WildBlue Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is different about WildBlue internet from other satellite internet products? WildBlue is Ka Band satellite internet. This approach uses spot beam technology- circular very efficient beams of downstream internet to users, rather than a single less efficient beam. It is designed to provide greater speeds at costs below traditional ku band technology.
2. What equipment will I need to receive WildBlue internet service?
You will get the WildBlue mini-dish (28”x 26”) which both receives signals from the WildBlue satellite, and sends signals from the customer up to the satellite. Additionally, you will have a Surfbeam satellite modem connected by two cables to the dish and placed inside your home or small office by a certified WildBlue internet installer. It will be connected to your computer’s Ethernet card you provide.
3. What kind of computers work with the WildBlue internet service?
Both PC and MAC computers with at least a 300 megahertz processor and preferably 128 MB ram will work. Operating systems supported include all Windows OS except Win 95 and MAC OS 9.x, OS 10.2 or higher operating system. You need to have 100 MB of free hard drive space with either system.
4. What are the anticipated speeds?
Remember, this service has just launched, so there are many unknowns as to what speeds will level off at once the transponders are loaded and balanced. The official word is a three tiered download capability: 512 kbps, 1000 kbps and 1500 kbps. The upload speeds were told to me by a WildBlue official to range from 128 kbps to 256 kbps. Early adopters have reported speeds fairly consistent with the ranges above, especially the Pro Pak Service level. Upload speeds on the Value Pak have been as low as 42 kbps up to just over 100 kbps. The latency has been in the 550-700 ms range on average, very low for satellite internet.
5. FAP – Will there be a limitation on activity each month?
Yes, there is a “threshold on internet activity. The threshold limits are (Download first/Upload second) : 10/3 GB, 16/4 GB, 22/6 GB – based on your service level (Value/Select/Pro). If you exceed these limits in either direction you will be slowed to 128 kbps download or 28 kbps upload – or both if you exceed both, for the remainder of the month.
6. What are the guarantees?
30 day money back – except install costs ($199.00)…the risk you take with this new technology. Equipment and install warranty is 90 days labor and 12 month equipment warranty.
7. Can I get WildBlue for my motorhome and can I move my dish around the country? No. Mobile equipment is not available for the near future and moving a dish beyond the assigned “spot beam” is not possible – at least for the present.
8. Can I do vpn and voip with a WildBlue system?
Yes and No... IPsec vpn connections in a satellite environment are slower than web based SSL versions of encrypted traffic and database activity is always rather slow on a satellite circuit…..so be prepared. It will still outperform a dial up connection in most any use. VOIP will not work with Wildblue at this time.
9. Can I resell the WildBlue service to my neighbors, other companies or customers?
No, as a term of your agreement with WildBlue, you agree that no more than 3 family members (or office members) will have access to the WildBlue service. This will be monitored by WildBlue but also kept in check by the Fair Access Policy previously mentioned.
10. How will weather affect my WildBlue service?
The WildBlue service should be very dependable as a result of a variable watt transmitter. This is one of the areas WildBlue really excels…..by having enough transmitter strength to handle both a small sized dish and handle weather conditions. The early users have reported fair to good results during storms but more experience will be needed to know the effect of rain on this system. One of the greatest criticisms of this platform has been rain fade affecting the quality of service. Some early users have reported much lower speeds after heavy rain which may indicate some water leaking problems with cabling or transmit equipment.
11. How much latency or lag will I experience with a WildBlue internet setup?
Since WildBlue is IP packets throughout the trip to the satellite and back, latency will be less than DVB (digital video broadcast) setup’s used by Direcway and Starband. The reason is there will be less conversion equipment in the mix…..causing less congestion at the Network Operations Center which results in lower overall “experienced” latency. The trip to space and back takes the same time with any satellite system….about 500 milliseconds. Early users are reporting latency running between 550-750 ms, which is very good.
12. Can I install the Wildblue internet system myself?
The Wildblue internet setup must be installed by a Wildblue Certified installer. If you are willing to go through the Wildblue or NRTC training class (a cost of several hundred dollars) you can do your own installation. Even those certified to install Direcway, Starband, iDirect, and Tachyon are required to obtain WB training. This is a FCC thing and they don't budge on it.
13. When will Wildblue launch their own satellite?
Wildblue 1 is scheduled to launch 4th Quarter 2006.
We will be adding to this section as questions arise.
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