Weather Banter - View Single Post - [OT] Broadband satellite launches in French Guiana

Alan LeHun · November 27th 10, 12:39 PM posted to uk.sci.weather

In article ,
says...
10-15 years ago, there was an ISP that used satellite communications. Can't
remember the name or why I didn't sign up for it. Probably too pricey.

There are two problems with satellite BB. One is latency which can be
very large (remember the delays between questions and answers on live
transatlantic interviews). I have not heard of any practical solution
for this. Albert says that there isn't one.

The other is the uplink which requires a professionally set up dish to
provide and due to radio emission laws in many countries requires a very
accurate set up. This is not insurmountable. It's also difficult for the
satellite to accommodate many users over a large geographical footprint.
The UK isp (the name of which I can't remember either) solved this by
using a telephone line to provide the uplink and a satellite to provide
the downlink. It was indeed, very pricey.

--
Alan LeHun