Monday, October 02, 2006

Satellite Broadband

"Satellite broadband to rural America has thus far been a niche business, but there are signs that it may be gaining traction. A new breed of competitive carriers is emerging as the cost of offering broadband over satellite falls and customers become more accepting of the idea of Internet from the heavens. One carrier is making its way into rural communities by targeting nursing homes, retirement communities, small businesses and single-family residences where the only telecom service available is a dial-tone. World Communication Center is using two-way satellite feeds to link directly to rural communities and then distributing that broadband connection using Strix mesh networking gear, which supports more than 700 simultaneous online users. Unlike other satellite broadband providers such as WildBlue or HughesNet, WCC doesn't own any satellites. It leases access from Iridium and Inmarsat, making it the satellite equivalent of a competitive carrier."

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