commuting by bike, by choice? Because I’ve lived in rural areas almost my whole life, and I can almost surly tell you that even if it happens occasionally, it doesn’t happen near enough.

In my opinion the best way to “green” up your community is to lead by example.  Use the informational prowess of high speed Internet to look up different things that you can do right there in your own home that may inspire others to join in when they see how much money your saving using green energy and how your quality of life improves all around for the better.

If you think you’re unable to get high speed internet where you live, there’s a product out there called WildBlue that will give you access to the internet from anywhere in the country with DSL like speeds. Use WildBlue as a bridge that connects you with the information that will help us preserve our nation.

A while back we started a series on satellite internet technology and services around the world and started with Japan.  It only seems fair for us to continue this series with our next destination being the UK.  The satellite internet technology in the UK seems to be very close to that which is offered in the United States.  As a matter of fact some of the service providers are even the same.  The majority of us are most likely familiar with Hughesnet, which is a satellite internet service provider here in the United States.  Hughesnet also provides service to areas in the UK through other companies such as ETHNET by allowing them to use part of its technology to provide its own satellite internet service.  BeyonDSL is another company that provides residential satellite internet service to areas throughout the UK.  They offer one-way as well as two-way internet access.  However, the one-way service incorporates a standalone BSM-2 box with just a simple Ethernet cable that needs to be connected to your PC or network equipment.  This greatly reduces the possibility of software problems that can often arise from the satellite receiver.  BrownstoneIT primarily focuses on offering enterprise services to larger companies that, although comes with higher speeds and more functionality, also comes with a higher price tag.  This company is unique in that it offers custom VoIP and video conferencing services to its customers as well, which are services that are traditionally very difficult to offer through a satellite solution.  Avonline Plc is another residential service provider that operates very similar to BeyonDSL.  Around the middle of next year WildBlue is also expected to begin providing services to the UK as well as other parts of Europe.  These expansions will follow the launch of its new satellite also scheduled for next year.  The entrance of WildBlue into the UK market should significantly raise the bar for satellite internet performance within the country.

A lot of people ask me, “Why is Satellite Internet more expensive than DSL?” The answer is not as simple as just another global conglomerate charging more than the competition, just because they can or because the quarter has changed.  No. More than meets the eye.  Satellite internet is a complex, but effective, way of getting fast rural internet without that “mucking about” in cyberspace so many people who still have dial up are tormented with. For the record, most people who call Satellite Internet Providers, live in an area where no other fast internet is available. This is not to downplay the significance Satellite Internet has played in the lives of many a dial up stricken rural Americans. What I mean, is that if you have an option for cable Internet, that should be your first choice simply because of what I like to call the, “bang for your buck factor” (Dollar amount vs. Internet speed) .  Most cable connection, nowadays, run somewhere between 3-10 Mbps on average (3000 – 10,000 Kbps) for about $55 per month, DSL comes in a close second at roughly .25-8 Mbps (256-8,000 kbps) for around $45 per month on average.  If neither of these two are available, Satellite Internet is the next best thing.  Sure, it’s not perfect for online gaming or internet telephones, but for about $69 per month on average for about 1,000 Kbps or 1Mbs, it’s a steal compared to paying for a phone line and a dial up service (about $50 per month )  that you will, undoubtedly, be unhappy with.  Let’s talk about that while we’re on the subject. Why would someone pay for a land line, besides out of habit, when everyone they care about has their cell phone number and the only people who call the landline when it’s not tied up are telemarketers? Yes friends, it’s true, the landline has now been rendered useless except for its express purpose of annoyment.

Now, I don’t want to give you the impression that I’m all smoke and mirrors, and because facts are required for the correct analysis of any set of data, I will now present to you the logical argument for Satellite Internet vs. Cable/DSL, observe. According to Spacenews.com, it costs Wildblue Satellite Internet Service, for example, $400 million to build and make functional their new satellite. Alternately, the average cost to put up a commercial building and to run the cable lines for TV and internet, depending on the region, is under a couple million. Less upfront for the company means more bang for your buck  The fact of the matter is that if you live in rural America today, you don’t have many options for high speed internet and for a few more dollars than you are spending now on something you hate, spend the extra money on your happiness, you deserve it.

As the United States travels from land lines to cell phones, and computers become the rule rather than the exception, there is still a considerable percentage of the rural American population left behind. This gap of technology between corporate America and rural homes is often referred to as the Digital Divide.

