Cant get high speed internet? Try a WISP!

If you live in a rural area (or even some smaller towns) and you cant get any kind of traditional high speed internet (like Cable or DSL) then you should consider a WISP before you call for Satellite Internet. The startup and monthly cost is much lower then satellite internet, and the speed packages are much better too.

What is WISP you say? A WISP is a Wireless Internet Service Provider.

WISP FAQ'S

• Q: What is wireless broadband connectivity?
  A: Fixed wireless broadband provides high speed Internet access without cable, fiber or phone line connections. Data is securely transmitted wirelessly for two-way communications capable of data, video and voice.
• Q: How do I get connected to the Internet?
  A: The WISP installs a small antenna and radio unit on the roof or side of your house or building. The antenna is then aimed towards one of there Internet broadcasting towers. This establishes your wireless link to the Internet. Your computer or network is then connected via a cat 5 (Ethernet) cable drop to the radio unit.
• Q: How long does it take for installation?
  A: Basic installs take around two hours to complete. Not all installs are equal and some may require more or less time to complete.
• Q: Does rain, snow, fog or other weather affect service levels?
  A: No WISP services are not directly affected by the weather.
• Q: If my bandwidth needs grow can I increase my bandwidth speeds?
  A: Yes! You can always increase your service levels based on your growing needs. The bandwidth adjustment can be done remotely and does not require a site visit.
• Q: DSL and or CABLE internet is not available in our area, will that prevent us from getting fixed wireless internet services?
  A: NO! Fixed wireless services do not use fiber or any other terrestrial land links to connect you to the Internet and there for WISP's are not constrained in offering there services based on availability of these facilities.
• Q: Why is fixed wireless service better than cable or DSL?
  A: Cable services speed and performance are based on how many users are using in your area. A cable connection will slow down with each additional user on the network. DSL service quality depends on your distance from the nearest central office. If you are further than 18,000 feet you do not even qualify. Fixed Wireless Internet is not affected by any of the above downfalls. Most fixed wireless services are also a symmetrical service which means your upload speeds are as fast as your download speeds. Cable and DSL or Asymmetrical services, they allow you fast downloads while your uploads are allot slower than your downloads.

Fixed Wireless Service providers are all over, just pick up your phone book and see who might be in or close to your area. Keep in mind that a lot WISP's tend to venture quit far from there home town. they can bounce there signal from tower to tower ever expanding to areas that have the most demand for there services. So even if you don't see a WISP advertised in your local home town, look to see if there might be a WISP in a neighboring town. They generally have there base or home office in a larger city where they can make there final connection to the internet backbone providing you your high speed service.

Most WIPS's also provide other traditional ISP services as well. Like Static IP addresses, Dedicated Bandwidth Trunks, Dedicated PTP (Point to Point) (building to building or location to location) connections, VPN's (Virtual Private Networks), Web Hosting, VOIP (Voice over IP telephone service), MDU (Multiple Dwelling Units) (Apartment complexes or Hotels) Access, and so on.

Some WISP's can even offer speeds that far out shine traditional high speed internet service provers, with speeds in excess of 30 - 45 mps. Thats because they are not bound to the bandwidth limitations of copper lines. They are only bound by the limitations of the radio units they use on the towers and at the installation location, well and the quality of the signal as well, but that plays into the radio unit technology used.

So don't hesitate to call a WISP. A lot of them offer a Free site survey to see if they can get signal at your location. Even if they cant today, if enough people call from your area, they will consider expanding to your area.

How Many HD channels do you really get?

You have all heard the HD (Hi-Def) Marketing Hype out there.

DirecTV and Dish Network to have 100 HD channels by years end.....

But do you really know how many HD channels you will get out of those 100?
Probably not. The reality of it is that those numbers are a NATIONAL total including all of the local HD channels they have available for all the major markets, Premium HD channels, additional sports subscription HD channels and the like.
So if you really think about it, you really are getting a much smaller number of HD channels in any given DMA market area. If you live in LA California, you cant watch Cincinati Ohio Locals, or Chicago Illinois Locals. So, If you take away all of the local DMA market HD channels they have available (only around 25), then add your own local HD channels back in to the mix, that will give you a much more truthful number.

So the truth of it is that you will probably only get around 55 - 60 HD channels and thats if you take the largest HD package and subscribe to the premium HD channels.

Oh wait, so you don't subscribe to HBO, Showtime, Starz, Cinemax and the like?
But what about Subscribtion sports packs? Same goes for them as well.
That takes the Total number of HD channels down some more.

When it's all said and done, if you only subscribe to the bare minimum HD package, and you don't subscribe to any additional premium or sports packages, then your total number of HD channels will probably be around 20 - 25, and thats if they even carry your Local DMA Market channels in HD at all.

Is it really worth all of the Hype? Well if you think about it, how much is the bottom dollar HD package with no additional ad-ons? Around $10 on top of your standard package price, and leasing fees and taxes. So what you are really paying is $10 for 20 - 25 channels that you already get in standard definition but now you get the privilege of viewing those 20 - 25 channels in HD, which by the way some of those channels (your HD locals) you can get for free by connecting an antenna directly to your HD TV. Depending on your distance from the local broadcast towers,
you may need to get a power boosted antenna to get the local HD channels.

