Every day we read about how technology is constantly changing, alongside the needs and challenges of the end users. At the heart of this is reliance on connectivity; the need to be able to run our businesses, our homes and lives online and always connected.
However, remote Australians are probably used to getting the raw end of the deal when it comes to connectivity and getting onto the internet.
For a long time, the best way for internet users to get online in remote locations has been via satellite connection. And it might evoke some eye-rolling when we put satellite solutions and fast-paced technology in the same sentence, but it’s time to relearn what we think we know about satellite technology.
“In a nutshell, satellite technology has come a long way from the reputation it earned itself 20 years ago. Many people still believe you can’t rely on satellite connection to run your business or keep your family online, but this perspective is outdated,” says Shannon Fisher, Managing Director at IPSTAR.
For farming families, rural workers and remote located small businesses, getting connected should be as easy as it is for city workers and suburban families. You might be running your online business, streaming bingeworthy shows, taking VoIP calls or processing business data, but is using satellite technology to get connected going to provide you with the service you need? If you are in doubt, perhaps it’s time we bust some common myths around satellite technology!
In this first article of our new blog series, we talk about a few common myths around satellite technology and its capabilities and try to knock them out of the park.
Myth 1: Satellite technology is slow and clunky and can’t compete with ADSL
Back in 2005 getting connected to the internet was slower in general, let alone if you were in a remote or rural location.
“Back then, the upload, download speed of satellite internet sat at around 4/1, which is 4mbp of download and 1mbp of upload. In the city, on ADSL that would have looked more like 12/1, so there was a significant difference in the download capability,” Shannon explains. And even in 2011, ADSL had the slight edge on satellite.
“But we have to remember we’re comparing apples with oranges, and the technologies are different,” adds Shannon.
Even with that in mind, in 2021, IPSTAR’s Sky Muster+ capabilities could range from 25/5 (25mbps download speed, 5mbps upload) up to 50/10. This is a vast difference to where it sat 20 years ago, so even if you compare it to an NBN Broadband metro connection speed it still competes very well.
So, different technologies, mean a difference in service, but that doesn’t have to equal a less capable solution for internet, and all in all, remote Australians can certainly expect to be able to do as much as the rest of Australia when they’re online.
IPSTAR have the history and expertise with satellites and remote connection solutions that means we won’t just sell you a solution that doesn’t work or not give you the support you need once you are up and running. We really understand the challenges of rural working and the pitfalls of connectivity in these environments.
Not convinced yet? Well, keep an eye out for our next blog and we’ll try to smash some more satellite technology myths, and convince you otherwise! In the meantime, if you’re a small rural or off-grid business with bandwidth problems, check out our Rural Connect packages.
