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

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.