|
How do I choose the 2-Way Service
that will best suit me?
Does the satellite service charge
vary each month?
Can I connect more than one user
to the service?
Can I use this equipment with my
Apple Mac or Linux computer?
Can I send emails and keep my existing
email addresses?
What connection speeds should I expect?
What are the contention ratios of
the satellite service?
Are there limits to how much data
I can transfer?
Are there any limitations I should
be aware of?
What does satellite latency mean?
Can I receive satellite TV and make
phone calls over the service?
Does the satellite service get affected
by weather?
Do I require planning permission
or other permits?
Do I need landlord's permission?
What happens if/when I move?
Must I purchase the equipment?
How long will it take to get installed
and operational?
Is there anything that could prevent
the 2-Way System being installed?
How do I know if the satellite can
be "seen" from my site?
What does a "Standard"
installation consist of?
What are non-standard installation
charges?
How do I choose the 2-Way
Service that will best suit me?
AVC Broadband offers two product types, The Satlynx 3020 and the Satlynx 9000. Both systems will allow multiple computers to be connected. The 9000 is ideally suited to the home or small business user. The 9000 is also capable of supporting VPN’s (virtual private network) connectivity, although from our experience this is best suited when access over the VPN is limited to basic functions such as recovering email.
The 3020 is the ideal product for users who want require VPN access and to run large applications through the VPN. The system benefits from TCP over satellite protocol so operates in a near identical fashion to terrestrial broadband when connecting over a VPN. The system is intelligent enough to dedicate bandwidth specifically for VPN functions ensuring optimum performance.
Top
››
Does the satellite
service charge vary each month?
No. You pay a fixed service charge per month in accordance with the service package chosen.
Top
››
Can I connect more than one
user to the service?
Yes. The 2-Way satellite Indoor Unit (IDU) provides an Ethernet 10baseT connection port and AVC broadband will allocate you up to 5 IP address as standard. You may directly connect a single computer to the satellite IDU (via a "cross over" UTP cable) or more than one computer via a router.
Top
››
Can I use this equipment with
my Apple Mac or Linux computer?
Yes, no problem
Top
››
Can I send emails and keep
my existing email addresses?
Yes. AVC Broadband provides you with the web access capability so you will be able to configure any existing email software (Outlook, Outlook Express etc) in the normal way. Additionally, you will of course be able to access web mail services such as Hotmail or Gmail without complications.
For a small additional monthly charge AVC Broadband can provide you with our own dedicated hosting service, this will enable you choose an email address of your own, ending with @avcbbmail.com
Top
››
What connection speeds should
I expect?
In line with all other providers the speeds quoted are “upto” speeds as the service is based on a shared user environment. This means that the speed is can be affected by the number of simultaneous users. Sophisticated technology ensures that all users gain fair access to the network and experience the expected speeds. Our shared user services are subject to a Fair Usage Policy (FUP).
AVC Broadband are able to offer dedicated services which do not operate as part of the shared user environment. Costs vary based on the speed of service required and are quoted on a bespoke basis.
It is worth noting that performance can be significantly effected by viruses, spyware and other rogue programs which “infect” machines and can result in unwanted data being transmitted/received over the connecting network (all of which can take place without the user knowing). Always install and keep up to date firewall and anti-virus software that is readily available from many reputable suppliers.
Top
››
What are the contention ratios
of the satellite service?
People are used to hearing and reading about "contention ratios" on ADSL broadband and, not unreasonably, wish to make the same comparisons when it comes to a broadband satellite service. The concept and management of network bandwidth on a 2-way satellite service is, however, very different. If people wish to make such theoretical comparisons with ADSL broadband contention ratios then it is probably reasonable to assume ratios of 50:1 (for the 512/126kbps 2-way service) and 20:1(for the 1M/256K 2-way service).
Top
››
Are there limits to how much
data I can transfer?
Your chosen service package has an associated monthly data usage limit. If you exceed your data usage allocation for the month you will NOT be cut off. Speed restrictions will be applied so that fair network access can be maintained for all users. All customers can see their current data usage levels via the link on the AVC Broadband homepage. If you require additional data usage allowances this can be purchased. See the Fair Usage Policy for details.
Top
››
Are there any limitations
I should be aware of?
As long as your computer technology can support a proxy then it should be able to connect to the 2-Way system e.g. PCs and Macintosh and Linux are fine. There are very few limitations to using satellite communications, if you have specific applications you wish to run but are unsure of their suitability on a satellite platform please contact us and we can provide specific assurances.
Top
››
What does satellite latency
mean?
