Questions about Satellite Internet

[Proudly Karoo]

I have attempted to get answers to these questions from ISPs without luck.
Perhaps someone here can help.
1)
Considering the high latency associated with satellite, would I be able to:
a) Make voice calls via WhatsApp?
b) Host webinars?
c) Conduct Skype on on one consultations?
d) Stream applications such as Netflix?
2)
Speeds of 20 Mbps are indicated.
What are realistic speeds?
3)
What is the typical downtime with satellite internet (due to weather, server maintenance and upgrades, etc).

The options for internet connectivity available here (Venterstad) are limited to cellular networks.
The best is Vodacom but I cannot get anything better than a very slow 3G HSDPA.
I get between 2.2 to 3.0 Mbps download speeds.
At the end of the month when more people have money to buy data, I am down to EDGE and/or no internet connectivity.

I am keen to sign up for a 20 Mbps uncapped satellite package but have a few questions before signing a pricey 2 year contract.

Thank you

 

[kat_vis]

PM me

 

[JohnStarr]

I have attempted to get answers to these questions from ISPs without luck.
Perhaps someone here can help.
1)
Considering the high latency associated with satellite, would I be able to:
a) Make voice calls via WhatsApp?
b) Host webinars?
c) Conduct Skype on on one consultations?
d) Stream applications such as Netflix?
2)
Speeds of 20 Mbps are indicated.
What are realistic speeds?
3)
What is the typical downtime with satellite internet (due to weather, server maintenance and upgrades, etc).

The options for internet connectivity available here (Venterstad) are limited to cellular networks.
The best is Vodacom but I cannot get anything better than a very slow 3G HSDPA.
I get between 2.2 to 3.0 Mbps download speeds.
At the end of the month when more people have money to buy data, I am down to EDGE and/or no internet connectivity.

I am keen to sign up for a 20 Mbps uncapped satellite package but have a few questions before signing a pricey 2 year contract.

Thank you

1a. Should be able to make WhatsApp calls, but don't obviously host a telephone system on it. The latency will kill it.
1b. Maybe, depending on the latency and speed you get.
1c. Skype should be fine without video at the same time.
2. Not sure. Depends on latency.
3. Any adverse weather and you can expect some form of downtime. Fog will cause that too for instance.

Don't expect to game on it either. Streaming Netflix should be fine, but you can always set the quality it streams at too. Just do your homework on the provider.

 

[AstroTurf]

I have attempted to get answers to these questions from ISPs without luck.
Perhaps someone here can help.
1)
Considering the high latency associated with satellite, would I be able to:
a) Make voice calls via WhatsApp?
b) Host webinars?
c) Conduct Skype on on one consultations?
d) Stream applications such as Netflix?
2)
Speeds of 20 Mbps are indicated.
What are realistic speeds?
3)
What is the typical downtime with satellite internet (due to weather, server maintenance and upgrades, etc).

The options for internet connectivity available here (Venterstad) are limited to cellular networks.
The best is Vodacom but I cannot get anything better than a very slow 3G HSDPA.
I get between 2.2 to 3.0 Mbps download speeds.
At the end of the month when more people have money to buy data, I am down to EDGE and/or no internet connectivity.

I am keen to sign up for a 20 Mbps uncapped satellite package but have a few questions before signing a pricey 2 year contract.

Thank you

What router are you using and what does vodacom's coverage map say?

with a B315 I was averaging 1 to 3 Mbps DL and it would keep dropping to 3g.

then I got a Balong 5000 (only does 4g/5g) now I get around 25Mbps and no more connection dropping or other issues.

Also with Vodacom.

Also obviously in rural...

 

[netstrider]

You should be able to stream Netflix fine. Will just be dormant for a bit at the start of an episode or movie (delayed start). Other real-time things such as voice may not be satisfactory in the sense that there's usually about 600ms latency on satellite.

You could pre-order Starlink which will get you closer to mobile latencies, but it's not available right away.

Pretty much all sat experiences I've heard have been negative.

You may be better off getting an external antenna for your LTE router in the meantime.

