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Article: What Do You Do When You Can't Get Broadband Internet
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Internet By Satellite (when there's no other choice)
So you've bought that lovely property you saw while you were on holiday in France. It's in a lovely little village in the rolling countryside. Miles from anywhere. You intend to do bed and breakfast or maybe run a small gite. Maybe you intend to run another type of business from there.
But alas, now that the excitement of buying your house has worn off slightly and you face the realities of life in France you're discovering a few things you wish you had thought about when you were buying the property.
Amongst the myriad of paperwork, signatures and meetings you've had to go to, you have overlooked the internet.
Minor point you may think.
And indeed to a lot of people the internet comes low down on the priority list, and rightly so. However for those people who intend to run a business or who simply rely on the internet to conduct their day to day affairs, then the internet should probably have been a higher priority. This is because in rural France you may not be able to get broadband. No ADSL or cable. Cut off from the big wide world. Alone. Okay it's not quite that bad, but for a business high-speed internet communications is a must.
So, what do you do? Dial-up connection. Surely not. Lets face it, most sites these days are made to be accessed by a high speed internet service aren't they?
Just accessing your on-line bank would take forever through dial-up.
It may seem that there is no answer. Well help is at hand. There is a way. Satellite.
Now don't fall asleep or walk away at the thought of the cost just yet. Let me explain a little about it first…then fall asleep or walk away.
There are companies that will allow you to access the internet through satellite technology. And before you ask, no, you can't use your SKY dish.
These companies install a dish (quite a big one) and that dish (and a modem) allow you to access the internet just as you would at home. No unplugging your phone line so you can connect your PC, no worrying funny noises as your PC connects, and best of all no really expensive phone bills when you forget to disconnect.
The satellite system is always connected, just start your browser and hey presto, you're on the internet. Fallen asleep yet?
Okay lets get down to the really boring stuff then (just in case you're not asleep yet).
The technical bits and pieces – well it uses a standard called DVB-S…..zzzzzz.
You're right it is boring. I'll try and stick to the less boring bits.
The system is always connected to the internet. This means you just need to start your browser and you're connected. Or you can leave your email on and set it to check for mail every 10 minutes say. That way you are up to date on your emails all the time.
What about the speed of it? For most of the basic home use packages it downloads at speeds of 500kbps….zzzzz. I know I know, it's boring. What that actually means though is it's quite fast (though not as fast as a 2mb and above ADSL or cable connection). It means that you can surf and download your mail relatively quickly (10 times faster than dial-up).
What are the advantages of satellite broadband:
Well you can get it in places you won't get ADSL or cable.
It is much quicker than dial-up.
It is always connected (frees up your phone line, no unplugging and plugging in cables).
You know how much you have to pay every month.
You can attach a wireless network to it.
What are the disadvantages:
It is a very large dish.
It is expensive (the equipment, installation and the monthly charge).
Not as fast as fast ADSL or cable.But if you're stuck out in the middle of nowhere and you need broadband for your business then satellite is the way to go.
Try here for an internet satellite supplier:
Published 4 th September 2006 by BourgogneHomes.com. All rights reserved. Reproduction prohibited.
Published 04/09/2006. All rights reserved. Copyright BourgogneHomes.com.