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GENERAL
What is EarthLink High Speed Satellite Internet?
This is our satellite-based high-speed Internet service, powered by HughesNet. "Satellite-based" means your connection to the Internet is via a satellite rather than wires or coaxial cable that are used for DSL and cable modem services. It is a 2-way service, meaning you'll get a high-speed connection when you are downloading and uploading.
What does "2-way" satellite service mean?
It means a better overall high-speed experience for you, because data is both downloaded from and uploaded to the satellite from your location. Some satellite systems are 1-way systems (download via satellite, but upload via your telephone line through a dial-up modem). The 1-way systems have a slower uploading process, and it ties up your phone line when you're on the Internet. Our 2-way service means faster uploads, an instant connection, and no busy signals.
What are the key benefits of EarthLink Satellite Internet?
Can I use EarthLink Satellite for my business?
EarthLink High Speed Satellite Internet is intended for residential consumer use, including: Web surfing, email, instant messaging, file downloads, and streaming audio/video on a single computer.
EarthLink High Speed Satellite Internet is not supported for commercial/business applications, including: Networking, Web hosting, remote telnet access, VPN, or VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol).
SPEED & CONNECTIONS
How fast will my satellite Internet connection be?
Download speeds are up to 1.0Mbps and upload speeds are up to 200Kbps. EarthLink High Speed Satellite Internet downloads data from the Internet to your PC at speeds almost 18x faster than a dial-up modem. Data uploads via satellite at speeds slightly faster than or similar to a dial-up modem, all without tying up your phone line. EarthLink High Speed Internet offers a "best effort" service. That means we will always do our best to provide you with the fastest connection possible.
How much faster is EarthLink High Speed Satellite than Dial-Up?
It is 18x faster than a typical 56K dial-up connection. While that's not as fast as most cable and some DSL services, it is faster than many heavily promoted DSL services. And believe us, you really will notice a very big difference compared to Dial-Up.
What can I do with that extra speed?
You'll get much more done in much less time. You'll use your Internet connection to do more things. You experience fewer headaches and frustrations. Bottom line: you'll have a lot more fun. For example:
With a 1.0Mbps EarthLink Satellite connection, you could download 8 digital photos in 1 minute. That would take you about 18 minutes using dial-up.
You'll get the same kind of time-saving benefit downloading music or software, doing online research or shopping, and more. You'll also have a much better experience watching online video and playing online games.
Will I connect to the Internet instantly?
Yes. You'll enjoy instant connections and instant gratification, with no dialing in, no waiting, no busy signals. It's always available for you at a moment's notice. Because you never know when you'll need to look something up or when you'll have that YouTube urge strike you.
Can I access the Internet if I'm on the road?
Yes. All EarthLink High Speed accounts come with free dial-up access (up to 20 hours per month) for you to use away from home. And EarthLink has thousands of toll-free local access numbers for you to use.
AVAILABILITY & INSTALLATION
Where is EarthLink Satellite Internet available?
Our High Speed Satellite service, powered by HughesNet, is available nationwide. It's a great solution for more rural areas where Cable and DSL Internet services are not available. All you need is a clear view of the southern sky to receive the satellite signal (and if you live in an apartment or condo, you need permission to mount a satellite dish on the property).
Can you explain the installation process for EarthLink Satellite?
1. Scheduling installation
Your installer will contact you within 5 business days from the time you placed your order for EarthLink High Speed Satellite Internet, powered by HughesNet. The installer is assigned by EarthLink to perform your installation. If you have any problems scheduling or coordinating an installation, please contact our customer service team at 1-800-635-0373.
2. Special approvals required for installation
The installation of the EarthLink High Speed Satellite Internet dish is protected by federal law by the Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule. If you do not own the property where EarthLink High Speed Satellite Internet will be installed, you will be responsible for any and all required approvals from the property owner. The installation technician will assume that any necessary approvals and permits have been secured before the scheduled appointment.
3. What the installer will do during installation
4. What is included and not included in standard installation
| Included in standard installation | NOT included in standard installation (may be available for additional charges) |
| The hardware necessary to mount and ground the dish antenna at least 5 feet off the ground (as required by FCC regulations) using the standard roof and/or wall-mounting brackets. | If there is no appropriate place on your home for the system to be installed, the installer may need to mount your dish on a pole in the ground. The "ground mounting" fee includes a pole mount and 25 feet of cable trenching to bury the cable in soft ground between the pole and your home. Hard ground (i.e., frozen ground, numerous roots, clay, gravel) can be an additional charge. |
| Mounting the dish antenna on an outside wall, first-level roof, or other approved structure using standard roof/wall-mounting brackets. Your dish antenna will not be mounted on building materials that cannot support the product, such as stucco, aluminum, or vinyl siding. | Roof mounts on structures taller than one story and/or use of a non-penetrating roof mount. |
| Running the cables along an exterior wall to a single point of entry into the customer premise. | Custom work including, but not limited to, placing the cables in molding or cosmetic hardware to help hide cables and fishing the cable through interior walls. |
| Installation of up to 100 feet of standard RG6 coaxial cable between the satellite dish and your PC. This may vary if a ground mount is needed. | There will be a charge for each additional foot of cable. If the cable run is greater than 150 feet, a signal amplifier will be needed. |
| Driving distances up to 35 miles (one way) to the job. | Driving distances over 35 miles (one way) to the job. |
| Installation of one wall jack (for 2 coaxial cables) | Installation of more than one coaxial cable jack. |
| Installation of the modems and connect them to your PC. | Any computer work including, but not limited to, repair, setup, or networking. |
| Conducting a cross-polarization test of the hardware and using the installer's laptop to verify that there is a signal being received at the wall jack in your home. | Removal and/or repair of preexisting satellite equipment. |
Additional charges during installation
If additional fees are necessary, you will pay the installer directly. The installer is only contracted by EarthLink to perform a standard installation.
Is self-installation available for EarthLink High Speed Satellite Internet?
No. FCC regulations for installing the dish and pointing the antenna are very stringent and, therefore, must be professionally installed by an FCC-certified installation technician. The Federal Communications Commission Radio Station Authorization, file number SES-MOD-20010205-00298, defines federal regulations for the installation and activation of two-way satellite Internet access devices.
