Action Steps for Selecting a Satellite Internet Provider
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for training to get certified for satellite Internet services

Look for training that will prepare you for the CSI test as the first move in your Internet satellite career. Find online instruction sites that provide free practice tests and follow-up so that you can improve on your skills and earn other certifications.

I recommend: Get training that can prepare you for your entry-level installer certifications as well as other training that you'll need throughout your career at ETA International. Get a slew of entry-level and continuing education course through the online classes at Application Technology Strategy.

Find advanced training for satellite ISP management

Diversify your education by looking for training in other services that you can include on your resume. As you progress in the field of satellite Internet services, consider adding courses in technology acquisition, intellectual property licensing or satellite spacecraft technology.

I recommend: Get online training so that you can get started in the business at Ground Control. Find advanced training for certified technicians through the courses at Mobil Satellite Technologies.

Join associations for satellite Internet service providers

Most trade associations offer continuing education and professional development courses for their members. Satellite Internet service providers must deal with sales, government regulations, licensing for patents and many other responsibilities that associations can help you with. They can also be a great source of direct technical training.

I recommend: Get certifications and the training you need to succeed through the Satellite Broadcasting & Communications Association. The Satellite Technician and Retailer Society is a professional trade group that offers members training beyond the basic technical aspects of the industry, as well as opportunities for advanced technical courses.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  One of the biggest training organizations for broadband satellite Internet providers is the United States military. If you are considering joining the military, ask about satellite training so that you'll be prepared to step into a career when you get out.

Guide to Satellite Internet Providers

How to get the best Internet service via satellite for home or office.

By Greg Brown

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Satellite Internet for consumers is easy to buy

Satellite Internet providers are, not surprisingly, few. Mostly, it's the existing satellite TV companies trying to bundle another service into their dish offering. There are some basic comparison points between satellite Internet service and traditional cable or telecom Internet, but cost is usually the main factor.

I recommend: Generally, satellite Internet providers give away the hardware, but not always. Take a look at offerings from satellite internet providers like HughesNet (which used to be part of DirecTV), DirecTV itself (now owned by News Corp.), DishNetwork and pure satellite ISP WildBlue, which is the satellite Internet provider behind DishNetwork.

Business users are an increasing slice of the satellite Internet provider market

For quite a while, satellite ISP providers were seen as just keeping telecoms honest. But they have made increasing inroads to the corporate market, where budgets are fatter and reliable high-speed Internet is integral to the business.

I recommend: Satellite ISP packages can run into hundreds of dollars a month, but they usually include much greater maximum speeds, faster uploads (for financial data, for instance), storage space, e-mail addresses and a host of other corporate needs. HughesNet is a big provider of satellite Internet service, although for satellite Internet, providers like DirecTV and DishNetwork compete, too, as well as smaller satellite Internet providers like Skycasters, V-Sat Systems and WildBlue.

In some cases, a satellite Internet service could be the only choice

The big thing about Internet service through a satellite is that you need only have a clear view of the southern sky to get a strong signal. In many parts of the country, cable isn't easy to get, and broadband via the phone company isn't much better. Enter the satellite ISP.

I recommend: Most big providers of satellite Internet service serve satellite TV and Internet customers in the suburbs or countryside. SKYfx focuses primarily on rural markets. See also the Business.com directories on related satellite Internet service topics, including satellite ISP phone services, satellite Internet antennas, and satellite radio services like XM and Sirius.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Like most terrestrial systems, the downloading speed from a satellite ISP is much faster than uploading, but you can often buy faster uploads from satellite Internet providers for an additional monthly fee. It rarely matters for consumers, though.
• •  When doing a cost comparison, ask satellite Internet providers about 'up-front' discounts for pre-paying the quarter, half-year or full-years fees of your Internet service.
• •  Beware of packages that seem to offer free hardware but then jack in 'installation fees' instead. Deal with reputable resellers of satellite Internet service. It doesn't hurt to get references.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Receive important news daily from satellite ISP providers

Email alerts, RSS feeds and industry newsletters can provide you with news as it happens, the latest trend pieces and information about new broadband developments, global positioning advancements and which organizations are getting on board with wireless satellite technology.

I recommend: Sign up for one of the many news feeds from Broadband Wireless Exchange Magazine. Internet Space brings you the most recent insider news that you need to keep up with the movement within the industry.

Read about the latest satellite Internet news that drives your business decisions

Take time to read in-depth reports and publications that cover the industry further than the headlines in areas such as Federal Communications Commission regulations and how they will affect the industry, new satellite hardware developments and reviews of new products and services.

I recommend: Read DSLReports.com to get a rundown of the latest headlines that are affecting the news and trends in the satellite world. Keep up with the blogs and articles provided for readers at Information Week.

Join Internet satellite provider groups to learn insider news and views

Association with other professionals will provide you with an inside track to news by providing publications about satellite developments written by industry experts and members of the organization with various levels of expertise. Look for publications from local chapters of your organization to keep up with news being made by your area providers and local governments. Build business with this information and by keeping up with the wireless needs in your local business community.

I recommend: Find news about important meetings and regulatory issues as well as global headline news through the Internet Society. Register with the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association to keep up with the trends.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Pay attention to news from government resources that utilize satellite Internet providers because they are one of the biggest users of new satellite developments.

Guide to Satellite Internet Providers Key Terms

Tune into satellite broadband after scanning these providers

By Kristan Hart

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

HughesNet

HughesNet, a leading provider of satellite Internet, can provide connectivity anywhere. HughesNet satellite Internet can connect you at one location, or even at multiple office locations.

I recommend: Read about satellite broadband capabilities on the HughesNet website. That's where you'll find a case study about connectivity capabilities in rural areas, like a cattle ranch.

SkyWay USA

Satellite Internet through SkyWay USA comes with reliable high speed satellite Internet access, affordable prices for satellite broadband and friendly service provided by rural Americans. SkyWay USA's satellite Internet technology is different from other companies because it rarely suffers connectivity problems during bad weather.

I recommend: SkyWay USA, a provider of satellite broadband, details its services on its website.

Wild Blue Satellite Internet

Wild Blue Satellite Internet service is up to 30 times faster than a regular dial up Internet connection. You can connect to Wild Blue Satellite Internet via an ethernet cable or wirelessly using a wireless router or wireless hub.

I recommend: Read about Wild Blue Satellite Internet on the company's website.

StarBand Satellite Internet, Connexstar

StarBand Satellite Internet is satellite broadband designed specifically for small businesses and home offices. Service is available throughout North America and Central America. Connexstar offers satellite broadband through the same parent company, but it's designed for large corporation and governments.

I recommend: The Spacenet website details features of StarBand Satellite Internet, as well as Connexstar.

IP Access International

IP Access International is a satellite Internet provider that offers optimum service levels through its business satellite Internet connectivity solutions.

I recommend: Read about IP Access International satellite Internet on the company's website. Its Broadband Internet access is available through both domestic and international satellites.

Skycasters Satellite Internet

Skycasters Satellite Internet offers satellite Internet as primary or backup Internet connections for businesses. It's possible to customize Skycasters Satellite Internet equipment and service so it meets your business needs in even the most rugged conditions.

I recommend: Browse the Skycasters Satellite Internet website to read about the company's business-grade approach to service and equipment.