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Orion27 · Sep 12, 2003, 04:20 PM

I have to purchase satellite internet connection. The new Hughes DW4020 system is what I'd like to purchase. What is the least expensive way to purchase these components?
My home is already wired and the outside pole is wating for a dish. I've talked to a Skycasters
rep in Virginia beach, but he will not back away from $350 plus this plus that install charges even though I'm set up. Let me buy the components and set it up myself. Charge a reasonable consult fee if they must.. Any ideas?

Uday's Carcass · Sep 12, 2003, 06:22 PM

I've read from other providers that the FCC requires a professional to install this type of equipment, which would explain their hardheadedness on the install issue. You won't be able to avoid the high overhead of satellite broadband. The startup costs are extreme.

Orion27 · Sep 12, 2003, 08:12 PM

Why would the FCC require this kind of regulation, it only serves the purpose of driving up costs. It's remarkable how slow the Bells and cable companies are in penetrating certain markets. If information is power, the high costs of access certainly disenfranchise large segments of society. Being only two hours from DC, it amazes me how archaic the infrastructure still is.

Uday's Carcass · Sep 12, 2003, 10:58 PM

Originally posted by Orion27:
Why would the FCC require this kind of regulation, it only serves the purpose of driving up costs. It's remarkable how slow the Bells and cable companies are in penetrating certain markets. If information is power, the high costs of access certainly disenfranchise large segments of society. Being only two hours from DC, it amazes me how archaic the infrastructure still is.

it sucks, I know. I lived out in the boonies for many years and broadband won't be out there for decades to come.

maybe the reason the FCC requires a pro install is that the dish is two-way--it receives but also transmits. Satellite transmissions to earth and, on the flip side, signals from earth back to them may be something currently regulated by the FCC. I'm just making an educated guess here.

ghporter · Sep 13, 2003, 03:32 PM

Uday's hit the nail on the head. The dish has to be installed just so, as does the rest of the RF equipment, to prevent interference. You could have problems from a local mercury vapor street lamp, or cause your neighbor's TV to freak out if there was a problem.

Have you contacted DirecTV's DirectPC (or is it DirectWay now?) about this? They are reputed to have good Mac options, and they are pretty popular-which leads me to believe they aren't outrageously expensive.

Uday's Carcass · Sep 13, 2003, 05:43 PM

Originally posted by GHPorter:
Have you contacted DirecTV's DirectPC (or is it DirectWay now?) about this? They are reputed to have good Mac options, and they are pretty popular-which leads me to believe they aren't outrageously expensive.

DTV's prices are comparable to other providers. You're looking at around US$500 for equipment and install, plus $75-99 for the first 12 months.

Orion27 · Sep 13, 2003, 07:06 PM

Direct TV does not offer a Mac option. They redirect you to Skycasters. A DW4020 Ethernet
install from Skycasters is: Equipment $1499 plus $200-325 installation Plus $119 per month service which is why I started this thread::http://www.skycasters.com/