Satellite internet is very different to the internet most of us are using on our smart phones or NBN home internet. This guide is designed to teach you all the basics behind the different satellite internet technologies and how they compare to what we use in the city. When working with satellite internet, the first and most important aspect to understand, is that internet over satellite is allot more expensive than mobile phone internet and generally allot slower. When looking at internet use, generally we see 4 very distinct different types of use. This guide will go over a number of different solutions and relate them back to the 4 different usage types. If you have any questions regarding satellite internet, please feel free to reach out to one of our helpful staff on (Insert Number here).
Below you will find 4 different levels of satellite internet. Before moving forward with this document, please take a moment to ask yourself a couple of questions. As you move through the document, you will be able to find a solution that meets your needs.
- What do I need to do, while on the internet, outside of mobile coverage?
- How often do I need to use these programs or apps?
- How many people will use the internet?
- How long will I need remote internet for?
- Limited Internet Use – Solutions with limited internet use, can achieve the following:
- Websites which only display text or special apps which display compressed information – Eg. Predicted Wind for weather updates or a dedicated email app which shrinks down your emails to send and receive them over a very slow internet speed. Generally, using normal apps you use every day on your phone, will not work over the limited internet use devices.
- Basic Internet Use - Solutions with limited basic internet use, can achieve the following:
Basic internet use allows you to web browse on websites with a small number of images (Eg. –bom.gov.au and basic news websites). These require no secure logins (Eg.– internet banking, eBay). These devices will also be able to access email via standard apps that you currently use on your phone or computer, however if the emails you receive have large attachments (images, PDF’s or programs), than they might take a very long time to download (up to 20 minutes to bring down a large attachment). Performing a search on a search engine (Eg. Google & Bing) can take up to 1 minute to receive the results.
- Moderate to advanced Use - Solutions with moderate to advanced internet use, can achieve the following:
When using satellite internet, moderate to advanced examples would include, Internet banking, remote desktops, VPN’s, one on one Zoom or Microsoft teams calls, websites with secure login’s (eBay, Accounting websites) and social media (Facebook, Instagram). All of these functions can be carried out over a moderate to advanced satellite internet connection. However, the speed will not be as fast as you experience now in the city. The quality of the video call will have to be on standard definition and might not have perfect resolution.
- Advanced Use - Solutions with advanced basic internet use, can achieve the following:
If you are looking to have an internet solution which is able to watch YouTube, Netflix, play games, run a full video meeting on Zoom or Microsoft Teams or have multiple people use the internet at the same time for the previously mentioned activities, you will need to look at the Advanced internet solutions. Advanced Internet is very similar to the internet you experience in the city; however you will have a longer latency. Latency is the time it takes for the request you make (maybe entering in a website into your web browser) and the time it takes for that action to be processed. Due to how far the internet signal needs to travel, (up to the satellite than back down to earth), you will always have a latency delay on all internet and voice services.
Satellite internet can come in 2 version, fully portable or Fixed / Semi portable internet solution. A fully portable internet solution can be carried easily by a single person and can be setup to be used within minutes of arriving onsite. It could even be used while driving. A fixed / semi portable solution will require installation by a trained technician and is too large to be carried by a single person. Portable solutions come in several options, however, the fastest experience you will be able to achieve is a “moderate to advanced” speed. The fixed / Semi potable solutions do deliver up to the advanced speed options.
Portable satellite Internet Solutions:
Iridium GO! - Limited Internet Use
Price: $1299
Satellite Network – Iridium (coverage maps can be found here)
Plans Per month: $50-$209
Basic Overview: The Iridium GO! is a satellite smart phone adapter, once turned on, the unit will make a Wi-Fi network that you connect to on your smart phone or tablet. For internet use, you must use the app provided by Iridium. As the internet on this device is extremely slow, only specially made apps will work. A list of all Iridium approved apps can be found HERE . Please note only apps on the Iridium list will work with your Iridium GO!. If you would like to use apps not on this list, you will need to look at alternative solutions.
Find Out more Here:
Explorer 510 - Moderate to advanced
Price: $4699
Running Cost Per month: $110 - $2190
Satellite Network – Inmarsat (coverage maps can be found here)
Basic Overview:
The Explorer 510 is a fully portable, entry level stand-alone internet terminal. The terminal has fast enough internet to conduct internet banking, 1 on 1 video chat and conduct standard email. The unit is small enough to fit in a backpack (1.4KG) and has a built-in battery. The 510 does not offer the ability to connect an external antenna, this feature is found in the Hughes 9202M.
When the Explorer 510 is turned on, the unit will make a Wi-Fi network for your computer or smart phone to connect too. The unit can have multiple computers or phones connected at one time. However the more devices you have connected, the slower the internet will be for all users (one pile of internet getting split up as many devices you have connected to it). With 1 device connected, a Google search will take only a few seconds longer than what your experience on your device in town (around 5- 10 seconds slower).
