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Another Stab At Internet Access By Satellite

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the when-will-it-be-national-and-mobile dept.

dpilgrim writes "As someone who probably won't live long enough to see DSL or cable Internet reach my rural neighborhood, I follow the 'Satellite Wars' pretty closely. Looks like Echostar is claiming once again they have a viable high-speed Internet access satellite under construction. Really. They do. According to this AP story, they have pictures and all. The big news is that based on this 'new evidence' the FCC has rescinded their revocation of Echostar's license. Yes, this submission came to you 44,000 miles over Starband's satellite link, and Starband is an Echostar partner. Wonder how long that relationship will last?"

12 of 302 comments (clear)

  1. ID:4 by The_Rippa · · Score: 5, Funny

    But what about the alien threat that was presented in the Hollywood blockbusted Independence Day? Since alien's run MacOS-compatible systems and communicate using a protocol extactly similiar to our TCP/IP, this system, if put into place, would give them the last piece of the puzzle needed to blow up the White House! I urge Echostar to think of the children for Christ's sake!

    1. Re:ID:4 by fobbman · · Score: 2, Funny

      "... this system, if put into place, would give them the last piece of the puzzle needed to blow up the White House!

      And this is a problem...WHY?

    2. Re:ID:4 by rleibman · · Score: 2, Funny

      Which is why we should not go to IP6, it would make us incompatible with aliens and thus leave us totally unprotected.

  2. what about some hardcore 802.11b? by mr_gerbik · · Score: 5, Funny

    How about some hardcore 802.11b. All you need is a coffee can and an old satellite dish.

    Hardcore 802.11b

  3. Re:What's your experience? by mao+che+minh · · Score: 3, Funny

    I am planning on getting a DirecWay connection as well, but I am not concerned with the influece that inclinent weather or faulty physics might have on my latency. For I intend on using Debian, which will solve all of these potential problems before they ever get the chance to make themselves known. I have been assurred repeatedly by people with numbers in their Slashdot monikers that Debian's "apt-get" will solve every computing problem in any reference frame. Rumor has it that apt-get may even unify general relativity and quantum mechanics one day soon.

  4. so how big a market are they targeting? by eric_01 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Did a quick google search and came up with this article:

    http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,81284, 00 .asp

    Which says that 68% of homes have access to broadband. (I assume that means DSL and cable modems). As someone else so eloquently put before, "satellite latency sucks".

    So that means that satellite is targeting the remaining 32%... minus those that have trees or mountains obstructing the southwest sky... lets see, rural folks that don't have trees... i smell a money maker

  5. Re:What's your experience? by fobbman · · Score: 5, Funny

    I comment on satellite Internet. I was on Soviet space station Mir 7 month, and Internet connection was horrible. It was still far better than home Internet connection back in Russia.

  6. Re:Common in Nigeria by fobbman · · Score: 5, Funny

    Might you know a Doctor Auoi? I sent him some money and my bank account info awhile ago for help in freeing up a financial transaction and I haven't heard back from him.

    Thanks.

  7. That was easy for Echostar by Chastitina · · Score: 2, Funny

    The Federal Communications Commission in June revoked EchoStar's license for using the high-speed Ka-band frequency because it said the satellite TV company missed construction milestones.

    EchoStar immediately appealed and submitted a photograph of a satellite under construction with the high-speed capability.

    Gee, maybe all Saddam has to provide is photographic evidence and an appeal to overcome US objections to missing disarmament deadlines? ;)

  8. Re:Someone call Katz! by mhesseltine · · Score: 4, Funny

    Why? To push him over the edge?

    --
    Overrated / Underrated : Moderation :: Anonymous Coward : Posting
  9. No streaming porn to Antarctica... by Cheese+Cracker · · Score: 3, Funny

    the transfer rate was something akin (no exaggeration!) to 300Bps.

    I guess they'll have to survive by watching good old VHS tapes or DVD then... :)

  10. Re:High speed internet via satellite by Chainsaw+Messiah · · Score: 2, Funny
    upstream bandwith is about 64Kilobits/sec over the satellite, so it's not much better than dialup.

    Soooo .... it's not like I'm uploading pr0n ....