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WildBlue – Broadband Internet for the rest of us.

By Parrish Reinoehl, Pathfinder Networks

May, 2005

For many, having access to Broadband Internet has become more than just a luxury, it has become a necessity.  Many of our clients are home-based workers and are only able to be home-based because of their ability to access the Internet at high speeds.  They are able to perform the same work that other employees can only do at the work place. 

Within the last couple of years Verizon, SBC, and Comcast have invested huge amounts to expand their Broadband Internet networks to smaller communities such as ours.  It is now fairly easy to sign up for Broadband Internet- as long as you are within range of the telco or cable company’s equipment.  If you are outside that range, however, you have been unable to be a part of this high-speed revolution.  Until now.

Introducing WildBlue. 

WildBlue is a satellite based Broadband Internet system.  Many of you have probably heard my mention of it in previous articles or seen other advertising recently.  We are now, finally, on the verge of being able to offer this great new product. 

For those of you unfamiliar with the technology, this is what it’s all about.  WildBlue is very similar to Dish Network or DirecTV.  The high-speed Internet signals travel through this dish- there are no phone lines involved.  Satellite cables will route this signal from the dish outside your home to a modem inside your home.  This modem operates much the same as a typical cable modem.  It will provide an Ethernet port that can either be connected directly to your PC or, if you have more than one PC, to a router.  Yes, that’s right; you can connect WildBlue to your home network and share the high-speed connection between all your PC’s!

A certified WildBlue technician, such as those at Pathfinder Networks, will professionally install your WildBlue system and register your system for high-speed access.  Because the satellite system is two-way, meaning it both receives and transmits radio signals, it can only be installed by certified technicians.  Once your system is installed and commissioned you will be able to surf the Internet at speeds many times faster than dial-up!  The connection will be “always on”, meaning your Internet connection is always there and ready for immediate use- no waiting for a modem to connect. 

WildBlue will be offered with three different packages: Value, Select, and Pro.  The primary difference between these packages is with the download speed.  All packages will provide at least 128kbps upload (likely closer to 256kbps) speeds.  The Value package will provide up to 512kbps download while the Pro package will provide up to 1.5mbps downloads.  For comparison, a typical dial-up connection only provides for 45kbps downloads!  You will easily see a 10 fold speed increase over dialup!  The chart below outlines the packages and pricing of each.

Equipment is $299.00 and the standard professional installation is $179.00.  Standard installation will include mounting and pointing the dish and connecting the modem to an Ethernet port installed on your PC.  Obviously, if you are able to utilize a DSL connection from your phone company or even a cable Internet connection from your cable company, WildBlue is probably not for you.  For the rest of America, that will likely not have access to other Broadband options for many years to come, this is the ideal answer.

WildBlue will be commercially available at the very beginning of July 2005.  Don’t be fooled by other WildBlue providers making false promises that the service will be available before then- it’s simply not true.  Other regions of the United States will be active before that time, but our region (nearly all of Michigan and Indiana) is set to be “turned up” near the middle of June.

Also beware of other providers that are not computer network savvy.  Many dealers will simply install the WildBlue system and leave you “high and dry” and on your own to connect your PC to the WildBlue modem.  They also may not be trained to configure your home network for Internet sharing or for resolving spyware or virus problems on your PC.  The technicians at Pathfinder Networks are network and computer experts first- WildBlue installers second.  We will be there to make sure you have a successful and enjoyable WildBlue Internet experience!

For more information about the WildBlue service please visit our website at http://www.PathfinderNetworks.us or the WildBlue home page at http://www.WildBlue.com

About the Author:

Parrish Reinoehl is President of Pathfinder Networks; a Niles based technology consulting firm specializing in providing affordable computer services to small businesses and home users including networks, PC support, sales, and service.  Pathfinder Networks can be reached at 269-684-7696 or via email at parrish@pathfindernetworks.us

Pathfinder Networks website is http://www.PathfinderNetworks.us

Visit our retail location at 1920 S. 11^th St., Niles, MI (in Belle Plaza).  We now sell Dish Network Satellite television and Sirius Satellite Radio!

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