Bonaire, Netherland Antilles

I am relocating from the U.S. to Bonaire next month.

I am a computer consultant and will need high-speed internet access.  Primarily for VPN/terminal server/citrix, but also for uploading/downloading large files. All of the above from U.S. sites.

I have come to the conclusion that the local telco and cable companies on the island will not be able to provide the quality of service that I would prefer and am just now beginning to research the satellite internet option.

This will be used for my home office network (up to about 6 computers behind my wireless router)

I would prefer to be able to use VOIP services if possible.

I would prefer no less than 512Kbps down/256Kbps up.

I have sent out an email requesting information from the companies listed on the satsig.net website as providing service to Bonaire, but would like to get any suggestions from those of you out there with any experience/ideas.

Greetings my soon to be neighbor.

I've had a few emails from providers, but still compiling options.

I've been discussing my internet options research with a local Bonaire tech and he had this to say about satellite internet options in Bonaire.

"Well, the issue with Satellite installs on Bonaire is that you need an uplink license if you want to transmit data back up to the satellite, and that license costs about NAF 24K/year. Not very cost effective. There was a company on Curacao offering this service a couple years back (they apparently had a blanket license), but I've not heard anything about them in a while. "

If that is true, then it's not a very good option for me.   I've replied to the providers that have sent me information and asked them about this issue, but I have not received a response yet.

Another satellite product that may help you is a satellite product that uses dialup for upload and satellite for download. This might provide a solution to the transmit license requirement for uploading, but limit your options for upload file size and speed. It would provide fast downloading, and allow large file downloads. The stateside equivilent of this retail product was known as DirecPc, which has been discontinued. I belive these type of products are still available though some companies from some of the posts and referances I've seen on this board. Something to keep in mind as I stated above, VPN over two way satellite can be difficult, and many people find it slower then dialup, others as good as dialup VPN connections. For my application my two way satellite VPN system connection is as good as dialup, and it saves us $3 a minute long distance charges from one country to another, as well as leaves the phone free for local calls, and the sat. link can be used for VoIP calls for addition savings. VoIP over satellite is another subject entirely which is covered here as well as many other boards. Expect a .5 second delay minimum between you and your other party with the best systems.

Tom

I just contacted the Bureau Telecommunication and Post for the Netherland Antilles and they informed me that yes there is a fee of approx. 25k Guilders ($13440.86 US) per year for having a two-way satellite setup.

I suppose I could do the install myself covert-style and just not tell anybody, but it seems that would be breaking the law, and I don't want to start my residence in a new country by doing that!

That pretty much gets rid of the satellite internet option for me.

We are a Venezuelan company a we can provide satellite Internet services. Our coverage include all the netherland antilles.
If you are interested please contact me through my email
mwilhelm@ieee.org.

tmetzler

We have a few HughesNet systems working in Bonaire.

From memory we did not have to license these units at all, all of them working on 1.8 meter antennas.