Satellite Internet Terms You Should Know
It’s easy to get lost in technical jargon when you are reviewing the various offers from satellite Internet providers. The good news is that it is definitely not as daunting of a task as it first appears to be. There are only a handful of terms that you really need to know and we have done our best to list them here for you as a quick reference.
| Satellite Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| 2-Way Satellite Internet | This is a relatively simple term that basically just means that the satellite Internet service is bi-directional. In more layman terms, the satellite supports uploads as well as downloads. |
| AT&T Satellite Internet | AT&T was once among the many providers that actively provided satellite Internet services. For the most part they are now using DSL or Fiber-based Internet connections for their customers. |
| Best Satellite Internet | As you might expect if a provider says they are the “best” this is just advertising their service and is completely subjective. |
| Broadband Availability | Satellite Internet is a form of broadband (high-speed Internet). Availability means checking with the various providers to see if they can service your address. |
| Broadband Satellite | This is just a synonym for Satellite Internet (all satellite Internet runs at broadband speeds). |
| Cheap Satellite Internet | This is also sometimes called the cheapest satellite Internet service and is purely objective as whichever service cost the least is the cheapest. |
| Dial Up Internet | This refers to one of the oldest forms of Internet connectivity that uses a plain old telephone service to connect to the Internet at very slow speeds. |
| Direct Satellite Internet | This is a direct connection to a stationary satellite orbiting the Earth. |
| DIRECTV Satellite Internet | This is generally a confused use as DIRECTV offers satellite TV, not satellite Internet (directly). |
| Direct Way Satellite Internet | This is usually someone mis-spelling DirecWay. |
| DirecWay | Sometimes referred to as DirectWay (incorrectly). This was one of the original satellite Internet providers but is now operating as a part of HughesNET. |
| DirecWay 6000 | The DirecWay 6000 and 7000 satellite dishes were used with the DirecWay service. |
| Dish Internet | This is another term that is a synonym for satellite Internet. |
| Dish Network Internet | Dish Network never used to provide Internet connectivity (until they purchased HugheNET). |
| DSL | Digital subscriber lines (DSL) are provided by phone companies using telco equipment (not satellite related in any way but often compared to satellite). |
| Free Satellite Internet | For the most part, providers charge a monthly fee for satellite Internet. |
| High Speed Internet | Satellite Internet service is a form of broadband or high-speed Internet. |
| Hughes Net | Generally the same as DirecWay or HughesNET. |
| International Satellite Internet | This term means that the satellite provider you are considering offers International services (generally the same service in multiple countries). |
| Internet Over Satellite | This refers to the act of receiving Internet service via satellites versus DSL or cable lines. |
| Internet Satellites | These are satellites orbiting the Earth that are there for telecommunications only. |
| Kbps | This refers to how many kilobytes of data you can transfer per second and generally measure download or upload speeds. |
| Mbps | This refers to how many megabytes of data you can transfer per second and generally measure download or upload speeds. |
| Modem | This is a device that generally is used by dial-up Internet users to connect to the Internet, but there are cable modems and other modems that also provide Internet connectivity. |
| One-way Satellite Internet | It used to be that satellite Internet was only usable for downloads and that uploads went via a dial-up Internet connection. |
| Portable Satellite Internet | This refers to a satellite Internet service where the dish/receiver can be easily taken with you. |
| Residential Satellite Internet | Generally costs less that business satellite Internet and is for home use only. |
| Rural Broadband Internet | Satellite Internet is a rural broadband Internet since satellites can service almost anyone (even those in rural areas). |
| VPN Satellite Internet | This means that the satellite Internet provider generally accepts VPN connections with your work server. |
| WildBlue | Another major satellite Internet Company. |
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More About Satellite Internet
We encourage you to learn about the various satellite Internet terms and to become as informed as possible BEFORE you sign up for satellite Internet service. Another great resource on the topic is found at wikipedia
Satellite Internet Providers
- HughesNET - they offer several great packages and are widely recognized as the #1 provider of satellite Internet services. If you are not sure where to start looking, then we would highly recommend learning more about HughesNET.
- WildBlue - offers several different bandwidth packages and deals to make getting satellite Internet easier than ever. While they are recognized as the #2 provider, you won't be disappointed with the value, price, and customer service you get from WildBlue.
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