Mythbusters: Satellite Edition

In a Fibre driven world, it’s not very often we hear the term Satellite – unless the recent thunderstorms have knocked your DSTV off-kilt (which, incidentally, you can prep for with Vox Weather ??).

It seems outdated – why would I build a giant dish on my lawn when I can plug in a router and get connected in no time? Common misconception – as Satellite Internet is far, far more than just a round dish for aliens to admire from a distance.

In fact, it’s simply a type of connectivity which uses a satellite to transmit your signal. Here’s the deal: your provider sends a Fibre Internet signal to their satellite dish in space (we see you, Shuttleworth). This internet signal is then captured by that giant lawn ornament you now enjoy. From there, it’s to your modem and then to your PC and, before you know it, you’re binge-watching Squid Game on the super-fast company Internet.

Why should we care? We can just get Fibre?

True, but the difference between the two is that Fibre can’t always be rolled out just anywhere – there has to be a Fibre line, only certain areas are covered (it’s a long story, basically).

Satellite, however, presents a viable, feasible and tangible alternative to its more famous younger brother.

And, over the years, the process has evolved quite a bit. You can find plans which reach speeds in excess of 100 Mbps – more than enough to support a family, business or room full of Internet users. If you live in a farm, dorpie or even a rural area, Satellite may actually be your best bet. The beauty part? It doesn’t compromise on quality.

What should I be aware of when choosing my satellite internet plan?

Like with any type of internet, you’ll want to determine what speeds you need and your budget. While it’s tempting to get the fastest plan, you don’t need to overpay for speeds you won’t actually use.

Picking a Satellite Internet plan should be based on what activities you and everyone else in the home plan on doing. Slower speeds will work for web browsing and Email checking, but for streaming TV like Netflix, you’ll want faster speeds. But, full disclaimer, Satellite Internet might not always have the speeds you need to stream in 4K or HD.

Don’t forget that, sadly, it also comes with Data caps. Unlike some cable and Fibre plans, Satellite generally isn’t available in uncapped or unlimited bundles. So, once you hit a certain amount of Data, your internet provider could start charging an additional fee or throttle your speed. ?

What kind of equipment comes with satellite internet?

If you’re considering switching to Satellite, then your provider will use very specific equipment. Contrary to what the name suggests, most options come only with a modem, wireless router, and network cable. So why do we call it Satellite? Well, it used to come with larger equipment in the past, but many providers have smaller, more compact equipment now. Some providers use a dish so that the signal can reach easier, although that’s also not as common anymore.

Some Satellite internet myths and facts worth debunking:

Myth 1: Satellite internet is too slow

We can actually reach speeds of up to 100 Mbps – which is more than substantial for the average household.

Back in the day, connection used to be extremely slow (download speeds averaged around 750, wait for it, KBPS!), but advancements in technology have (thankfully) allowed for faster speeds and a better overall experience. Phew.

Myth 2: It takes a long time to receive a signal

You likely won’t notice any difference in how quickly you can do things online with Satellite versus how quickly you could do them with cable or DSL. In fact, unless you’re a pro-gamer, the high latency likely won’t affect you at all. (Latency = the time it takes for Data to be sent and received).

Latency is higher with Satellite than it is with cable, DSL, and Fibre. Why? Well, because satellites are positioned 22,000 miles above the earth, the Data has a longer way to travel. Now, this may mean delayed response times (so goodbye, online FIFA) but, more the most part, general activities such as browsing, mailing, IG stalking and posting can continue as normal.

Myth 3: Satellite internet doesn’t work when it’s cloudy, rainy, or stormy

While it’s true that severe thunderstorms, heavy snow, or blizzards can interrupt transmission temporarily, the problem isn’t as significant as you might think.

Storm-related interruptions are commonly called “rain fade,” and the signal is restored as soon as the storm passes. See? No harm, no foul, no long-term headaches.

It seems as if there are many outdated, badly aged misconceptions when it comes to all things Satellite – which we’re more than happy to clear up. Is it the best form of connectivity with the highest speeds, security and reliability? Probably not. But in the absence of Fibre, is it an alternative worth considering which won’t let you know? You can bet your hat on it!?