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Q: WOW...I'm impressed! How do I get StarBand High-Speed
Satellite Internet Service started?
A: CLICK
HERE!
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Q&A - StarBand
Facts
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Q: What is the StarBand Company?
A: StarBand Communications Inc. is a new company
that provides high-speed, two-way satellite-delivered Internet
service to consumers. The company's strategic partners include
Microsoft, EchoStar (owner/operator of DISH Network TV service) and
Gilat Satellite Networks, a leading global satellite service
provider.
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Q: What is the StarBand service?
A: StarBand is an Internet Service Provider that
delivers the Internet to your home, virtually everywhere in the
lower 48 states and Alaska, via a satellite dish. StarBand is the
first two-way, always-on satellite-delivered Internet access for the
consumer market.
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Q: How much does StarBand cost?
A: StarBand pricing is comprised of an ongoing
monthly fee for unlimited high-speed Internet usage plus a one-time
equipment fee for the StarBand satellite modem. Professional
installation by a certified StarBand installer is also required. For
Pricing & Ordering Info...CLICK HERE!
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Q: What computer hardware and peripherals do I need to run
StarBand?
A: StarBand dish antenna and a StarBand Model 360
satellite modem connects to a USB or Ethernet port on your existing
PC. Remember, no telephone connection, no dial-up account and no
separate Internet service provider account are needed.
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Q: If this is a new service, how can you say that StarBand
uses "field-proven" technology?
A: While new to the consumer market, StarBand's
service is powered by satellite technology from Gilat Satellite
Networks Ltd. ("Gilat"). This technology has been the
wide-area networking platform of choice for major businesses
throughout the world for many years. Gilat's corporate VSAT
technology is used in over 200,000 business locations to support a
wide variety of mission-critical applications.
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Q: Where is the StarBand service available?
A: StarBand is available virtually everywhere in
the continental U.S. and Alaska - if you can see the southern sky -
and 9 out of 10 homes can - you can get StarBand. For
Pricing & Ordering Info...CLICK HERE!
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Q: Can StarBand be purchased in Alaska?
A: Yes. StarBand can now be purchased in Alaska.
There are a few unique equipment requirements for Alaska -- namely,
a 1.2 meter antenna dish (versus the 0.75 meter used in the
continental U.S.), a higher performance low-noise-block
downconverter (LNB), and roof/wall mount. As such, the equipment and
installation pricing quoted on this web site, as well as the Terms
and Conditions, do not apply to sales in Alaska.
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Q: Is StarBand available outside of
the continental U.S. and Alaska?
A: The StarBand service is currently available only
in the 48 contiguous United States and Alaska. We are also testing
plans and options for expanding our service into Hawaii and Puerto
Rico. Please check our web site from time to time and announcements
of extended service availability.
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Q: What satellites are used for the StarBand Internet
service and for the DISH Network 500 service?
A: The StarBand Internet service is currently being
provided over one of two different satellites, depending on your
location: Either the GE-4 satellite located at 101° west longitude
(W.L.) or the Telstar 7 satellite located at 129° W.L. In addition,
if you purchase a combined StarBand / DISH Network system, the dish
antenna will also receive DISH Network 500 programming from EchoStar
satellites located at 110° W.L. and 119° W.L.
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Q&A - StarBand
Benefits
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Q: What kind of speed can I expect?
A: StarBand downloads at speeds up to ten times
faster than dial-up service. Speeds will often reach 500 kbps with
targeted peak time speeds in excess of 150 kbps. StarBand's current
upload speeds range between 40 and 60 kbps. Peak time is weekday
evenings.
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Q: How does StarBand compare with other satellite-delivered
Internet systems?
A: StarBand is a true always-on Internet service
that both receives and transmits Internet content over satellite at
high speeds. Unlike its satellite Internet competitors, StarBand
does not require consumers to tie up their phone line or retain a
separate Internet service provider. The StarBand product responds to
what today's Internet enthusiasts say they want, a high-speed,
always-on connection to the Internet that doesn't require a
telephone connection. Instead of having to deal with multiple
service providers, multiple bills, busy telephone lines and slow
transmission speeds, StarBand offers a one-stop Internet service
package.
