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Broadband From Above: Satellite Services Beam High-Speed Access Anywhere

Receive and send data via satellite pipelines if the weather is good.

Eager for broadband, but tired of waiting for DSL or cable to reach your home or business? Things may be looking up--if you have a clear view of the southern sky.

Satellite-based access to the Net isn't new, but until recently the services were rather kludgy. Hughes Network Systems' existing DirecPC service, for example, has fast, 400-kbps downloads, but requires a modem for uploads.

Now, however, two satellite services--including one from Hughes--let you receive and send data via satellite at speeds similar to DSL's. The StarBand service promises download speeds up to 500 kbps and uploads at 150 kbps; Hughes' new DirecPC 4.0 pledges transfer rates up to 400 kbps downstream and 125 kbps upstream.

Neither is inexpensive, and bad weather can slow performance, but for the broadband-deprived they may be the answer.

StarBand offers a USB modem and dish for $400--it charges $200 for installation and sells the service for $70; partner EchoStar resells StarBand hardware and service at the same rates.

Microsoft's StarBand service is packaged with MSN for $60 per month in conjunction with RadioShack, which sells a preconfigured Compaq PC and satellite dish for $1200 (installation is free through April).

Hughes and its partner Pegasus Communications both sell DirecPC 4.0 for existing PCs. At press time, the hardware cost $400, and installation was $200. Pegasus charges $70 per month; Hughes charges $60 per month.

Both StarBand- and Hughes-based services also offer satellite TV with select services and the right hardware, and for an additional fee.

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