A company called WildBlue has made huge strides in bridging the gap of technology between rural and corporate society by offering satellite internet. WildBlue satellite internet is basically the same concept as satellite television, only it provides high-speed broadband internet access to ALL areas that are outside of local cable or DSL range. WildBlue uses a small satellite dish, which delivers a KA band internet signal to virtually anywhere in the contiguous 48 Continental United States. WildBlue’s new satellite will give a chance for millions of households to have high-speed internet for the first time ever. The new satellite, which was launched to expand the existing satellites capacity, should be available to ALL customers as early as March, 2011.

With WildBlue’s penetration into rural America, more and more consumers will be able to enjoy the advantages of having broadband internet at their fingertips. Now the dream of working from your home or farm can become reality. Also, students or home schooled kids will have access to the tools they need for all their educational needs. Online classes are very prevalent in today’s society, and having broadband access is the only way to access these services effectively. Farmers can now communicate with the buyers of their products in a timely manner, as well as coordinate with suppliers efficiently. Besides having broadband for work, many families will now have access to purchase goods or services from their home instead of driving 50 miles to the nearest city. Now, surfing the internet for fun can be possible without spending all day in front of the computer screen waiting on your dial-up connection to work.

Satellite Internet Signal Comparison Between Ka Band And Ku Band Satellite Signal

I read a lot of discussion about whether Ka or Ku band is the better satellite internet technology.  The two major satellite internet companies in the United States are Hughesnet and WildBlue.  Hughesnet is based on Ku-band satellite technology and WildBlue is based on Ka-band satellite technology.  There are several advantages and disadvantages to the service provider of using either of these technologies.  However, in this article we will focus on these technologies’ performance in relation to the users.  I have put together some advantages and disadvantages of both types of technologies that will hopefully help you decide which might be the best for you.

Ka Band Advantages

- Generally higher frequency
- Smaller dish
- Generally lower latency
- Less Expensive Equipment
- Uses Spot Beam Technology

Ka Disadvantages

- More susceptible to rain fade
- More complicated instillation

Ku Band Advantages

- Less susceptible to rain fade
- Slightly easier to install
- US carriers offer higher bandwidth, but also cost more
- Available to more areas

Ku Band Disadvantages

- Larger Dish
- Equipment is more expensive
- Slightly higher latency

Although, there are clear advantages and disadvantages of each, in most cases they are not substantial enough to warrant basing a decision on.  When considering a satellite internet service it will prove to be much more beneficial to base the selection on the provider’s service plans, customer support, and monthly service costs.  However, there may be situations in which you should pay particularly close to the benefits of each of these satellite technologies.  The first is to check your location to see if you are able to get Ka band satellite internet service.  This service is available in most places, but because it uses spot beam technology, which is definitely a benefit, you might fall just in between two spot beams.  This happens very seldom, but it does happen.  In this case your only option would be Ku band technology.

If you live in what we in the Broadband industry refer to as a “dead zone” ( an area where cable and DSL internet aren’t available) then in order to fully participate in the 21st century you’re looking at two options; Wireless (Radio Frquency) service or Satellite High-Speed Internet.  

Pro Cons- Wireless internet’s Yin & Yang 

    As with all things, there are ups and downs to both WIFI and satellite internet.  However, from my personal experience with using both kinds of high speed internet and talking to countless WIFI subscribers, it can allow you to preform the same functions as all other broadband connections, if you are close enough to the tower from which you are receiving the signal.  Also, with wireless internet, you have obstruction issues not common with Satellite High Speed Internet (Wildblue or HughesNet) such as buildings, trees, moving vehicles – there are a multitude of animate and inanimate objects between your home and the tower which can dramatically effect your service. 

    With the recent acquisition of so many ‘mom and pop’ wireless organizations, who couldn’t handle the growth, once phone companies turned corporate conglomerates, such as AT&T, have put a lot of focus into the wireless internet realm hoping to reap what was sewn not only in urban areas but in the plains of rural America as well.  According to an article on fiercewireless.com, AT&T hit an all time high of wireless subscribers at 51 million + in the last quarter of 2009. Yes, all was well, until so many of those subscriber’s turned their backs on the Wireless heavyweight after finding out the hard way that they, like so many other rural area high speed internet providers, imposed strict limits and harsh monetary penalties for downloading content in excess of 5 gig per month.  Not only that but their speeds were reported on average to be around 100-600 kbps consistently, again, depending on how close you are to the device that is broadcasting the wireless signal.  