Don't get me wrong, I can see the big difference between standard def and hi-def. The picture quality is awesome. But in my opinion, if you are a real HD buff, you are just ripping yourself off by only getting the bottom HD package. In order to really get your moneys worth you really need to go all out and get the top HD package and get all of the premiums and sports packs to get all of the HD channels as possible, then ask your provider to drop the standard def channels from your service to save around $30 or so. To me, thats the only way to make it worth the HD price.

WD unveils a hard drive expansion kit for Dish Network DVRs

To help Dish Network customers seeking to store even more television content when they are unable to watch it live, Western Digital today introduced the My DVR Expander USB Edition 500 GB HDD designed specifically for DVRs.

The HDD is able to store 60 hours of high-definition content or 300 hours of standard content. Users can connect the HDD to their DVR via USB 2.0 connection -- the HDD's predecessor required an eSATA port.

The hard drive stays cool and quiet because it features a no-fan passive cooling system, as WD wanted the product to be used for quiet use in the living room or bedroom.

Keeping with the "green" theme companies have adopted lately, WD implemented its GreenPower technology into this drive, which means it's designed to save at least 4 or 5 watts of power savings over competitive HDDs. In addition, WD claims this drive consumes one-third less power than a regular external HDD available today.

WD and Dish Network said the My DVR Expander can work with the ViP Series HD DVRs, and both companies expect further compatibility later.

Current Dish Network DVR users can likely use any recent model external HDD to expand their storage capacity, assuming they don't want to purchase the My DVR Expander from WD. The only requirements include that the external drive support USB 2.0, and have storage capacity between 40 GB and 750 GB. Dish Network asks users to format the HDD prior to attaching it and launching the DVR's options screen for the first time.

The WD My DVR Expander USB Edition is available now for $149.99 MSRP. Be warned, however, that Dish Network charges a one-time $40 port activation fee for external HD use.

The HD Race is on

Until last year, Dish Network offered many more HD channels than DirecTV, then DirecTV took the lead with 92 channels. The race continues, though, because it appears that Dish Network just this month upped its total to 95. Either way, each satellite service offers roughly twice as many HD channels as cable services offer.

Now the catch; 8 hours after turning on the 22 new HD channels, Dish Network shut off 15 existing VOOM HD channels. But on the flip side of that coin is that Dish Network CEO Charlie Ergen stated that Dish Network is on track to offer 100 high-def channels in 100 markets this year.

Dish Network Adds HD Channels

Dish Network is scheduled this Friday to launch a new satellite that will expand its High-Definition programming capacity

Once operational, Dish is expected to begin adding high-def channels, increasing its current total to roughly 70 to 100 by year’s end.

The satcaster has said it would launch three new satellites in 2008 to expand its capacity for high-def. Dish also plans to offer local HD channels in 100 markets by year’s end.

The following HD channels will be added this year:

ABC Family; AMC; BET; Biography; Bravo; Cartoon Network; CNN; CMT; Disney; ESPN News; HBO2; IFC; MGMHD; MTV; MoreMAX; Nickelodeon; Sci-Fi HD; Smithsonian; Starz Edge; Tennis Channel; Toon Disney; USA Network; VH1; WGN; and The Weather Channel.

DIRECTV launches new satellite to increase DTH local sports coverage

A new satellite launched successfully from the Pacific Ocean-based Sea Launch platform on March 19 will allow DIRECTV to increase its offering to include 150 channels of HD, including significant boosts in sports programming. The satellite, called DIRECTV 11, is expected go into service in early September.

The additional capacity will enable DIRECTV to expand its delivery of local HD channels to more than 100 markets, representing 84 percent of TV households in the United States. Another satellite, set for launch in 2009, will offer consumers up to 200 national HD channels.

The network continues to enhance the DIRECTV HD platform by broadcasting a number of exclusive interactive HD sports packages, like NCAA Mega March Madness, NASCAR HotPass and NFL Sunday Ticket. In addition, DIRECTV will add more HD content to its VOD platform that will formally launch in the coming weeks.

DIRECTV 11, the 10th owned and operated satellite in the satellite operator’s fleet, is a Boeing 702 satellite and is being maneuvered into a circular orbit at 99.2 degrees west longitude. When tests are completed, it is expected to begin operations in early September, providing capacity for up to 50 additional national HD channels.

The satellite’s spot beam transponders will also begin delivery of local HD channels to new markets across the United States, expanding the number of markets where DIRECTV offers local HD broadcast networks to more than 100 by the end of 2008. The operator currently offers 92 national HD channels and provides local HD broadcast channels in 77 cities, representing approximately 76 percent of U.S. TV households.

The DISH Network, DIRECTV’s competitor, was not so lucky with the recent launch of its new HD satellite. An SES Americom satellite (AMC-14), which DISH was leasing to expand its HD capacity, failed to reach its proper geostationary orbit in March. It is not known for how long the mishap will delay DISH’s launch of new HD channels.