La GRANGE SATELLITE SYSTEMS
900 N 5th Street La Grange, Mo. 63448
Voice 573-655-2260 fax 2261
email jbrandt@gte.net
STARBAND
GILAT - TO - HOME
SATELLITE
from/to your
home
INTERNET
Included with the Gilat - to - home STARBAND system is a satellite dish, a satellite data transmitter, a satellite data receiver.
What is Gilat-To-Home (GTH)?
GTH is the first two-way, always-on satellite-delivered Internet
service for the consumer market. GTH uses a specially designed 24x36-inch
satellite dish equipped with both a satellite transmitter and receiver for
two-way satellite connectivity. The GTH system can also be configured to
receive satellite television service from DISH
Network – as well as two-way satellite Internet service from GTH
– using a single dish. Inside the home, the GTH system currently
consists of a pre-configured desktop PC that includes a satellite receiver
card and a satellite transmitter card plugged into two PCI slots. In the
near future, GTH will also offer an external "satellite modem"
option that packages the PCI cards in a stand-alone box and connects to a
PC through the USB port. In both cases, no telephone connection, no
dial-up account and no terrestrial Internet service provider are needed.
How fast is the GTH
Internet connection?
GTH provides an always-on broadband Internet service on par with other
broadband offerings such as ADSL and cable delivered service. With GTH,
the typical Web surfing experience will be about 10 times faster than
standard dial-up modems when receiving content, and about twice as fast as
standard dial-up service when sending information.
How much will the
GTH system and service cost?
Exact pricing is still to be determined, but the GTH system will be priced
to compete aggressively in the consumer broadband marketplace.
When and where will
GTH service be available?
GTH expects to begin marketing its service in the fourth quarter of 2000
through a number of channels. The GTH Internet offering will be available
directly from Microsoft
and through MSN retailers,
including more than 7,000 RadioShack locations throughout the United
States. It will also be available through Echostar DISH Network's nationwide
dealer network under
a bundled GTH Internet and DISH Network 500-channel digital television
offering.
How can I learn more about GTH product availability and opportunities to participate in GTH pilot testing?
Check this site for regular service offering updates. Click
here to put your name on the list to receive more
information about product availability.
If this is a new
service, how can you say that GTH uses "field-proven"
technology?
While new to the consumer market, Gilat's industry-leading satellite
technology has been the wide-area networking platform of choice for major
businesses throughout the world for many years. The technology behind the
GTH system is based on Gilat's corporate VSAT technology which is used in
over 200,000 business locations to support a wide variety of
mission-critical applications.
How does GTH
compare with other satellite-delivered Internet systems?
GTH is a true always-on Internet service that both receives and transmits
Internet content over satellite at broadband speeds. Unlike its satellite
Internet competitors, GTH does not require consumers to tie up their phone
line or retain a separate terrestrial Internet service provider. The GTH
product responds to what today's Internet enthusiasts say they want –
high-speed, always-on connection to the Internet that doesn't require a
telephone connection. Instead of having to deal with multiple service
providers, multiple bills, busy telephone lines and slow transmission
speeds, GTH offers a one-stop complete Internet service package.
How does GTH
service compare to Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and cable modems?
GTH, like DSL and cable modems, provides an always-on, broadband
connection to the Internet. However, unlike DSL and cable modem service,
which are extremely limited in availability, GTH is available throughout
the country – even in remote areas – over satellite. As long as you
have line-of-sight to the satellite, the service is available to you.
How does GTH
compare with standard dial-up Internet access?
GTH provides always-on Internet service that is many times faster than
standard 56 kbps service. GTH does not require users to dial-in for access
and it does not tie up telephone lines like dial-up connections do.
What is required in
a GTH installation?
The GTH installation process is nearly identical to the standard
small-dish satellite television installation process, except that it
involves a slightly larger antenna and two additional coaxial cables
running from the dish to the pre-configured consumer PC or stand-alone
"satellite modem." In addition, because the GTH service both
sends and receives content via satellite, the dish pointing process may
require slightly greater precision, as compared to receive-only satellite
television offerings.
Does GTH require a
telephone connection?
No. Because it uses Gilat's industry-leading satellite return-path
technology, the GTH system is completely independent of terrestrial wires
and does not require a telephone connection. All Internet content is
received and transmitted over satellite.
Does GTH require an
account with a terrestrial Interent Service Provider (ISP)?
No. Because it doesn't use a dial-up telephone connection, the GTH service
does not require an account with a terrestrial ISP.
What satellite does
the GTH service use?
Through its relationships with GE Americom and other leading owners and
operator of communications satellites, Gilat purchases capacity on a
number of different satellites for both its business and consumer
satellite products and services.
From whom will GTH
users receive service?
GTH and MSN will be the primary ISPs for GTH subscribers, providing all
Web access and e-mail services.
How will GTH users
surf the Internet and receive e-mail?
GTH users will access Internet and e-mail content using standard PC-based
browser and e-mail applications.
Is GTH available
outside of the continental U.S.?
GTH service will launch in the continental U.S. in the fourth quarter of
2000. Gilat Satellite Networks recently announced the creation of Gilat-To-Home
Latin America, which will enter that market in early 2001. Gilat Satellite
Networks will issue press releases regarding the Latin venture partners
and company plans for other international market plans as appropriate.
Does GTH work with
small-dish satellite television services?
Yes. With a DISH upgrade, GTH's 24x36-inch satellite antenna is capable of
simultaneously receiving DISH Network's 500-channel digital television
programming for reception on your TV, as well as always-on Internet
service on your PC from the GTH satellite. The GTH satellite antenna will
be available in a configuration that has two DISH Network satellite
receivers on the antenna for satellite television reception – this in
addition to a third satellite receiver for receiving Internet content and
a GTH satellite transmitter for transmitting to the Internet. The GTH
system is not compatible with satellite television systems other than
EchoStar's DISH Network.
If a consumer
already has a DISH Network system installed, how do they upgrade to GTH?
If an existing DISH service subscriber receives programming from EchoStar
satellites at 110° and 119°, upgrading to the GTH service is as simple
as swapping out the standard DISH Network satellite antenna for a GTH
satellite antenna and mount and running two additional coaxial cables from
the antenna to the consumer's PC. No modifications are required to the
existing DISH Network receivers or wiring.
The Gilat - to - home System also comes configured with a complete DISH Network satellite system and the Gilat-to-home STARBAND system for those homes that do not already have direct satellite TV systems.
La Grange
Satellite Systems
is a
CERTIFIED
SPACENET / GILAT
Service
and
Installation
company.
Contact Jerry or Scott Brandt to see
if your location can work with the
Gilat-to-home satellite service.
FOR
MORE SPECIFICATIONS
