Satellite Internet access has increased greatly in speed over the last five years. At one time, satellite broadband was a product used almost exclusively by customers who required high speed access in remote locations. Those days are long gone, however. Dropping prices, the increasing popularity of other satellite-based products and the convenience of the service have made it more of a viable option for any broadband customer.
Broadband speeds offered by satellite services have become comparable to those offered by any other service. There is great flexibility in these services, as well. In the past ten years, the amount of speed that providers can offer their customers has increased more quickly than the amount of speed demanded by most Internet applications. Streaming video, for instance, is easily viewable over a 1Mbps connection. Two computers can easily share a 3Mpbs connection, even if one of them happens to be streaming audio and the other streaming video. This means that many broadband subscribers are overpaying.
Cable Internet tends to spend a great deal of time advertising that it offers up to 8Mbps of download speed. This speed is excellent for networks with many users, all of whom are downloading at the same time. For most households, overkill is an understatement in describing such speeds. That overkill comes at a high premium, as well. Satellite service allows a more tailored subscription. Even families with gamers among their number will likely never need such high speeds and, if it's not needed, it's not worth paying for. Satellite allows customers to pay for as much service as they need and no more, a great way to save money in tough economic times.
For businesses, satellite has become fast enough to accommodate the most demanding users. Especially for businesses which aren't located in urban areas, this is welcome news. Mobility is one of the benefits of the technological age but if one is required to live in a population center to do business online, the promise of more independence in choosing where one lives is something of a myth. Users who operate their business from home can receive broadband services of a business level most anywhere in the world via satellite. Satellite, of course, is a wireless technology and this is a prime example of the possibilities being unlocked by this evolving technology.
As Internet access becomes more and more a necessity, seeing it as something that offers as much as it demands is likely to become the defining factor in how consumers make their choices in vendors. While speed is one measure of value, affordability is just as important and, today particularly, likely of greater import than just raw download speeds. Satellite is well-poised to offer what today's customers are looking for: broadband speed that's tailored to their specific needs and at a price which makes the service affordable, practical and worthwhile instead of just one that offers a luxury. These criteria are likely to become more important as time goes on.