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Q: How does StarBand service compare to Digital Subscriber
Line (DSL) and cable modems?
A: StarBand, like DSL and cable modems, provides an
always-on, high-speed connection to the Internet. However, unlike
DSL and cable modem services, which are limited in availability,
StarBand service is available virtually everywhere in the
continental US and Alaska - even in remote areas - over satellite.
If you can see the southern sky, you can get StarBand.
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Q: How does StarBand compare with standard dial-up Internet
access?
A: StarBand provides always-on Internet service
that can download up to ten times faster than dial-up service.
StarBand does not require users to dial-in for access. You don't
need a phone line to use StarBand.
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Q&A - StarBand
Tech Talk
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Q: What are the minimum requirements for the PC or laptop I
intend to connect to the StarBand modem?
A: The StarBand Model 360 satellite modem will be
connected to a PC or laptop computer that you must provide. That PC
or laptop must meet the following minimum specifications:
- Pentium-class
processor
- 64
MB RAM
- 120
MB of available hard-drive space
- CD-ROM
drive
- Ethernet
or USB port
- Operating
systems: Microsoft® Windows® 98, Windows® 98SE, Windows®
2000 or Windows® Me
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Q: Can I install software and peripherals on the computer?
A: Yes, you can install additional software and
peripherals. We suggest that you download the latest drivers for any
peripherals you wish to install from the manufacturer's website.
Make sure any drivers or other software you install are compatible
with Microsoft® Windows 98.
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Q: Can I network the StarBand PC or Satellite Modem with
other PCs in my home?
A: Yes. WinProxy for StarBand allows you to network
all the computers in your home over a single StarBand high-speed
Internet access connection. By using a Windows-based PC as the
interface to StarBand, you can network your Macs and other
non-Windows computers to share your high-speed Internet access and
peripheral devices like printers or scanners. A 30-day free trial of
WinProxy for StarBand is available today (please
click here). Once you become a StarBand Member, you'll have
access to the Home Networking Guide to assist you with networking
your StarBand-connected computers.
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Q: I already have satellite television service. Will
StarBand work with my current service?
A: Yes, if your satellite television system was
purchased through a DISH Network retailer and you live within the
continental US. With a DISH Network upgrade, StarBand's
24"x36" satellite dish antenna is capable of
simultaneously receiving DISH Network's 500-channel digital
television programming and Internet service on your PC from the
StarBand satellite. The StarBand dish antenna is available in a
configuration that includes two DISH Network satellite receivers for
satellite television reception. This is in addition to a third
satellite receiver used for receiving Internet content and a
transmitter for transmitting to the Internet via satellite. The
StarBand system is not compatible with satellite television systems
other than EchoStar's DISH Network 500 service.
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Q&A - Installation
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Q: Can I do my own installation?
A: No. A professional installation by a StarBand
certified installer is required. Because this is a two-way system -
the dish antenna both receives from and transmits to the satellite -
the installation must be very precise, and we do not offer the
option of self-installs. If you are not a StarBand-certified
installer and you perform your own installation or even a portion of
the installation, you will void any applicable installation warranty
and service warranty.
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Q: What is required in a StarBand installation?
A: The StarBand installation process is very
similar to the standard small-dish satellite television installation
process, except that it involves a slightly larger antenna and two
coaxial cables running from the dish to the computer. In addition,
because the StarBand service both sends and receives content via
satellite, the dish pointing process requires greater precision, as
compared to receive-only satellite television offerings. (See
"Can I do my own installation?" above)
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Q: I have received my equipment, and I am anxious to get it
up and running. Can I go ahead and set up the computer before the
installer arrives?
A: No. We would ask that you leave all of the
equipment boxed and wait for the installer to unpack it once he or
she arrives. By installing any portion of the system yourself, you
will void any applicable installation warranty and service warranty.
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Q: What are the line-of-sight requirements for the StarBand
dish antenna?
