Satellite ISP Tips and Tricks to
Maximize Your Service

Satellite ISP Tips and Tricks  ~  Get The Right Equipment!

In order to successfully provide reliable communications services via satellite, you need to use the right equipment. As a satellite internet service provider, this is an area where you really can not afford to skimp. And ... the best equipment choice to develop your network beyond the limitations of the wired world is produced by iDirect Technologies.


What's more...
iDirect is widely recognized as the leading technology in satellite communications around the world because its Very Small Aperture Technology systems have performed consistently, reliably, and efficiently in all weather conditions - from desert sandstorms and frigid snowfalls to heavy tropical rains.


Also, iDirect can easily handle any business communication demand via satellite for any size subscriber group. It's no coincidence that iDirect is the preferred VSat platform required to operate the backbone for Satellite ISP, WISP businesses, and internet or cyber cafes worldwide.

The heart of this iDirect backbone system is the Infiniti® 5100 router which has been specifically designed for business critical applications. Along with the router, a high performance satellite dish antenna, transmitter and receiver complete the system hardware package.


Altogether, this iDirect backbone system provides a satellite ISP with the flexibility to startup with a less expensive BIR/CIR connectivity solution and upgrade smoothly to more costly dedicated SCPC (single channel per carrier) service, if required, as business grows. This is done without the need to invest in additional equipment which translates into substantial cost savings in the long run.


The 5100 router can support download speeds of up to 18 Mbps and uploads of up to 4.2 Mbps in the SCPC mode. It also offers high bandwidth efficiency at both the satellite and IP communications levels. In addition to IP efficiency, this router provides network design, power, space, management, and logistics - all in one hub. All of these features combined mean lower operational costs for you. Speed, dependability, versatility, and cost savings make this iDirect IP VSAT network system one of the most efficient on the market.


In case you didn't know ...
the iDirect system is available in both C-band (4-8 GHz frequency) and the high powered Ku-band (12-18 Ghz frequency) configurations. This convenience gives you the flexibility to select a system and satellite service, depending upon your location, that suits your service needs. C-band is the preferred equipment choice in areas where atmospheric conditions make satellite signal transmission and reception more challenging.


The C-band system uses a larger 2.4m satellite dish for improved signal transmission and better all-weather operating capability. C-band equipment is more expensive than the Ku-band system which employs a smaller, 1.8m satellite dish. While C-band equipment costs more, the monthly subscription charge for satellite bandwidth is less expensive than Ku-band service.


For peace of mind ...
The Infiniti® 5100 router mentioned above comes with an immediate 2 year replacement warranty from iDirect - one of the best assurances in the industry. You'll also have the confidence in knowing that any failures beyond the warranty can be quickly corrected with an inventory of parts with long term availability.

Learn how to build competitive service offerings to satisfy customer specific needs in data, voice and video through Building Provider Networks. It's a very informative book that delivers vital technical and business guidance for the internet service provider marketplace. Another valuable resource for ISP/WISP business operators is Developing IP-Based Services. It's a very good book that offers exceptional insight based on practical experience for service providers to start profitable, value-added network services businesses.

Satellite ISP Tips and Tricks  ~  Reliability is in the Connection!

Some important service characteristics to look for and consider in order to ensure good, dependable satellite service for your customers -

• Always look for satellite isp backbone connectivity from providers who guarantee at least 98% annual network uptime with a Service Level Agreement. Providers who offer this guarantee stand behind their service, and you can be assured that connectivity will be available to all of your subscribers 24/7 with minimal, if any, service outage.


• Be certain that backbone satellite isp service is secured through highly reputable satellite operators such as PanAmSat, Intelsat, Loral Skynet, Eutelsat SA or Gascom. These are top notch companies whose fleets of satellite spacecraft deliver reliable communications services worldwide. As a prospective satellite ISP, your success will depend on your ability to provide dependable service, cost effectively. This is one way to accomplish that goal.


• Verify that your provider's teleport operates with two back-up landline connections at the same time. This is known as redundant terrestrial connectivity which is necessary to provide a vital backbone link with major Tier-1 operators, such as, SWIP, AT&T, UUNet, Deutsche Telekom, Level(3) and MCI®. These operators provide the most reliable peer connections to important European and United States backbones. Remember... back-up connections are very important as they help prevent service outages.


• Reliable space segment capacity is critical for satellite isp operations to assure that dedicated CIR circuits do not contest with shared BIR bandwidth in order to properly meet the service needs of various applications as required. Make sure your connectivity provider has an operational plan to insure the continuous delivery of reliable space segment capacity.

Satellite ISP Tips and Tricks  ~  Service Options That Will Save You Money.

• As a startup satellite ISP; or, even as an existing small ISP operation, 100% dedicated SCPC backbone service is not absolutely necessary to address all of the communications needs of your subscribers as it can be very costly, and not all applications require full time dedicated access. Actually, you really do not have to acquire SCPC service until your business grows to the point where this expense can be justified.