Find Out more Here:
Hughes 9202M - Moderate to advanced
Price: $5699
Running Cost Per month: : $110 - $2190
Satellite Network – Inmarsat (coverage maps can be found here)
Basic Overview:
The Hughes 9202M is a fully portable entry level stand-alone internet terminal. The terminal has fast enough internet to conduct internet banking, 1 on 1 video chat and conduct standard email. The unit is small enough to fit in a backpack (1.4KG) and will operate for up to 36 on standby mode while running off it’s battery. The 9202m can be connected to external antennas which can be used on a vehicle, while driving, or on a roof to allow the unit to work from inside.
When the Hughes 9202m is turned on, the unit will make a Wi-Fi network for your computer or smart phone to connect too. The unit can have multiple computers or phones connected at one time. However the more devices you have connected, the slower the internet will be for all users (one pile of internet getting split up as many devices you have connected to it). With 1 device connected, a Google search will take only a few seconds longer than what your experience on your device in town (around 5- 10 seconds slower).
Find Out more Here:
Fixed / Semi Portable satellite Internet Solution
Fleet One Basic Internet Use / Moderate to advanced
Price: $4599
Running Cost Per month: $78 - $780
Basic Overview: The Fleet One terminal is designed for a vehicle, however, can be installed on a building, if required. However the antenna on the terminal is too large to mount on a standard vehicle. The Fleet One sits in between basic internet use and moderate to advance use depending on what programs you wish to run. The unit does not have the internet speed to do video conferencing, however, can be used for internet banking if working on a tablet or smart phone (smart phone apps require less speed). The Fleet One has a number of plan options, if this is a product you are considering, please reach out to one of our team members for additional assistance.
Find Out more Here:
Iridium Certus - Moderate to advanced
Price: $10499 - 12000
Running Cost Per month: $120 - $3670
Basic Overview: The Iridium Certus Solutions offer the fastest internet speeds from the smallest solution. The Certus solution can deliver internet fast enough to video conference one on one, do internet banking, remote desktop work and basic video streaming of YouTube and Netflix. Due to the size of the antenna needed to run the Certus units, the antenna will need to be fixed to a building, vehicle or boat.
Find Out more Here:
VSAT Fixed– Advanced
Price: Equipment ; $3000-$5000 + Install Cost (Hire Options available )
Running Cost Per month: $500-$10,000
Basic Overview: VSAT offers allot faster internet than any other satellite solution on the market. VSAT operates off a fixed or semi portable (see information below) dish, which need to be professionally installed (like getting Foxtel installed). VSAT can provide speeds like people receive in the city and offers unlimited plans. A VSAT Solution is perfect for a business to operate in remote locations that require their staff to contact each other through video conference calls (including having multiple staff on a call), stream Netflix or YouTube during down times or send large important files.
If you are setting up in a location for longer than 4 months and need high speed remote internet, VSAT is the best technology for the job.
Find Out more Here:
Kymeta U8 Grab & Go:
Price: $40,000-$50,000 (Hire Options available )
Running Cost Per month: $500-$10,000
The all new Kymeta U8 GO Terminal provides a complete remote connectivity solution for satellite internet on-the-go. The GO terminal is quick and easy to setup and only requires power to get working. With a new beam steering technology for quick and easy setup and the lowest profile of any remote data solution the U8 terminal can be mounted easily on vehicles, vessels and trailers.
The U8 terminals have the ability to just use satellite internet or if available the U8 can also provide 4G connectivity for your worksite. Remote Site Technologies also offers ready to go hire trailers with the U8 installed for jobs where companies are always on the move.
Features:
- Use On The Move Or On The Pause
- Broadband speed data for remote use
- No Mobile Coverage Required
- Portable Mobile Internet
- Australian Wide Coverage
- Acquisition time of less than 1 minute
VSAT Auto Dish – Advanced
Price: $50,000-$800,00 (Hire Options available )
Running Cost Per month: $500-$10,000
Basic Overview: VSAT offers allot faster internet than any other satellite solution on the market. If you need a solution that can be easily moved and doesn’t require an install from a professional, the VSAT Auto Dish is the solution for you. Built on a pallet, the auto dish can be setup within minutes of arriving on site and can deliver city-like broadband speed within minutes. The device is designed to automatically fold up when you need to move location and comes with a cage to keep the dish safe while being transported. Once you arrive at the new site, the unit needs to be plugged into power and the cage removed. The dish will then automatically align with the satellite giving you internet.
VSAT can provide speeds like people receive in the city and offers unlimited plans. A VSAT Solution is perfect for a business to operate in remote locations that require their staff to contact each other through video conference calls (including having multiple staff on a call), stream Netflix or YouTube during down times or send large important files.
