The level of Internet equipment in Russia reaches high values, however, huge sections of our country still do not have access to the global network. There is not enough infrastructure, but satellite Internet can solve the problem of its deficit. It has a number of advantages over cable and mobile communications, it is becoming more affordable, and the equipment providing access to it only gets cheaper over the years and makes it easier to install.
What is satellite internet
Today, access to the Internet is possible via satellite (satellite), the signal from which goes directly to the user's computer connected to the "plate". At the same time, this access method should not be identified with a wired connection to a provider that takes data from the satellite itself - in this case, a trunk channel with much more powerful traffic is leased than when using a “plate”. Satellites, as a rule, are located in geostationary orbit (less often - in medium-high and low).
Access to the World Wide Web from a "plate", as a rule, is comparable in its speed characteristics to broadband lines and significantly exceeds 3G and GPRS connection methods. What combines the last two types of satellite Internet connection is a technology-related limitation in the amount of traffic. However, “plate” is quite capable of such tasks as reading letters, sending documents, and working with online banking. It is indispensable in the country - where there is no communication from mobile operators or its quality is not enough. Modern equipment for communication with satellites is becoming increasingly simple to operate, an ordinary user does not experience problems with how to connect satellite Internet independently.
History of Satellite Internet
The first experiments with access to the Internet via satellite began in the early 90s. Various technologies were offered to the market, but in the end they chose access to the World Wide Web via geostationary satellites - the same class as those used for telephone and television communications. The ground-based communications equipment was gradually becoming cheaper and smaller , satellite networks ceased to be an expensive prerogative of the state, and business began to use them.
As a result, the term “VSAT” (a terminal with a very small aperture) arose, denoting a compact and mobile device for receiving a signal. With the improvement and further reduction of technology costs, VSAT-modules became available not only to business, but also to ordinary users, “home” antennas appeared at all - the very “dishes” on the windows, and satellite Internet, reviews of which began to be printed on the press about technology.
Asymmetric access
Asymmetric access is one of the two main formats for using satellite Internet. It implies connecting to the World Wide Web through two channels that are different in speed and technology, and a “plate” can be only one of them. The second is usually a terrestrial connection (sometimes with a much lower data rate). The main advantage of asymmetric access is the price. As a rule, Internet access kits using this technology cost no more than $ 300, and traffic costs about 10 cents per 1 Mb.
Incoming traffic, thanks to the satellite, is delivered at a very high speed. As a rule, from the same satellite, you can also receive a television signal if you have configured equipment (some providers include television and satellite Internet, Tricolor, for example). The main drawback is the presence of a terrestrial channel, which simply might not be available. The outgoing speed depends on what type the connection will be. It may not be high enough to perform a number of tasks - sending large files, communicating via video calls.
Symmetric Access
There is also a symmetric ("two-way") satellite Internet. User reviews about him are the most positive. Within the framework of it, the communication set is equipped not only with a receiving antenna, but also with a device (subscriber station) capable of transmitting a signal to an artificial satellite. It has all the same advantages as the asymmetric version, but there are no disadvantages associated with the second channel. True, the speed of outgoing traffic, as a rule, is lower than the incoming (the subscriber station is not always powerful enough), but it is enough to comfortably use the basic Internet services.
Among the more significant drawbacks is a very high price, several times higher than that of sets with asymmetric access. But there is an undeniable advantage: you can access the Internet from virtually anywhere on the planet. Fans of round-the-world expeditions sometimes have no alternative but to connect satellite Internet with symmetrical access.
Satellite Internet Speed
As a rule, there are no standard speed indicators guaranteed by the satellite Internet service provider - but the user has the right to expect “incoming” traffic at the level of 5-10 megabits / sec. One way or another, it all depends on how busy the channel is. At the same time, it is interesting that with a satellite connection, the download speed of various objects is “summed up”. For example, if a user simultaneously uploads 100 images, each of which has a capacity of 1 MB, then he will spend the same amount of time as if he were downloading one “megabyte” image. Incredibly, such is satellite Internet. The tariffs of providers, by the way, do not take this feature into account and are always charged on the fact of downloaded data. However, this interesting property also depends on the throughput of the land line, since the satellite will require a response from the computer for each of the received images: if this does not follow, then the image will not be transmitted. If the equipment supports two-way access, then the speed of satellite Internet on the outgoing channel, as a rule, is comparable with the indicated figures and can reach values ​​of 8 megabits / sec.
Market Overview in Russia
Experts note that asymmetric Internet access via satellite has not received proper distribution in Russia. There are a number of reasons for this: firstly, the providers lack the necessary technological infrastructure, secondly, the complexity of connecting devices, thirdly, the insufficient development of the very second communication channel across the country. At the same time, the market of two-way satellite access is growing very actively in Russia (although its numbers are still small compared to the indicators of the wired Internet).
There are forecasts that by the end of 2016 the number of Russian users will grow to 35 thousand people. In many ways, this trend is associated with the cheaper equipment that requires satellite Internet. Consumer reviews of this service allow many market experts to look optimistically at the development of the segment. Leading providers of this technology see their main target audience as owners of private houses in suburban settlements.
How is a “satellite" better than a "cable"?
The advantages associated with geographical coverage, we have already said. We only note that, according to a number of experts, in very many Russian regions, including those located in the European part of the country, there are problems with competing solutions - 3G, fiber.
The most important advantage of satellite communications is the cheaper infrastructure that may be needed to distribute channel resources among other users. Satellite Internet is able to "diversify" access to the World Wide Web, and this property is indispensable, primarily for businesses. Including those who work in cities: it often happens that a provider refuses to work, and the ability to receive or send important documents on time can be much more important than the cost of installing satellite equipment.
And what, accordingly, worse
Firstly, a purely physical antenna works only when it "looks" at the satellite. If, say, the user's office or home is located on the wall opposite the satellite’s “flight”, then communication cannot be established. Secondly, when exchanging data with the participation of the satellite, there is usually a rather large “ping” (signal delay between sending and receiving). This property can bring discomfort, for example, when making audio and video calls, as well as when using entertainment services for which many people access the Internet: a network of gaming "training grounds" for fans of multiplayer action games can, for example, hang up for a long time. Thirdly, the IP address of the user who "caught" the satellite does not always correspond to the country and city where the connection is established. This may interfere with working with Internet services that require accurate geolocation (for example, search engines, social networks). Fourthly, many experts are unflattering about security - it is not always high when satellite Internet is used. Expert reviews indicate potential vulnerabilities in terms of intercepting traffic from satellites.
Innovative look
Access systems to the World Wide Web through HIS, as mentioned above, are constantly becoming cheaper and improved. A few years ago, Russian providers set themselves the task of creating satellite Internet, the tariffs for which would be comparable to those offered by “wired” operators. The government allocated several billion rubles for these purposes. These funds were used to create projects of innovative communication satellites (a total of four are planned to be implemented). It also assumes infrastructure on the ground, which will include a control center and several communication stations with satellites.
The project will be managed by the largest state telecommunication companies. With the help of cheap satellite equipment, the government hopes to create a “people's Internet”, accessible throughout Russia. The client audience of such a service is estimated at 2 million subscribers. According to experts, people need satellite Internet, the prices for which will be lower than current market indicators.