 

[Proudly Karoo]

1a. Should be able to make WhatsApp calls, but don't obviously host a telephone system on it. The latency will kill it.
1b. Maybe, depending on the latency and speed you get.
1c. Skype should be fine without video at the same time.
2. Not sure. Depends on latency.
3. Any adverse weather and you can expect some form of downtime. Fog will cause that too for instance.

Don't expect to game on it either. Streaming Netflix should be fine, but you can always set the quality it streams at too. Just do your homework on the provider.

Thank you for the information

 

[Proudly Karoo]

You should be able to stream Netflix fine. Will just be dormant for a bit at the start of an episode or movie (delayed start). Other real-time things such as voice may not be satisfactory in the sense that there's usually about 600ms latency on satellite.

You could pre-order Starlink which will get you closer to mobile latencies, but it's not available right away.

Pretty much all sat experiences I've heard have been negative.

You may be better off getting an external antenna for your LTE router in the meantime.

Thanks for the reply.
Yes, I have done just that - get an external antenna - and it has improved the connection.
Meanwhile it seems that Vodacom (I say it seems because despite my various complaints Vodacom do not keep you informed) have done some upgrade to their tower. I now get 4G but the capacity is still not what it should be.
Nevertheless a welcome improvement!

 

[Proudly Karoo]

What router are you using and what does vodacom's coverage map say?

with a B315 I was averaging 1 to 3 Mbps DL and it would keep dropping to 3g.

then I got a Balong 5000 (only does 4g/5g) now I get around 25Mbps and no more connection dropping or other issues.

Also with Vodacom.

Also obviously in rural...

Thanks for the advice.
I will look at what you suggest if indeed Vodacom have upgraded the tower to 4G (see my answer to netstrider).
ie Balong 5000

 

[Proudly Karoo]

1a. Should be able to make WhatsApp calls, but don't obviously host a telephone system on it. The latency will kill it.
1b. Maybe, depending on the latency and speed you get.
1c. Skype should be fine without video at the same time.
2. Not sure. Depends on latency.
3. Any adverse weather and you can expect some form of downtime. Fog will cause that too for instance.

Don't expect to game on it either. Streaming Netflix should be fine, but you can always set the quality it streams at too. Just do your homework on the provider.

Thank you

 

[Proudly Karoo]

PM me

Thanks for the offer but I have the information that I was looking for.
Satellite although a "semi-option", at the price is not worth it.
For now, I will manage with the Vodacom offering.

 

[Alan Dore]

I have attempted to get answers to these questions from ISPs without luck.
Perhaps someone here can help.
1)
Considering the high latency associated with satellite, would I be able to:
a) Make voice calls via WhatsApp?
b) Host webinars?
c) Conduct Skype on on one consultations?
d) Stream applications such as Netflix?
2)
Speeds of 20 Mbps are indicated.
What are realistic speeds?
3)
What is the typical downtime with satellite internet (due to weather, server maintenance and upgrades, etc).

The options for internet connectivity available here (Venterstad) are limited to cellular networks.
The best is Vodacom but I cannot get anything better than a very slow 3G HSDPA.
I get between 2.2 to 3.0 Mbps download speeds.
At the end of the month when more people have money to buy data, I am down to EDGE and/or no internet connectivity.

I am keen to sign up for a 20 Mbps uncapped satellite package but have a few questions before signing a pricey 2 year contract.

Thank you

PM me

 

[Alan Dore]

Hi Proudly Karoo
I have been in the Telecommunications game for over 40 years, the latter 20 years in sales.
Satellite is not a replacement for fibre but can provide backup for these products. It is however a replacement for LTE with certain restrictions, in that the latency may prove problematic for gaming first player shooter games and programmes that require less than 600ms latency.
With the 3 meg up, 20 Meg down service I supply for between R1200-R600, You can make WhatsApp voice calls no problem. I have not had a customer hosting webinars yet. Skype, Zoom and MS teams work well, I regularly attend Zoom meeting with 3 attendees and MS teams with over 40 attendees. I constantly watch Showmax and stream you tube, even in the background whilst doing work such as quoting systems and emails and WhatsApp.
Realistic speed is 2.5Meg upload and18.5Meg download. I have had zero downtime in the last 4 months since my personal satellite was installed, compared to my previous LTE, which sometimes suffered 9hrs failure for no reason, suffered 2-3 hrs outages whenever there was load shedding at my providers tower and outages due to vandalization of the tower. This is despite having an extended aerial on a pole mounted on my farmhouse. According to the suppliers only dust accumulation on the dish due to dust storms (in Saudi Arabian installations) and heavy precipitation on the dish would affect it. I have not experienced downtime despite my DSTV served by DSTV dish being affected by heavy storms. I also run my burglar alarm through it and customers of mine view their remote security cameras through it. I have also had satellite systems running up to 4 voice channels connected to PABX in remote areas like ski resorts running satifactorily on VoIP for over 15 years! Anyone can. contact me for advice or service, anywhere in the country

