So with a job that at times allows me to work from anywhere I have internet and phone, I started looking for satellite solutions. Does anyone here have experience with these systems or know where to find more info on systems like BGAN:

http://www.groundcontrol.com/BGAN.htm

and Hughes:

http://www.globalcomsatphone.com/produc ... d-portable

These could allow for extended Idaho summer vacations! About time They look a bit pricey, however.

Edited: added Iridium Go

http://www.bluecosmo.com/satellite-phones/iridium-go-satellite-smartphone-hotspot/?gclid=CPmPxYe5tL4CFYlFMgodm1cA3Q

Done Hughes and Starband. They work but pale in comparison to cable or DSL. Latency is always going to be an issue with satellite Internet.

Don't know if you'd consider dealing with a shop in Alaska, but pretty sure Surveyor's Exchange in Anchorage had both last time I was in. I've always found them extremely helpful there. Ask for Antonio Garza.

I've had Direcway (later Hughs), Starband, and most recently WildBlue/ Exede. I was pleased with Starband, and so far Wild Blue/ Exede seems every bit as reliable, plus being faster and cheaper. The dish orientation for Wild Blue/ Exede is particularly DIY-friendly. Those systems require poles and dishes though, unlike the field-based portable systems such as BGAN.

In the past I had Inmarsat for voice and fax. It was designed for maritime applications, and the sky shot seemed to have more wiggle room, since it was meant for a ship on a pitching ocean. It didn't get bothered by a little frost-jacking of the antenna mast.

How expansive is your southern sky exposure? If it's generous, then probably all options are on the table. If it's restricted, you may need to research whose satellites are in position for you.

-DP

I used an Iridium openport system on a boat for two years across the pacific. Never lost an email, but VERY expensive data. Luckily my boss paid the plan. I think it is a Marine BGan.

http://www.groundcontrol.com/Iridium_Openport.htm

Thanks gb and DP.

Exede looks interesting. Any idea if the dish could be used as a portable set-up? Since you say the orientation is user DIY friendly, that certainly would help. The speeds are way faster than the BGAN/Hughes type portable units! Most of the places have a decent view of the southern sky especially above about 25 degrees from horizontal. Taking it camping in the plane/truck would be ideal. It would be set up for a week or 2 in one location. The data plans are reasonable too.

Once a system with decent speeds is selected, finding a wilderness friendly power supply will be the next step; solar & batteries maybe? Assuming Exede operates on 110v it might only be possible with a generator?

blackrock wrote:Thanks gb and DP.

Exede looks interesting. Any idea if the dish could be used as a portable set-up? Since you say the orientation is user DIY friendly, that certainly would help.

It's been a year since I had to do mine, but you simply log into a web page with your laptop hooked to the dish, and it makes beeping sounds at you as you point the dish. Much easier than older "bird dog" pointers with confusing little led light displays.

The dish is still 3-4 feet across however, with a 3 foot arm for the feed horn, so nowhere near as portable as the little folding, all-in-one units like BGAN.

-DP

daedaluscan wrote:I used an Iridium openport system on a boat for two years across the pacific. Never lost an email, but VERY expensive data. Luckily my boss paid the plan. I think it is a Marine BGan.

http://www.groundcontrol.com/Iridium_Openport.htm

Nice system alright; you weren't kidding about the price of data plans.

I just came across this - It certainly may have a lot of applications for many of us. They say it is a WIFI hot Spot based on the Iridium sat system. The data plan is by the minute rather than per Mega Byte. Maybe it is slow enough you don't get many MB's?

Does anyone have any more info on these? There not shipping until June.

http://www.bluecosmo.com/satellite-phones/iridium-go-satellite-smartphone-hotspot/?gclid=CPmPxYe5tL4CFYlFMgodm1cA3Q

The BGAN data rates are about $6/MB. What are the odds that these are less expensive on a per MB basis, but who knows since they don't post data speeds.

Blackrock --

I don't know your particular situation -- nor if you need full internet access or just e-mails twice a day -- but for most practical purposes, the data usage costs are going to be so high that using these for most business application usage will be out of the question. There are places where these may be the "cost of doing business", but I get the feeling that the economics for an employee to work remotely just aren't going to pen out. A journalist trying to upload news articles in a war zone, maybe. The going rate is about $5,000 per gigabyte. The average home internet user will use 5-10 gigabytes for a 30 day month. The reason it is so high is this service is delivered on a constellation based satellite service. The most notably significant thing about this is you can use a small terminal and point it anywhere in the general direction of the sky.

There are geosynchronous satellite satellite solutions that may do what you want. The problem is you would have to carry around a 0.60 meter satellite dish and be trained on how to point it at the sky. It's like the size of a directtv dish. It may not be as practical as you want, but the costs on these are much better -- Likely $100-125/month for all the usage you will need. Voice calls will be annoying (delayed) but you can use VoIP for voice.

In all honestly, unless you can be in a fixed place to handle paragraph two above, your best bet is to pick a place that either 1) provides internet or 2) Is within cell coverage range so you can use a Verizon datacard plan ($50/month). That eliminates lots of problems. I know it's not going to get to the Frank Church, but you'd be surprised how many back country type areas have good data service.

Idair - Thanks, that is good information alright. I pretty much need a typical office amount of daily data so you a quite right that the BGAN, Iridium, etc system data plans are way too expensive for that. I do like the idea of something like the Exede but it sure would be a PIA to pack around and set-up.

Maybe in a few years a good option will come around. Until then and like most of us, I'll be keeping my ears open for something more affordable.

It doesn't sound too promising for Iridium Go, either. Dealers don't even have demo models yet and they are touting June delivery. No one I talked to believes that. And the transmission rates are only like 2.4kb/s.