What Satellite BB provider would you recommend please?

caprilicious

Hi,

I want to change from my current bb 'service' provider (Meteor Dongle) to a Satellite bb provider.
I'm in a rural area where there is no conventional broadband available so the only option I have is Satellite (no rural wireless in the area such as Permanet due to hills/trees etc)

I tried speedtest.net out of curiosity & the following is the result I got;


I don't have a good technical knowledge when it comes to broadband, but I know from how slow mine is that its not good!

I'm looking into 2 options at the moment...Tooway or Qsat satellite broadband.

I'm leaning toward Qsat as at first glance it appears to offer a cheaper service;

QSat
Installation fee: €99
Cheapest monthly subscription: €24.95 for 1mb down/512 kbs up
Data allowance: I can't see this on their website but think its 2Gb p/month

versus

Tooway
Installation fee: €199 (+ Hardware fee of €190 :eek:)
Cheapest monthly subscription: €35 for 6mb down/1mb up
Data allowance: 6Gb p/month

Now I know there's probably an element of comparing apples with oranges as I'm not comparing each provider with the same package; however I think for my usage I only need a basic enough service.

I only really use the internet for the odd bit of facebook mooching, browsing forums like boards & checking mails.
I don't download films, don't watch TV programs online & only once in a blue moon download stuff to Itunes, at that only one album per month tops or the software update.
I would probably nose at a bit more stuff on youtube with a faster connection, though not a huge amount either & not enough to justify needing a superfast connection.

To give an indication of my current internet usage, here's the stats from my Meteor dongle:


In my position, would you bite the bullet & pay the extra for the Tooway service? or should I opt for Qsat?

The initial outlay for Tooway is a bit offputting; whereas the 14 day money back guarantee with QSat is a bit more appealing.
I do need to get something sorted soon though so I need to make a decision asap.
My Meteor dongle is on its last legs & at the current slow speed if it doesn't die itself I might yet hop it off the wall in frustration

Any opinions would be appreciated

clohamon

If you're in a rural area, you're either in the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) or the Rural Broadband Scheme (RBS)*. Both are are run by the Department of Communications.

They are both midband schemes with possible satellite options, but the NBS gets you more subsidy until July 2014 and its still up and running right now. So check if you're in the NBS first.


NBS
http://www.three.ie/nbs/faqs.html#

Either Three Mobile : 19.99/mth and 25MB monthly download cap
or Three Satellite (via OnWave): 19.99/mth 11MB monthly cap and free installation, free connection

RBS
http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Communications/Communications+Development/Rural+Broadband+Scheme/Rural+Broadband+Scheme.htm

*The RBS closed on Friday 29th and all links to application forms have been removed. If you can get hold of one somewhere, put Friday's date on it, and hand deliver it before Tuesday morning; they mightn't know the difference. The RBS will not start installations until Jan 2012 at the earliest. Even if you qualified, it would only subsidise installation cost. Monthly fees will be at standard Satellite rates. In the meantime other providers in your area would be allowed to contact you to offer services at market rates. If you hadn't heard about this scheme, that's no surprise.

caprilicious

Thanks a million Clohamon, I've just checked out the NBS one & Three would appear to have coverage in my area.
Is it just me or are they pretty quiet about it?

I googled 'sattelite broadband Kilkenny' and it didn't come up at the time.

I'm going to contact 3 on Tuesday & see if I can get that set up here instead.
Thanks again, you might have just saved me a nice few €€€!

clohamon

Just remember they'll have to be convinced that you cannot get a viable connection using their mobile dongle (and repeater) before you are offered the satellite alternative. Disputes are handled by the Department.

caprilicious

Thanks clohamon, I think that may be a non runner then because they've already confirmed to me that they do have coverage for the 3 dongle at my address.
The problem is I've already tried Vodafone & O2, I currently have Meteor & they're all the same - abysmal.

I don't think I'm eligible for coverage under the 3/NBS program. When I looked at their coverage map; my area was covered.
However when I did the address coverage they seem to cover about a mile away from my house, but not my actual address :mad:

So I think I'm back to the Tooway/QSat choice again