The satellite is positioned approximately 22,000Km from the earth your data "travels" up-to and down-from the satellite, effectively creating a very small delay (largely unnoticeable) this is known as latency. The AVC broadband by satellite service, however, uses what is termed an Internet Protocol Accelerator (IPA) to overcome the effects of this timing delay. The IPA effectively removes surplus protocol data and effectively retrieves the web page in fewer larger 'pieces' i.e. as opposed to a typical dial-up connection for example where the web pages are assembled and displayed "piece by piece". This IPA technique is also ideal for handling large file or email downloads.
Top
››
Can I receive satellite TV
and make phone calls over the service?
The satellite footprint over the UK, used by AVC Broadband for our service, is provided from the Hellasat satellite at 39ºE. Sky broadcast they satellite TV pictures from the Astra satellite at 28.2ºE, therefore we do not offer an inclusive package that includes TV and Broadband. It is possible to use the AVC service for VoIP.
Top
››
Does the satellite service
get affected by weather?
The service is designed to cope with most weather conditions and wind speeds up to 100mph. During periods of extremely heavy rain or snow the radio signals could become attenuated (reduced) and you may experience a slight "slowing" of the service for such a period. There are, however, sophisticated and automatic measures to effectively increase the power of your system to compensate for any attenuation.
Top
››
Do I require planning permission
or other permits?
Households in the UK do not need permission to site a dish that is less than 1 metre. The vast majority of dishes AVC use to provide our service are less than 1 Metre in size. In the event that you require a large dish to receive our service we will speicifically advise you. Typically this only effects our customers in the northern regions of Scotland.
Households are also allowed to site 2 dishes on their property, so you are able to have a satellite television dish and an AVC Broadband satellite dish located on the same building. The government have produce a leaflet providing detailed advice this can be viewed here
Top
››
Do I need landlord's permission?
If you do not directly own your building, you will require the permission of the Landlord to install a satellite dish and this should be obtained in writing. AVC broadband does not take any responsibility for obtaining such permissions from landlords or for any consequences should such permission not being obtained by the customer.
Top
››
What happens if/when I move?
Simply contact AVC broadband and we will arrange for the de-installation of the equipment and its re-installation at your new location. Obviously charges will apply for these activities which will be advised when the details of the move are made known to us. No additional charges would be made to restore you monthly satellite service.
Top
››
Must I purchase the equipment?
The equipment is required to be purchased by customers.
Top
››
How long will it take to
get installed and operational?
Under normal circumstances you should be installed & operating within 7 days from providing payment details to AVC broadband.
Top
››
Is there anything that could
prevent the 2-Way System being installed?
As you will be transmitting a radio signal your site must firstly be given approval from Ofcom to be installed. AVC undertakes this process with Ofcom on your behalf and the approval is normally given within minutes. In some instances where a customer's site may be located close to an airport, MOD facility or other area considered by Ofcom to be "sensitive", then the approval process can take a couple of weeks. Extremely rarely is ever a customer site refused "clearance" by Ofcom to be installed. But should such an instance arise, AVC broadband will refund in full any money paid.
Top
››
How do I know if the satellite
can be "seen" from my site?
From the desired and accessible point on your building, the dish would need to point due South (in fact approx 30 degrees towards the East from exactly due South) and tilt up (elevate) at approximately 20 degrees. Nothing can obstruct this effective" window" to the Southern Sky (i.e. what is termed the satellite "Line of Sight"). A simple compass would of course help you confirm this but equally if you can see a satellite TV dish on a building, your dish would need to point (i.e. see the sky) in a very similar direction.
Top
››
What does a "Standard"
installation consist of?
A standard installation applies to sites on the UK mainland and comprises of the outdoor & indoor satellite equipment, up to 50meters of connecting cable from the dish, a right angled wall mount and earthen to a suitable point within 2 meters of the indoor unit location.
Our engineers will fully install the system and demonstrate it prior to the completion of the installation. However, due to the complexity and bespoke nature of some businesses and home networks we will not as standard connect the system directly in to a network. We will of course provide information and support to connect and configure the satellite indoor unit with your network.
Top
››
What are non-standard installation
charges?
AVC broadband does not seek to make more money by charging customers for additional non-standard equipment and/or services. It is a fact, however, that by the physical nature/orientation of certain sites the dish cannot always achieve a line of sight using a right-angled wall mount and an alternative mount may be needed. Equally, some customers have particular requirements where additional time, services or other materials may be required e.g. false ceilings, high roof/access areas, etc. In all instances the AVC broadband installation engineers will attend site equipped with the aim to complete all installations on the single site visit. Any Non- Standard elements presented by the particular site and/or customer requirements will be advised and explained to that customer on the day of installation together with the associated charges. Customers are required to call AVC broadband at that time and pay these non-standard charges using a credit/debit card and before the installation works commence at the site.
Top
››
|
