- How is Satellite different to conventional broadband?
- Where in New Zealand can I get Satellite?
- What is IPSTAR and IPSTAR-1
- Is Satellite more expensive?
- Will I notice a delay (latency) with Satellite?
- Will rain fade affect Satellite?
- Can I use my Sky dish?
- How big is Satellite dish?
- Can I do the install myself?
- Where do I connect my computer?
- What computer system requirements are there?
- Can I run Satellite on multiple computers?
- Why buy a Booster?
- How do I get the most value from a Satellite plan?
1. How is Satellite different to conventional broadband?
The difference between Satellite and conventional broadband is how it is delivered. Conventional broadband uses the existing phone line network. Satellite is not reliant on fixed lines or infrastructure.
2. Where in New Zealand can I get Satellite?
Almost anywhere. All that is required is a clear view of the western sky. This means some locations may not be able to receive Satellite due to the natural landscape, trees or buildings surrounding them. Often this can be resolved by moving the satellite dish to a different location on the property. Only in rare cases, such as in deep mountain valleys, will reception not be possible.
3. What is IPSTAR and IPSTAR-1?
IPSTAR-1 is the physical satellite that provides the Satellite connectivity. It was launched in 2005 by Shin Satellites and is one of the largest communications satellites in existence. Global connectivity with the satellite is maintained by IPSTAR.
4. Is Satellite more expensive than conventional internet solutions?
It depends on which service you use and how much you use it. For example, rural users on a dial up service may be charged a monthly connection fee as well as a per minute connection charge that, depending on usage, will add up to more than a $59.00 + GST Satellite package.
5. Satellites are a long way away. Will I notice a delay with Satellite?
With Satellite the data needs to travel to the satellite and back, creating a slightly longer delay than conventional broadband. This is not normally noticeable except for a few seconds when initially downloading a web page.
6. Will rain fade affect Satellite?
Rain fade occurs at times of heavy rain, snow or hail and may interfere with the satellite signal. This is unusual with the IPSTAR satellite and will only occur in extreme conditions. As soon as the weather eases full service will automatically be restored.
7. Can I use my Sky TV dish and add Satellite?
No. Sky TV dishes are only designed to receive a signal. A special dish is needed to have the additional transmission capability needed for broadband.
8. How big is the Satellite dish?
A Satellite dish is 84cm in diameter, slightly larger than a standard Sky TV dish.
9. Can I do the installation myself?
No. Satellite involves the installation and operation of a complex set of equipment. To optimise performance and minimise interference with other independent services, professional installation is required.
10. Where do I connect my computer?
All you need to connect your computer to Satellite is an Ethernet Port (either a 10/100 Ethernet Network Interface Card or a PCMCIA adapter with an Ethernet connector). Do I still need a dial-up modem and telephone line? You do not need a phone line or dial-up data modem to use Satellite as it is a two way satellite service.
11. What are the computer system requirements for Satellite?
The IPSTAR Satellite modem lets you connect your computer to the Internet whether you are running Windows or Mac.
To get the most out of your Internet experience, we suggest the following minimum system requirements:
Software requirements
Operating system: PC: Windows 98 SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Mac: OS9.0- OS10.5.
Hardware requirements
Processor: PC: Pentium II or greater, Mac: 400 MHz G3 or greater.
A network card fitted and activated prior to installation.
To get the most out of your Internet experience, we suggest the following minimum system requirements:
Software requirements
Operating system: PC: Windows 98 SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Mac: OS9.0- OS10.5.
Hardware requirements
Processor: PC: Pentium II or greater, Mac: 400 MHz G3 or greater.
A network card fitted and activated prior to installation.
12. Can I run Satellite on multiple computers?
Yes. You can connect multiple computers and laptops. However all computers on this network will be sharing a single connection. Simultaneous use of high-bandwidth applications by multiple users may result in a slower speed for all users.
13. Why buy a Booster?
Satellite plans have monthly limits for the amount of data you can upload and download each month. If you exceed this data cap, overage charges apply for the amount of additional data you use.
With Boosters you can add extra data to your broadband plan as you need it. It's cheaper to buy additional data in a Booster than to incur overage charges. If your needs change, just give us a call to increase/decrease your monthly Booster amount or even remove it from your plan for a while.
Boosters have a minimum charge period of two months.
With Boosters you can add extra data to your broadband plan as you need it. It's cheaper to buy additional data in a Booster than to incur overage charges. If your needs change, just give us a call to increase/decrease your monthly Booster amount or even remove it from your plan for a while.
Boosters have a minimum charge period of two months.
To get the best value from your Satellite plan, keep an eye on your usage each month. To help our customers do this, Farmside posts usage statistics at each customer's My Farmside login, plus sends usage updates via email when you have reached 60%, 80%, 100% and 120% of the data limit for your plan.