A: The dish antenna must have an unobstructed view
of the satellite in order for the service to function, meaning that
no buildings, trees, etc. can block the path between your antenna
and the satellite. Depending on where you live and which satellite
your service uses, the antenna mounted at your residence will be
pointed somewhere between the southeast and southwest horizon and at
an elevation between 20° and 50°.
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Q: Does StarBand require a telephone connection?
A: No. StarBand uses a two-way satellite
connection, which means that all Internet content is received and
transmitted over satellite.
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Q: Does StarBand require a separate account with an Internet
Service Provider (ISP)?
A: No. StarBand provides both the satellite
connection and the ISP services.
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Q: Who is responsible for licenses, permits, landlord
approvals, etc. that may be required for the installation of my dish
antenna?
A: StarBand operates under a general license for
the service. You, the consumer, are responsible for all local
approvals, permits, landlord approvals, approvals from homeowners
associations, etc. When the installer arrives on site, he or she
will assume that you have secured any and all required permits,
approvals, etc.
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Q: Can I mount a StarBand dish antenna on my RV?
A: Not at this time. Because the StarBand antenna
not only receives from but also transmits to the satellite, the
installation must be performed with extra precision and in
accordance with FCC standards. The installation process requires
accurate positioning by the installer of the azimuth, elevation, and
skew settings for the antenna, and then a phone call to our
Installer Help Desk for additional fine-tuning of these and other
settings through tools available only at our satellite uplinking
facility.
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Q&A - Internet
Service
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Q: Are there any time limits or hourly restrictions on the
StarBand service?
A: There are no restrictions regarding time of day
or hours of usage. StarBand is available 24 hours per day, 7 days
per week, 365 days per year. The service itself is designed for
unlimited use for standard Internet browsing, such as HTTP
connections using HTML and ASP files, as well as FTP transactions.
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Q: Are there any activities which will be prohibited on the
StarBand service?
A: In consideration for all StarBand Internet
users, StarBand reserves the right to limit "bandwidth
hog" activities such as audio and video streaming, and
automatic file exchange applications (file-sharing). See the
"Acceptable Use" Policy below.
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Q: Does StarBand have a "Acceptable Use" Policy?
A: YES! Click
Here to read it.
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Q: Are there any applications that will work differently in
the StarBand network?
A: Yes. Certain applications do not perform
efficiently in a satellite-delivered environment, such as
voice/video over IP, VPN services, certain online interactive games
(particularly "shooter" games that depend on split-second
responsiveness for the "survival" of the player), and
applications that use non-TCP/IP protocols (such as IPX/SPX).
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Q: Can I host a Web site on a PC connected to a satellite
system?
A: No. Because connection speeds using the
satellite platform are essentially asymmetric (i.e., they are much
faster coming into the PC than going out from it), we do not allow
you to use your satellite-connected PC for hosting a Web site.
However, you may have a personal Web site hosted by StarBand or
another outside provider. See the "Acceptable Use" Policy
above.
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Q: Does StarBand provide e-mail services?
A: Yes. StarBand offers e-mail services for DISH
Network packages. E-mail for DISH Network customers is provided by
StarBand, where your e-mail address will be yourname@starband.net.
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Q: Is the StarBand service affected by
rain?
A: StarBand service will be up and running 99.5% of
the time. However, like satellite television services, your StarBand
service can be affected by rain, but only if it is a very heavy
downpour. Cloudy days and light to moderate rain will not affect
your StarBand service. During a very heavy downpour, you may notice
degraded performance, and occasionally the service may even stop
altogether for a few minutes as the peak of the downpour passes
over.
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Q&A - DISH
Network Service
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Q: If I am already a DISH Network customer, how can I
upgrade to StarBand?
A: The StarBand Internet service and DISH Network
programming are two separate services. If you are currently a DISH
Network customer, you simply need to purchase
the StarBand system. A professional StarBand installer will swap
your DISH Network antenna for the StarBand antenna. The installer
will connect the new antenna to the Internet receiver (StarBand
Model 360) and then reconnect your existing DISH Network receiver(s).
This way, you'll be able to receive satellite television programming
in addition to satellite Internet with just one antenna.
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