Searching for Speed by Satellite

Ever since I first test-drove a cable modem four years ago, I have been aching to ditch my dial-up account for a broadband fix.

But despite ambitious broadband plans, MediaOne and Cablevision have yet to offer Internet access via their cable networks in my Boston neighborhood. Cablevision says I'm supposed to get lucky sometime this summer. I'm not holding my breath.

Another local nonplayer is Bell Atlantic, which, like cable companies, is hyping its own flavor of broadband Web access. Bell Atlantic is rolling out Digital Subscriber Line service everywhere but on my block--the company tells me I don't live in the right neighborhood to get its service when it comes to town.

Satellite Savior

That's why I was encouraged when I found out that Hughes and Compaq had teamed up to offer nationwide satellite access to the Web at speeds of up to 400 kilobits per second. When Hughes gave me the opportunity to test its DirecPC service, I jumped at the chance.

As part of the vendors' partnership, new Presario buyers can purchase hardware and software for satellite access to the Net for $349. A one-year service contract earns a $100 rebate from Hughes, bringing the cost to $249. The package includes a Universal Serial Bus satellite modem and a 22-by-33-inch Internet-only satellite dish receiver.

The service offers 25 hours a month of surfing for $30, or 100 hours for $50. The service is also available directly from Hughes.

The "Other" Broadband Provider

Internet access via satellite delivers broadband service by beaming down Web pages from satellites about 23,000 miles above the Earth. The service has its flaws, but my only alternative is to wait until broadband makes its way to my block--and there are millions like me.

The system downloads at high speed, but transmits at a fraction of that speed. If you want to ship out as much data as you pull in, this service is less compelling. And slow telephone modems stay in the picture. When you request a Web page, your signal goes over regular phone lines to Hughes. Hughes serves up the page and then transmits the signal to a geostationary satellite.

The satellite sends the request to your satellite dish and your computer. The whole process takes seconds.

Anybody in the U.S. who can hang a dish off the side of the house and point it south can use this service, Hughes says.