Satellite Internet has gotten a bad reputation over the years. In the 1990s when it first rolled out, it was worse than dial-up for ten times the price. Throughout the years, it’s been thought of as a “last ditch effort” kind of thing, if you absolutely must have internet. Most people have found the price just terrifying, and it’s driven people away from the technology in general.
But folks, it’s not like that anymore. Satellite-based internet is worth a second look, especially for marine users. And that means it’s worth a moment to look at some of the myths surrounding satellite internet. Chances are, you’ll agree that it’s a great option!
Myth 1: You can’t stream video with satellite internet.
Satellite-based internet is fast enough to stream HD video. There are plans which deliver 6Mbps down which will let you watch HD on most apps. No, it’s not as fast as the 100Mbps you might have at home, but it will work for one HD stream. It’s also fast enough that you’ll feel like you’re having a good experience on most shopping sites and other web sites.
Satellite-based internet is slower than other forms of internet because the signal travels such a long distance. That means it can’t be compressed quite as much, since a truly weak signal has more noise and doesn’t do as well with compression. But technologies keep improving and new sources of bandwidth can allow for faster speeds in the future.
Myth 2: Satellite internet doesn’t work on a boat
This comes back to the same reason people don’t think satellite TV works on a boat. Using a satellite internet system on land requires careful aiming, and it’s hard to imagine how that would translate to the marine experience.
On the water, VSAT dishes use similar technologies to marine satellite TV dishes. They use a combination of gyroscopes, computerized predictions, motors, and gears to keep that dish aimed precisely. Yes, this tends to make satellite internet dishes more expensive, but the quality of these devices means you’ll use them for years on end. Marine satellite systems are also built for the kind of severe weather and exposure to the elements that you expect.
Myth 3: Satellite internet is “like the wild west.”
Remember the early days of the internet? If you tried to connect in the early-to-mid 1990s, you remember that it was “the wild west” out there. You were on your own. You had to put together all the hardware you need, find a provider, and if something didn’t go right. you were on your own.
A lot of people think that satellite internet is a return to those days. It’s not. Providers like Signal Connect can help you choose the right hardware, arrange for installation, and give you a choice of plans that make sense. You can choose a low-priced plan for basic access to email and simple web pages, or a premium plan that gives you unlimited internet and streaming. You’ve got a friend in the business with Signal Connect and you don’t have to figure it all out yourself.
Start your satellite internet journey now. Call us at 888-233-7563 or fill out the form below. Just because you want to get away from it all doesn’t mean you have to be disconnected from it all!
