Satellite TV Satellite Internet

SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE HOME

SATELLITE TELEVISION

The average monthly cost of cable increased by almost 50% from 1998 to 2003!

Not so long ago, cable TV was a simple matter of turning on the idiot box and settling down to a baseball or basketball broadcast. Of course, that was only if you lived in town; for the farmers and country dwellers, the only entertainment option was to buy a satellite dish the size of a garage door, accompanied by numerous installation headaches. Things have changed a lot since then; today's satellite dish is a sleek, compact affair, and a satellite TV system offers strong competition to cable TV for viewer choice. In fact, the intense rivalry has forced cable TV providers to add extra services like high definition TV signals and movies on demand in an attempt to compete with satellite TV. Unfortunately for cable TV, however, the contest is no longer just about entertainment; satellite TV system customers now benefit from bundled packages including high-speed Internet.

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If you live out in the country where there is no DSL high speed Internet provider or cable, but you'd would like high speed Internet in place of dial-up, then the only valid option is satellite Internet. As long as you have a clear view of the southern sky with no treetops or high-rise buildings obstructing the horizon, HughesNet can switch you from dial-up to satellite Internet. With satellite Internet, you get fast connection speeds that are comparable to DSL high speed Internet and cable high speed internet, without the inconvenience of wires, coaxial cable, etc.

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In the past decade, 10-million Americans have traded old-fashioned landlines for Internet-based phone services. Early Internet phone calls were slow and staticky. But thanks to vastly improved technology, Internet calling has quietly mushroomed into a $3-billion business, and even older folks who can't tell a modem from an eight-track player are taking notice of the savings. While a typical phone bill averages about $50 for local and domestic calls, services that employ Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) cost $25 and less. International calls are also ridiculously cheap by comparison.

With cable TV, the waiting period can be long and you have to pay to get digital HDTV, movies on demand and loads of other channels (an extra $5/- gets you a digital cable converter box). A satellite TV system, on the other hand, involves minimal waiting periods, and you can quite often get your satellite dish and installation for free by taking advantage of regular specials run by satellite TV system providers. For example, a commitment of 12-months to Total Choice programming with DirecTV gets you a free satellite dish and 4-standard receivers plus installation for your satellite system. And, the Winner is satellite TV!

Setting-up a satellite TV system is easy and affordable as DirecTV or Dish Network (the two major satellite system providers in the States) will professionally install and mount the receiver and satellite dish when you sign up. After that, all you need to do is align the dish according to a supplied set of coordinates and you'll instantly get high quality satellite TV signals directly from the broadcaster. On the other hand, digital cable is relayed from sub-station to sub-station. This diminishes the picture quality and sound quality, making it inferior to a satellite TV system. For the clearest reception, ensure your satellite dish has been installed and mounted with a clear view of the southern sky in a place where it won't be damaged by high winds. And, the winner is satellite TV!

With no price caps in sight, cable bills are always increasing. The average monthly cost of cable increased by almost 50% from 1998 to 2003! By contrast, the average monthly cost of a satellite TV system increased by barely 10%. With a satellite TV system, you get similar monthly package costs. The maximum you pay for basic digital and satellite TV ranges from $40 to $50/-, going up to $100/- depending on extra features, i.e. HDTV, premium channels and movies on demand. Cable TV has additional charges, taxes and service charges for individual features. And, the winner is satellite TV!

A satellite TV system has the edge when it comes to channels provided, offering local and community broadcasts for an additional $5/-. These features come free with your cable TV package. Since a satellite TV system cannot receive them in case of bad weather, Direct TV and Dish Network web sites always provide their customers with a list of the local stations. And, the winner is cable TV!

For an additional $40/-, cable TV will provide you with high speed Internet. When you buy a satellite TV system through Direct TV or Dish Network, you get bundled Internet through EarthLink DSL and Direct Way. Both services are slower and more expensive than cable . And, the winner is cable TV!

Some of the larger cable companies are beginning to offer Internet, video and telephone services in a bundle. Satellite TV providers only offer top prices for the best in TV packages. And, the winner is cable TV!

Earlier cable allowed a maximum number of television sets on one subscription. With a satellite TV system, you get additional boxes for up to 4-receivers, which is much more cost effective than cable. And, the winner is satellite TV!

The local office dealing with complaints and customer care also handles cable TV service and support. Numerous surveys have revealed that customer care provided by cable companies is extremely poor. But, they have given top marks to Direct TV and Dish Network. And, the winner is satellite TV!

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People who live in rental property such as apartments, condominiums, and townhomes now have special rights that allow them to use a satellite TV dish system. FCC rules now prevent the government, landlords, or community associations from restricting a resident from installing a satellite TV dish. This rule applies to areas that a person owns, rents, leases, or who has exclusive use or control. Exclusive areas include decks, balconies, porches, and even glass-enclosed areas. The same guidelines apply to commercial properties. Congress has passed laws which enact FCC rules that permit users to set up a satellite dish as long as it is not in a "common area" that may be used by other people. Common areas might include the roof or exterior walls of a building, or any other area that people can access without the permission of the tenant. Neither the government nor the landowner can restrict the rights of tenants who want to receive satellite signals in this way. But there are certain restrictions that can still be applied to this privilege. First, A renter cannot damage the property of the landowner in any way, and this includes drilling holes for mounting. Permission must be granted from the landowner before any alteration of property. Second, the dish installation must not be a safety hazard to anyone. Third, if there is a common satellite dish that is specified for the use of multiple tenants, then the tenant loses their right to install their own. Next, the dish may not be installed or protrude into any common areas where other tenants have access. And lastly, dish installation may be restricted if it is associated with a historic site.

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