subject: Web 2.0, Social Networking, and Satellite Broadband Internet [print this page] The internet is changing whether it's the content, the access speeds, or the way that websites are constructed and maintained, the web has undeniably changed more in the past few years than in any time during it's relatively brief history. It's changed from a commerce and communication medium to an important social platform, completely altering the way we interact with friends, businesses and employers. The web is no longer distinct from our personal lives real life events and people are organizing in ways that are completely unique in the past few years. In short, the internet is more important than ever to a great number of people, and yet rural users often get left in the dust. Today though, there are a great number of alternatives, including satellite broadband internet access and other rural-friendly access options.
Just because families are rural doesn't mean that the method of interacting and keeping up with family and friends is any different. Whether it's running an modern agricultural business or simply keeping up with an active social life the online needs of the rural American population are just as complex as those in the urban jungle. Despite the growing market for high-speed access services across rural areas, options still remain sparse.
Cable internet is often unavailable in rural areas; the wiring simply hasn't been done yet. While service areas are continuously expanding, there are wide swaths of rural America that aren't serviced by any cable utility whatsoever. In all likelihood, these are people that are already familiar with the services offered by satellite TV and who already realize the benefits of satellite in more remote areas. The physical equipment is much the same: a small mini-dish is required, generally mounted on a south-facing roof or corner. The connection is always on, and doesn't require any phone lines. This is a significant benefit over DSL (a popular internet choice for rural families since it's usually offered through a phone company) because it doesn't require any specific long-distance or other telecom package. Installation is fast and easy on most properties, and is generally handled by an installation professional. Most systems are not designed for self-installation.
Once the service is up and running, customers generally find it equal to other high speed internet access options. Although there's sometimes a lag with real-time communication (chats, internet phones, etc.), most internet applications, videos, and social networking work with the same efficiency as land-based internet options. For complex Web 2.0 applications that require the speedy transfer of data, the service is more than sufficient. Latency only affects real time communication basically adding a couple seconds of delay. For folks that aren't trying to use internet phones, customers rarely notice a difference at all. In general, for families in rural areas, satellite broadband internet continues to be a viable alternative to rural utility companies.
Web 2.0, Social Networking, and Satellite Broadband Internet
