StarBand — a high-speed, two-way satellite Internet provider for residential and small office customers — has announced that it’s expanding its StarBand 480 Pro service nationwide across the U.S and making it compatible with Mac, Unix, and Linux operating systems, as well as Windows.
However, the StarBand Web site doesn’t specify the system requirements for Mac users. In fact, some parts of the company’s Web site haven’t been updated and still say that the service isn’t Mac compatible. More information will follow.
The StarBand 480 Pro offers Internet service with peak download speeds of up to 1Mbps and upload speeds of up to 100Kbps. The satellite modem includes a four-port Ethernet router that lets you network several computers.
The StarBand system consists of a 24 by 36 inch satellite dish mounted on or near your home or business. The dish must have a clear unobstructed view of the southern sky. Two standard coaxial cables connect the satellite dish antenna to a computer or a StarBand satellite modem.
The antenna both sends requests to the Internet and receives Internet content via the satellite, which is in orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator. The satellite communicates with the StarBand hub facility, which has a direct connection to the Internet.
In addition to the two-way satellite Internet service, the StarBand system can also be configured to receive satellite television service from EchoStar’s DISH Network (which isn’t available in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S Virgin Islands).
Inside your house or office, the StarBand system consists of a satellite modem that attaches to your computer through an Ethernet or USB port. No telephone connection, dial-up account, or other Internet service providers are needed.
When a customer accesses StarBand Internet service, the signal travels over inside wiring to the rooftop antenna. The antenna then relays the data signals to a satellite. The satellite sends the signal to the StarBand Network Operations Center where it gathers, aggregates, and routes the signals to deliver data from the Internet to the customer. The StarBand antenna accommodates both StarBand high-speed Internet service and DISH Network satellite TV programming in the continental U.S.
The company’s expansion follows a filing of Chapter 11, which lets a company restructure its finances and continue operating while getting debt relief. StarBand pricing is comprised of an ongoing monthly fee for Internet usage plus a one-time equipment fee for the StarBand indoor and outdoor equipment. Professional installation by a StarBand certified installer, for an additional fee, is also required. Pricing for these fees is at the discretion of the authorized distribution partners selling the StarBand service.