A simple 'two way' high speed satellite system

BT Business Satellite uses a small 'two way' VSAT satellite dish (70cm x 90cm) which transmits and receives data at high speed to and from a satellite which links to the internet via the BT Business hub. Our satellite service doesn't use a phone line.

The satellite dish is mounted on, or near, your home or office with a clear and unobstructed view of the sky to the south. Inside your premises, the dish is connected by two standard coaxial cables to a BT VSAT satellite system modem. To connect one PC to the Service you can use a USB or Ethernet port.

If you want to connect up to four computers on a network for simultaneous use, the satellite modem/router connects to the LAN through an Ethernet port. No telephone connection, dial-up account or other Internet Service Provider (ISP) is needed. Move on to planning permission.

Please note that long distance satellite communications cause a slight delay (or latency) in transmission (minimum delay 750ms). To achieve high speed downloads and mask the effect of delay over the satellite link, the service 'accelerates' certain protocols that control the transmission of internet data.

Please note however, that such latency:

• may be worse at busy times
• will affect the behaviour of interactive internet applications such as some games, voice over IP, video conferencing and PC remote control applications (eg PC Anywhere, Virtual Network Computer, Citrix). These types of applications are therefore not recommended
• will affect certain types of internet application that are not able to take advantage of this 'acceleration' feature and will operate at low speed only (eg Secure VPNs). VPN applications are currently not recommended, however work is underway to provide a solution.
• will affect secure websites which may operate at slow speeds and could time out.

Speed

The service is a shared network, so speed slows down during busy time. Maximum and typical speeds (assuming resources are used equally are shown in this table.

Satellite product	Maximum speed down/up in Kbps	Typical speed down/up in Kbps)
Business 500/1	500/120	200/70
Business 500/4	500/120	300/70
'Down' or 'download' means the speed at which you receive data or information. 'Up' or 'upload' means the speed at which you send data or information. 'Kbps' means 'Kilobits per second' - not to be confused with 'Kilobytes per second'

There are no connection time-outs or cut-offs on your connection. However, excessive use can affect the whole service so traffic is monitored and action may be taken if deemed detrimental to other customers.

Certain applications are prioritised within network traffic to optimise the experience of all customers.