Hughes Communications, Inc., known in the US as the satellite Internet provider HughesNet, was recently awarded the “Broadband Satellite Operator of the Year” from Euroconsult, a global leader in satellite consulting and analysis.

The award was accepted by Pradman Kaul, president and CEO of Hughes, at the 14th World Summit for Satellite Financing held at the Hotel Westin in Paris, France on September 8th.  Kaul graciously accepted the award, stating, “I am honored to accept this award on behalf of all the employees and shareholders of Hughes, and appreciate that Euroconsult recognizes our business achievements last year and our momentum moving forward.”

So you’ve made the decision to get high speed Internet.  Congratulations!  You’ll love the enhanced online abilities you’ll gain from faster browsing speeds. But how do you know which high speed Internet service to get?

For most, the choice boils down to three things:

1. Availability – Which high speed Internet providers are in your area?
2. Speed – How fast is fast?  And how fast is too fast?
3. Cost – Is high speed really that much more than dial-up Internet?

If you can nail down an acceptable service that meets the usual criteria, you’ve pretty much settled on your high speed Internet provider. If you want to get started looking, you can compare providers and plans right now with the “Find Savings” widget at the top of the page. Just enter your address and we’ll show you what’s available.

In the mean time, let’s breakdown the usual criteria.

Availability – In some areas, there may only be one provider.  Maybe you can only get high speed cable Internet (also known as “broadband”) from your local cable provider. Maybe your only option is DSL high speed Internet from the local telephone company. Of course, you may have multiple choices from several differnet providers. In that case, compare speed and cost to see what ets you the most bang for your buck.

Of course, even if you live in a more rural area you can still get high speed Internet. Just because there isn’t a cable line or DSL wire that runs to yor house doesn’t mean you can’t have high speed Internet. Look into satellite Internet. You’d need a dish, but no wires. The cost and speeds are both comparable to cable and DSL, so satellite Internet is totally acceptable option for getting high speed Internet in rural areas.

Speed – So let’s talk about speed. If you’re used to dial-up, high speed Internet will definitely be a welcomed change of pace.  Pages that used to take several minutes to fully display will pop up almost instantly.  That new picture of your neice that your sister sent over will download right away.  If you choose fiber optic Internet, like Verizon FiOS, the speed will simply amaze you.  You’ll truly wonder why you didn’t switch before now.

But how fast is fast? This chart should help you understand the different speeds and how they apply to you.

So how do those speeds apply to you? Well, the faster your Internet the faster you can download that picture of your neice. At 50 mbps, you could also watch HD movies online and feel like you’re at the theater!

Cost – You’ll also consider cost. The good news is that high speed Internet is priced for a variety of needs. If you have no interest in playing the latest online games or watching feature films over the Internet, than you probably don’t need to pay for the best of the best. Most of us will do just fine with a basic high speed service. The best idea for you is to find out what providers actually offer high speed Internet at your house. From there, you can determine how much you’re willing to spend. Having a price in mind will help you decide if you want high speed Internet or ultra fast high speed Internet.

Our demands on the limits of technology seem to grow by the day.  Even in larger metro areas, high speed Internet doesn’t always seem so “high speed”.  So what do you do when looking for high speed Internet in rural areas?

If you’ve found your online needs have outgrown dial-up Internet, here area a few items to consider:

• Does your local cable provider offer service in your area? Sometimes we forget that cable services, like high speed Internet, actually do run through cables.  If the cables don’t make it to your house, cable Internet isn’t an option.  However, it may pay to ask if there is a timeline setup to deliver access to your house.  If cable Internet is a year or less away, it may pay to wait it out.
• Have you talked to your phone company? Many times, the local phone company is the first place people turn to find high speed Internet.  However, they’re in a similar to position to your cable providers.  If the lines physically don’t make it to your house you can’t get DSL high speed Internet.  In rural areas, this often appears to be the case.
• Is satellite Internet an option? In many places where cable or DSL high speed Internet isn’t available, satellite Internet is a perfectly reasonable alternative.  When it comes to satellite, there are no cable to run to the house, so you can literally get satellite Internet almost anywhere.  You still have to have the correct angle on the signal, but that is typically an easy problem to solve.
• Have you talked to your local mobile phone company? With the influx of “air cards”, mobile high speed Internet is catching on.  Companies like Clear provide home high speed Internet based solely on wireless network coverage.  It’s just like having a wired connection in your house, but it receives its signal from the wireless network.

If you’re looking for high speed Internet in rural areas, you may think your options are limited.  They’re really not.  You may not have the same options as your metropolitan neighbors, but you can certainly enjoy similar Internet speeds.  If you broaden your ideas of how you can connect to the Internet, you can download movies and photos, play online games and more.

Do you believe satellite TV is expensive? Are you under the impression that a satellite dish is ugly, obtrusive and hard to install? Think you can’t bundle your phone, Internet and TV service together if you sign on with a satellite TV provider? When you compare satellite TV to other TV services, you’ll find these statements are not true.

In fact, when you compare satellite TV to cable, you’ll find the prices are comparable, and consumer satisfaction is often rated even higher for both DISH Network and DirecTV—the two major satellite TV providers—than it is for some cable companies, depending on region.

Save money with Satellite TV Packages

First, let’s address the cost of satellite TV. The basic satellite TV packages from both satellite TV providers cost under $30, which is comparable—or less than—the price for cable TV. For your money, you’ll receive well over 100 channels, plus 50 or more satellite radio stations. Additionally, satellite TV is completely digital, even if you have an older analog set. You won’t have to pay for a converter.

Special offers may include:

• free premium movie channels
• additional receivers free of cost
• free upgrade to HD
• free DVRs, including HD DVRs
• free installation

If you want to pay more, you’ll receive sports channels you can’t find anywhere else, and tons of movie, music and entertainment channels. Premier packages from both satellite TV providers offer close to 300 channels, including a broad array of high definition television broadcasts.

Easy Satellite Installation

But what about that dish on your roof? Today’s 18-inch dishes offered by satellite TV providers are designed to fit in nearly any space. With just a bit of guidance, most people can install the satellite dish themselves, but both satellite TV providers frequently offer free installation deals.

When you shop through Allconnect.com, you’ll know you’re getting the best price on satellite TV, because we compare satellite TV prices for you. The deal may very well include free installation of the dish.

All that’s required to install a satellite TV dish is a clear line-of-sight to the sky, with no trees that will obscure the signal within one year. If you live in a heavily wooded area – or simply don’t want a dish on your roof – installers can mount the dish on a steel ground post for an additional fee.

Certified installers are trained to:

• Clean up and dispose of all packing material
• Vacuum any debris created from drilling holes
• Provide you with contact information to reach the installation technician in the event of problems or questions
• Perform an installation walk-through
• Make sure you’re happy and that you indicate so by signing off on the job

Additionally, technicians should spend about 20 minutes educating you on the features of the service, including how to use the remote control and on-screen guide.

Save Money with Bundles from your Satellite TV Provider

If you’ve taken the time to compare satellite TV prices, you know you can save significant money with bundles of TV, phone and Internet service together. Satellite TV providers partner with major telephone companies to offer phone service and high speed Internet—even in areas that can’t get DSL.

Wherever you live, if you have a satellite dish you can get high-speed satellite Internet service. Bundling your high speed Internet and home phone service with your satellite TV can save you significant money. Compare satellite TV service through Allconnect and you’ll know you’re getting the best prices satellite TV providers offer.