 

[Sapphiron]

Satellite internet
Do not sign a 2 year contract.

SpaceX Starlink is likely to launch sometime in the next year and will radically change pricing and performance in this market.

Ask them for the upfront cost of a 1 year contract.

other LTE options
Also, regarding the 3G signal. Have you tried any directional LTE radio's to improve your signal strength.
Something like this:

MikroTik LHG LTE Kit 17dBi Outdoor CPE | RBLHGR&R11e-LTE

MikroTik's RB-LHGLTE is ideal for remote locations that have little or very weak cellular network coverage. Mount it outdoors on a pole, mast or any high structure to connect even when other LTE routers cannot.

scoop.co.za

The LTE radio is built into the antenna and not the dodgy external antennas that plug into a standard router. You simply run an ethernet cable to this antenna for power and data.

to give you some context, a good Indoor LTE router has 3-4dbi antenna's. This one is 17dbi. since dbi is a logarithmic scale it will improve signal strength by 40-50x. On top of that it does not have to deal with interior walls.

WISPS
you may want to check for WISPs (wireless ISP) in you area. They might have some wireless towers connecting to fibre backhauls running along the N1 near Colesberg.

Check if anyone in town has dish based antenna's on the side of their buildings and ask them who they are using.

Otherwise, there may be a business opportunity for you there . Its a very easy business to run in rural area's if you have some technical people who can assist you remotely with setting up your networking equipment.

 

[Alan Dore]

Hi Proudly Karoo
I have been in the Telecommunications game for over 40 years, the latter 20 years in sales.
Satellite is not a replacement for fibre but can provide backup for these products. It is however a replacement for LTE with certain restrictions, in that the latency may prove problematic for gaming first player shooter games and programmes that require less than 600ms latency.
With the 3 meg up, 20 Meg down service I supply for between R1200-R600, You can make WhatsApp voice calls no problem. I have not had a customer hosting webinars yet. Skype, Zoom and MS teams work well, I regularly attend Zoom meeting with 3 attendees and MS teams with over 40 attendees. I constantly watch Showmax and stream you tube, even in the background whilst doing work such as quoting systems and emails and WhatsApp.
Realistic speed is 2.5Meg upload and18.5Meg download. I have had zero downtime in the last 4 months since my personal satellite was installed, compared to my previous LTE, which sometimes suffered 9hrs failure for no reason, suffered 2-3 hrs outages whenever there was load shedding at my providers tower and outages due to vandalization of the tower. This is despite having an extended aerial on a pole mounted on my farmhouse. According to the suppliers only dust accumulation on the dish due to dust storms (in Saudi Arabian installations) and heavy precipitation on the dish would affect it. I have not experienced downtime despite my DSTV served by DSTV dish being affected by heavy storms. I also run my burglar alarm through it and customers of mine view their remote security cameras through it. I have also had satellite systems running up to 4 voice channels connected to PABX in remote areas like ski resorts running satifactorily on VoIP for over 15 years! Anyone can. contact me for advice or service, anywhere in the country

LTE may be faster, although less reliable. The speeds vary depending on how many customers are sharing simultaneously, and is affected, as are WISPS, by load shedding, vandalisation of the tower and tower maintenance.
Starlink is designed to work to ground stations and then be distributed by cables, The alternative Starlink setup is to have a motorised dish that can track the satellite as they are not geo-stationary, that may prove to be expensive,
Also the launch in South Africa may be delayed by the local requirement of 30% BEEE ownership.