How to choose a satellite internet service
As the number of satellite providers grows, it's important that consumers know what questions to ask so that they get the most appropriate service.
Here are the five things you need to ask before choosing your satellite broadband provider:
What is their track record? As with any technical service, providing broadband satellite connectivity is not simple; there's a learning curve involved and everyone will make mistakes in the beginning. Ask how long they've been in the business and how many successful installations they've completed. Also don't forget to check their after-sales service record. If something goes wrong, how quickly can they promise to fix it?
What is their national footprint? If you're considering satellite Internet because there simply isn't a decent alternative, the chances are that you're not near a major city. In that case, it's important to check what installers and service technicians are permanently based close by. If you're on a farm near Queenstown or Kimberley or Polokwane, how soon can they get to you if lightning strikes your modem during the rainy season - a few hours? A day or two? A week?
What value will you get for your money? Price is important, but it's not the only consideration. If the package you're being offered looks like fantastic value compared to the competition, ask about the "contention ratio". This refers to how many people have to share the same connection - the more people, the slower the service you will get. That's how ISPs are able to offer cheap uncapped Internet: they increase the contention ratio so that many people are sharing the same bandwidth. It's profitable for the ISP, but unless you don't mind idling in traffic jams you might want to seek out a less contended service.
What other services can they provide? Once you have a broadband Internet connection, you can use it for a lot more than just Facebook and surfing the Web. You may also have the ability to make phone calls, send SMS messages, register your own web domain, host a web site, and more. Ask the salesman what other services they're able to offer.