   So, in effect, wireless internet is good to have if you frequent different rural areas of the country where high speed is not available, yet you need to interact with mainstream America.  Maybe someone with an occupation such as a cattle ranch inspector or a Wildlife biologist who report their findings in real time from the field would benefit from this type of service. My advice is, if you do travel often (unless you have to pay $61 per month under a two year contract to be convinced otherwise) is to get a laptop that has a wireless card built into it, find a place of business or even the hotel you’re staying in when you’re out of town, and cross your fingers in hopes that someone is broadcasting a WIFI signal that you can use for free. 

Satellite stays Stationary yet Remains Spectacular 

    After doing some personal research that included calling some of the big names in wireless internet and pretending to try and sign up for service, i was utterly shocked at their lack of knowledge, not only about their own products (which was scary enough), but also about their ONLY competition in rural areas, satellite high speed internet.  I won’t name any names but, i called every major wireless provider in the book as well as on the web and the only comparison that any of them could give me was “satellite internet is slower because it’s new” (after a rep asked his supervisor, as the rep could alone not answer my question).  The truth is, in hard science, that a microwave, KA-band signal (used by satellite internet) is exponentially stronger and therefore more consistent than the RF (radio frequency) signal used by wireless.  Also, with a two-way satellite internet connection (Wildblue or Hughesnet), the only obstruction issues you would encounter would be those between the dish that is mounted on your property and the satellite(s) orbiting the Earth which reside in the southern sky above the Equator.  Because of the turbo-charged power of the signal sent out from the satellite, light clouds and light rain effect service only minimally. Different than satellite television, as a storm gets progressively worse, conversely your speed starts to decrease.  Now, if its the kind of storm that makes you want to unplug your computer, take it from someone who has lost a nice laptop to a lighting storm, and go with your gut.  

    The only bad news (for some), is that satellite internet is not a mobile unit by any means.  For R.V.ers, traveling sales people and the like who require or desperately need a high speed connection on-the-go, a mobile broadband card is probably their only option.  For the rest of the us in rural America who have a designated location where their computer stays most of the time, i can tell you with great confidence, that overall satellite high speed internet IS better than wireless. 

Why the limitations?

    When too many subscribers are added to either kind of service or when a number of those subscribers download too much, it effects everyone using that service dramatically. 

    It was originally thought that there was an infinite amount of bandwidth, so when satellite and wireless were first made available to the public, there were no download thresholds to protect the average user’s internet connection from being bogged down by all-day-everyday downloading internet junkies.  Once this problem was discovered, something had to be done and strangely, with the same goal in mind (to limit user’s downloading habits) the two internet mediums took different approaches to accomplish the set goal.  The Wireless companies decided to do what had worked for both landline and cell phone companies in the past. Charge overages ( i.e. most wireless companies allow 5 gig per month).  Like signing up for a specific amount of long distance minutes per month and then exceeding that limit, the wireless companies started (and still do) charging through the nose, per Megabyte of information downloaded, those who exceeded their limits without notifying the user at the time the threshold was reached.  This resulted in, just like on phone bills of past and present, gargantuan monthly invoices with no explanations as to why they were so huge. You can imagine the outrage and betray felt by the uninformed users of early, restricted wireless internet.

    The satellite internet companies chose a different, smarter, and yes more pocket book friendly path. Instead of charging overages, both Wildblue and Hughesnet decided to simply notify the users when or before they reached capacity and slow the connection speed down for an interval to ensure the users could not continue to download massive files such as full length movies or high-quality video thus leaving bandwidth available to the lighter users and keeping their speeds consistent.      

The Bottom Line: Which is cheaper?

    A hyper-relevant and probably the most frequently pondered question by those in the market for a rural high speed connection is one of pure economics.  Which one is cheaper, or between wireless and satellite, which gives you the most value? 

     Because the question is relative, both to what is available to you and what your budget looks like, the answer cannot simply be one or the other.  In some areas wireless may be cheaper, but you have to consider that you are not getting the same amount of speed satellite offers and you are limited much more on the amount of data you can download in a given period (which with wireless can actually result in a higher priced monthly bill if you exceed the limits imposed upon you).  Satellite Internet can run (depending on your location and the speed you choose) anywhere from $39-$99 per month for anywhere from 512 – 2000kbps while wireless usually runs between $35-$89 per month for (again, depending on your location and the speed you choose) 100 – 1500kbps.  

So in a nutshell, wireless can be cheaper in some places, but as the old adage goes, “you get what you pay for”.