Frequently Asked Questions
Broadband Everywhere - General Questions
What is satellite broadband?
Satellite broadband is a broadband internet connection made via communications satellites instead of a telephone land line or other terrestrial means. Our Broadband Everywhere service provides high-speed, always-on, bi-directional broadband internet via satellite, which is available for a flat fee to anyone, anywhere.
What network is Broadband Everywhere using?
Broadband Everywhere uses the services of SES Broadband (formerly Astra2Connect) which is the company which operates the Astra satellites in Europe, based out of Luxemburg.
The high speed 20Mbps services are operating on the newest "KA" satellite - Astra 2F - that covers England, Wales, Ireland, France, Belguim, Switzerland, Luxemburg and the Netherlands. More areas are planned soon, but in the meantime a "KU" 10Mbps service is available throughout western Europe off 2 other Astra satellites. An upgrade will be possible once your country comes online.
Is it really 20Mbps everywhere?
If you are on the new KA 20Mbps service, as long as you on a 20Mbps package then yes, you will get up to 20Mbps service - wherever you are, no matter how far you are from phone exchanges or cable networks. Of course 20Mbps is the maximum you will get based on network usage, speed of the internet etc. A slightly longer delay loading websites is expected due to satellite latency (between 5 - 8 seconds on some websites).
Likewise if you are on the older "KU" satellite service you should receive up to 10Mbs (or whatever package you have chosen) WHEREVER you are.
What is the benefit of the two way connection?
Who can use satellite broadband?
Our Broadband Everywhere internet connection is available anywhere within the UK and most of western Europe.
If your location can receive satellite television you should be able to access Broadband Everywhere as the satellites are in a similar position in the southern sky. You can check the direction of the Broadband Everywhere satellite by clicking the link below which will open www.dishpointer.com set to the BroadBand Everywhere satellite. Just enter your postcode in the ' Your Location' box and click 'Go'. The direction of the Broadband Everywhere satellite will be shown.
You can view the service areas - known as "Satellite Footprints" here
Which service packages are available?
As a subscriber to Broadband Everywhere you can choose from a broad variety of service packages tailored specifically to your internet requirements. Different download and upload speeds, volume free and volume limited packages are offered, giving you the flexibility you need:
Are there any limits to my use of satellite broadband?
Your use of our Broadband Everywhere platform may be limited by your choice of service package. If you have booked a limited volume package, you will not be able to browse the internet anymore after exceeding the monthly maximum download volume (but you will be redirected to a web page where you can buy additional volume if you wish).
If you subscribe to an unlimited volume package, downloading an excessive amount of data within a month may instigate the "Fair Use Policy" to temporarily limit the speed of your connection. Broadband Everywhere is an always-on service and so your computer can remain connected to the internet at all times, with no restriction to the time spent connected.
Is my satellite internet connection used differently to an ADSL connection?
Can I use my satellite broadband connection to make telephone calls?
How does the cost of Broadband Everywhere satellite broadband compare with ADSL broadband?
Broadband Everywhere - Equipment & Installation
What equipment do I need to use Broadband Everywhere service?
Broadband Everywhere requires only a satellite dish fitted with the two-way iLNB, and an IP modem connected to your computer.
I have a satellite dish – can this be used for the internet connection via Broadband Everywhere?
Broadband Everywhere uses innovative and advanced performance optimisation technologies over satellite that require a certain size and quality of the dish. To ensure reliable reception of the satellite signal for your broadband connection, you should use the dish supplied in our Broadband Everywhere equipment pack, or the specially certified automatic mobile solutions.
Learn more about the satellite broadband equipmentCan I install the dish myself?
Learn more about installing the Broadband Everywhere equipment
What cables or other equipment do I need?
How can I accurately point the Broadband Everywhere dish?
Learn more about installing the Broadband Everywhere equipment
Why does my equipment have scratches on it?
Learn more about installing the Broadband Everywhere equipment
Broadband Everywhere - Technical Details
Which satellite does Broadband Everywhere use?
Our ASTRA satellites at 23.5°E and 28.2°E are used for both downloading and uploading data for Broadband Everywhere solutions.Learn more about the features of the Broadband Everywhere platform
What sort of computer do I need to access satellite broadband?
Learn more about installing the Broadband Everywhere equipment
Can I use satellite broadband with a network?
Learn more about installing the Broadband Everywhere equipment
How far from the computer can the modem and dish be?
Learn more about installing the Broadband Everywhere equipment
Does satellite broadband suffer from delay or "latency"?
Learn more about the features of the Broadband Everywhere platform
Must the Broadband Everywhere equipment be powered all the time?
Can I Get It?
To check the direction of the Broadband Everywhere satellite click on the link below. All you need to do is put your postcode in the 'Your Location' box and click 'Go' and the direction will be shown.
To see the Broadband Everywhere coverage click on the link below.
Features
- Always-on two-way satellite connectivity
- Maximum download speed of up to 20 Mbit/s
- Maximum upload speed of up to 2 Mbit/s
- Static UK IP Address
- Free internet security software
- TCP enhancement and pre-fetching for faster page loading
- Rain fade countermeasures
- Ethernet 10/100 baseT modem connection
- Compact 75cm dish
- Combined LNB and transmitter
