What's your set-up? I don't know much but I could probably help a little. DSL may be available where you are in the next few years. They developed a way to extend it's range up to 60,000 feet.

I live on a farm in Texas a long ways from town. No cable here either. I just have a HP with ME.

The thing you need to ask yourself is do you want hi-speed for downloading and uploading. Most sat systems allow onlow hi-speed download. There is one system that goes bi-directional that I know of.

As a directv subscriber, I just got a flyer in the mail for the Hughes 2-way sat. system called DirecWAY. I'm in the same boat you are - no cable, no dsl. Were I not unemployed, I'd be jumping on that DirecWAY. You can also get single dish 2-way internet + video programming, which seems the hot ticket. It seems a little steep, $400-600 for the dish & equipment.

My issue with it is that the interface is USB, and only to M$ operating systems, which I rarely use, and certainly would not consider as an "always on" internet server. Once they release an ethernet box I'll be all over it. Well, assuming I'm solvent by then.

I need to have both directions.

Did you call your cable company (If you have one in your area) to check on the availability of High Speed Internet? Some rural areas in my state already have "Roadrunner", and my state is mostly rural.

Thanks I'll sure check this out.

As far as I know there is no cable where I live.

"On March 31, 1999, FCC price controls on cable TV ended. Under deregulation your cable company can charge you whatever it wants. (Just like the Gas and Electric Co. in California.)"

wouldn't use dishnetwork....this is n out n out lie....
the "public utilities commision" controls prices in kalifornia...libereal politicians...thats why the electric co is bankrupt....

loral? is this a chinese rocket?

I've been looking at 2-way satellite internet connectivity for my inlaws, who live in a very rural part of the Upper penninsula of Michigan.

Anyone have any real-life experience with DirecWay, or DirecPC satellite systems? Would love to hear some feedback before I pop $500-$700k for one.

http://store.yahoo.com/mini-dish/direcpc.html

I have no hands on experience with Satellite PC systems. My experience is mailny with working with DSL.

StarBand

"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."

Checking this one out Bogey. Thanks.

You should check out some of the services provided by Gilat. I do not use their services but came across them during my some research. (They are a public Israeli company trading on the NASDAQ).

http://www.gilat.com/Home.asp

Thanks and thanks for the link.

You should check out some of the services provided by Gilat. I do not use their services but came across them doing some research. (They are a public Israeli company trading on the NASDAQ).

http://www.gilat.com/Home.asp

"The Starband service offers 500 Kbps downstream (from the Internet to the PC) and 150 Kbps upstream
according to spokeswoman Sandy Colony. Colony said Radio Shack is packaging the Starband service
with new Compaq computers for $59.95, but does not offer upgrade products for PCs.
The service is also being sold as part of a package
by resellers of Echostar's (DISH) satellite TV service, the Dish Network."

keep your dialup....let someone else "experiment" with it...mho

Thanks Aaron I will check them out.