Last month MacCentral reported that EarthLink’s long-planned satellite Internet access for the Mac platform is at a standstill because, according to EarthLink officials, they’re “at the mercy of Hughes Network Systems (the network provider for the satellite service) as far as a Mac version of the service goes.”
However, Mac consultant Chip Dunbar has been in touch with the folks at Hughes and reports that there’s some potential good news in that regard. In the late spring/early summer time frame Hughes plans to begin shipping a new accessory for DIRECWAY two-way systems: the DW4020 Satellite Gateway.
“The DW4020 can be easily plugged into the two-way system, instantly giving it the ability to network multiple PCs in the home or office,” Hughes said. “This state-of-the-art accessory, which won an innovations award at the 2001 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, can network all types of computers, peripherals, and operating systems, including the Mac.”
You can keep your eye on the Hughes Web site for more updates and information on the DW4020. Early estimates have it costing US$200 to $300 more than the current DirecWay hardware package.