SatSig topic:

Satellite Broadband question

(Read 3910 times)

Nov 26^th, 2009 at 12:17pm

Hi all,

I am thinking of moving my satellite broadband to the new Digiweb/Tooway service. However, rather than buy all the new equipment, I want to use existing 3rd party equipment. Digiweb say I can use other manufacturers equipment but want to charge me to send an engineer out to install it, which I think I can manage myself. Can anyone tell me the specifics about the signals and frequency that Digiweb use for this service and any little anomalies I would need to know to configure the equipment?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I am based in Ireland.

Thanks in advance,

-Isaac C

Nov 27^th, 2009 at 11:11am

The Skylogic Tooway service (Ka band on HB6 and Ku band on EB3) has been working for some time. See here: Tooway satellite

You will need to provide Digiweb (or other service reseller) with full details of your existing equipment, LNB, BUC and Indoor Surfbeam modem - Make and model number in each case needed, plus your dish size. The Digiweb web site suggests that they resell the Ku band service on EB3. Ask that your location/dish size be checked relative to the uplink and downlink beam contour patterns.

If Digiweb don't tell you, you need to be aware of Tooway upload/download traffic limits per hour/4 hours/day/week/4 weeks, each with 5 minute sliding window. Higher tariffs will get you more traffic transfer.

Best regards, Eric.

Nov 28^th, 2009 at 11:37am

Isaac,

I'm afraid I don't know too much using 3rd party equipment. However I was just wondering if you checked whether you were within the National Broadband Scheme in Ireland. Those covered in the scheme can avail of tooway 12gb limit for 20 euros a month. I think the equipment will set you back 50 euros. Nice!

Thanks,

tortella

Nov 30^th, 2009 at 9:34am

Hi,

Thanks everyone for posting so promptly in reply to my unusual request, I am now starting to doubt whether my equipment will be up to the job to be honest.

Tortella, I will check to see whether I qualify for that scheme, sounds good if I do!

I have read that Digiweb are moving to the KA-SAT service next year so I guess I would be better off using their equipment so I get an upgrade to that service at some point. Does anyone know if they are still using the KU service on Eurobird 3 at present or have they moved to KA already (reading to Tooway site it appears Toowat offer the KA service already).

Once again many thanks, it's great to know that this resource is here to use!

Isaac C.

Nov 30^th, 2009 at 6:29pm

europe-satellite, I don't understand where 3g has come into this conversation. Please explain.

Dec 1^st, 2009 at 7:01pm

I was never recommending 3g. You are confused. I was recommending KU tooway satellite as provided under certain scenarios to people who are not in areas that are broadband enabled. The cost of the dish and modem plus installation is 50 euros. Your limit is 12gb. And you pay 20 euros a month. This is given to people that can not avail of 3g. How is it so cheap? Compliments of the Irish government who subsidise it. Hope that clears up your obvious confusion europe-satellite! If only we could all avail of that service!

But since you mention 3g. I disagree with most of your comments that you have made about it.

You said : "A 3G dongle is always related to 1 computer (unless you buy a special 3G modem $$$). "
Tooway is the same. It is related to 1 computer unless you buy a router. There is 3g routers currently on the market that are no more expensive than a cable modem router.

"If you pass a Satellite limit, systems just slows down or finaly 0 but you dont get an invoice for extra usage at the end of a month. "
With 3g you could have a limit of 15gb. For the average user this is more than enough. In which case you don't need to worry about reaching your limit. Tooway doesn't even have a limit this high available. The current maximum 12gb, can set somebody back between 100-150 euros. Imagine what one would have to pay for 15gb. That is a fairly big invoice in itself. Anyhow being slowed down is the same as been switched off. At least if you reach your limit with 3g you can if you wish, at a premium, stay connected. And if 15gb is not enough. Another 20 euros will get you another 15gb.

And lastly my experience with 3g has been awful. I reckon particulary with isps saturating the network with too many users. My experience with tooway has in general been very good with both reliabity and speeds.