Instead, look for a provider who is flexible with his services - one who can deliver a mix of Committed Information Rate (dedicated) service to accomodate VOIP (internet telephony), tele-conferencing and streaming video applications as needed and Burstable Information Rate (shared) service for Internet browsing, email, and file downloads.


This type of service combination is known as iDirect enabled backbone service. Studies have shown that it is up to 50% less expensive than SCPC service when subscriber levels are less than 2,000 in number. In addition to significant savings over exclusive SCPC service, iDirect backbone service permits you to offer inexpensive broadband connectivity at very competitive rates. Also, it will allow you to compete for new subscribers from other ISPs who are using older, less efficient access technologies.


• Shared bandwidth or BIR service for a satellite ISP/WISP should have a contention ratio of at least 1:8. This ratio refers to the number of other users who would be sharing the same segment space on the satellite. Accordingly, the lower the ratio, the more responsive the service will be.


The 1:8 ratio is one of the best ratios for bandwidth intensive environments, such as ISP and Hot Spot applications. It is the industry standard for high quality broadband internet access worldwide, and it is commonly used in terrestrial frame relay connections throughout Europe and the United States.


• Be certain to order Voice Over IP telephony services from an international carrier with a global IP network like MCI®. Such networks provide redundancy which produces the lowest transit latency,as well as, a high success call ratio for internet telephony and fax services. The end result is first class service for your subscribers. Acquiring this business quality VOIP service from your satellite backbone service provider saves time and is less costly than arranging such services independently.

Key VOIP service features to look for ~

- Premium quality termination for lowest cost call routing.

- Duplicate terrestrial connectivity service for stability and greatest network uptime.

- Multiple interconnection protocols for service compatibility with most hardware and software.

- Flexible codecs support for smooth telephone system interoperation.


• Satellite ISP and internet cafe operators can extend the reach of their networks up to 40 km by utilizing wireless access points in a local area network. This wireless backbone service will allow you to provide internet access to local businesses and neighborhoods beyond the reach of local infrastructure 24/7; thus increasing revenues and reducing overall operating costs.

Learn how smart service solutions for Satellite WISP operators saves money and expands your LAN reach at the same time!

A very important issue facing ISP operators today involves liability. New governmental regulations may have a great impact on how you do business. Learn which ones affect you and how to protect yourself in the ISP Liability Survival Guide.

Satellite ISP Tips and Tricks  ~  Great Service From A Reliable Provider.

Not all satellite backbone service providers can deliver the services required for satellite ISP, internet cafe, hot spot or enterprise network operation efficiently and cost effectively.


In order for for you to compete with other internet service providers and deliver mult-media rich connectivity services to end users competitively, you need to start with the right service. In my opinion, iDirect enabled backbone service is the answer, especially for small to medium sized ISP/WISP operations.


It's a hybrid combination of dedicated and shared bandwidth satellite service that performs comparably to Single Channel Per Carrier service but is less expensive when subscriber levels are below 2,000. And... it can grow as your satellite isp business grows!


Where can you get the details on this satellite ISP service? ...

from a provider who has satellite industry expertise with access to services from a fleet of over 19 satellites worldwide and partnerships with some of the best technology providers in the world. That provider is BusinessCom


What makes their service excel? ...

BusinessCom believes that high bandwidth efficiency means lower operational costs for the ISP or service operator. However, efficiency should not compromise application performance, and at the same time, it should be cost-effective.


It's a great philosophy that BusinessCom successfully applies in the service of satellite ISP subscribers worldwide. The end result is an excellent service - one that offers solutions to promote business growth for minimal ISP service, as well as, large segment ISP operations.


The thing is.... for satellite ISP businesses, BusinessCom offers ~

• multiple service enhancements at both the satellite communications and traffic (IP) levels to ensure one of the highest bandwidth efficiencies in the industry.

• iDirect enabled backbone service - a hybrid combination of CIR (dedicated segment) and BIR (shared segment) bandwidth to deliver business quality VOIP service, video conferencing and streaming applications, as well as, internet access.

The service is << comparable to SCPC service but up to 50% less expensive!>>
It can also be easily upgraded to SCPC service, as needed, without any further investment in equipment.

• iDirect satellite backbone connectivity that incorporates both 1:8 and 1:4 contention ratios - one of the best suited for any kind of bandwidth intensive environments, especially ISP and Hot Spot applications.

• backbone service that includes a proprietary software solution called PEP iDirect. This integration of HTTP and TCP acceleration provides a speed boost of 400% over standard VSat service to overcome signal transmission delay associated with RTT latency. This results in faster service response and download speeds for end users.

• an array of security, quality of service mechanisms, and network monitoring to ensure first class satellite communications service for satellite isp operators worldwide.

• wireless connectivity solutions for WISPs through a partnership with smartBridges to deploy far reaching wireless networks cost-effectively.

Providers of Satellite ISP Backbone Service Worldwide!

An excellent source of detailed information on VSAT systems and their role in the construction of satellite networks is VSat Networks by Gérard Maral.

The book includes and in depth discussion on dedicated satellite communications with regard to network configuration, as well as, the economies of such endeavors and the operational and regulatory aspects of these services.

Get VSat Networks here

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