Greetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
This beautiful morning, I endeavour to write on a vitally important but readily confusing subject for many technology enthusiasts and satellite hobbyists. A major predicate for this initiative has been the numerous emails I have received about this subject, which I perceive are likely to even increase after this post, but all the same, I deem writing this article better than staying quiet on the matter forever.
Many people want to find out how they can browse for free using their satellite tv decoder at home. Indeed, in one of my most read articles Connecting your satellite decoder to the internet, a lot of readers misunderstood the purpose of the article, taking it to be a lecture on how to browse the internet free with a satellite tv connection. I replied numerous comments and emails in that regard, and yet the email flood doesn’t just seem to abate. Now that I am about clarifying matters about satellite internet, many internet scammers are very much unlikely to be happy, and yet this is for the general good of all who love technology and truth, and being a servant of God, it’s appropriate to expose deception of every kind and the wickedness of selfish characters on the internet using technical ambiguity to live off innocent individuals.
Before I say anything more, I state emphatically here that you cannot use an ordinary tv satellite dish and decoder to get internet connectivity. As a matter of fact, when we talk about satellite internet, we are actually referring to VSAT. Vsat stands for “Very Small Aperture Terminal”, which refers to the technology whereby data is sent and received via an antenna. The antenna size is typically 1.2m diameter for Ku-Band, or 2.4m diameter for C-Band. The difference between the two is the Frequency in which they operate. C-Band systems operate on a lower frequency (3-6 Ghz) and are therefore less affected by rain fade, however due to the size of the hardware they are more costly. Ku Band systems operate on a higher Frequency (12-14 Ghz), and allow for smaller antennas, but depending on the power of the satellite can be affected by bad weather conditions. But for satellite broadband, dish sizes ranging between 1.2m – 3.7m are used, and that’s to say a 60cm or 90cm dish will just not be used in implementing a satellite internet link.
That’s just one part of the treatise. Now, VSAT is deployed mostly in very remote areas where only satellite installations would be the most convenient internet implementation with the lack of fast broadband for fast and secure data transmission. To install a VSAT, you would necessarily need the following :
- A satellite antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data.
- A BUC (Block Up Converter) for transmitting.
- An LNB (Low Noise Down Converter) for receiving.
- Coaxial Cable from the antenna to the indoor modem.
- A satellite Modem capable of receiving and transmitting data such as E-mails etc.
An ordinary satellite tv dish does not have a BUC, only an LNB, which is capable of only receiving datagrams. That is also to say that, your tv dish, being an LNB-only setup, can only receive digital data, but cannot send. Internet however requires both an uplink and a downlink (send and receive), so that’s clear enough. Besides, dedicated satellite modems used for satellite internet links aren’t the normal ADSL modems available on the market. A typical satellite modem looks something like this:
I provide a second image of a connected satellite modem to help you understand that this isn’t the normal modem/router you know.
By now I am sure you are beginning to get an idea what it takes to set up a satellite internet link. Like I mentioned earlier, an LNB cannot transmit data to a transponder on a satellite, it can only receive data streams for onward transmission into the modem for final decoding of the data packet. To be able to transmit data via a satellite dish to a satellite up in the sky and effectively communicate over the internet, you would need a BUC This is always attached to a Ku or C band LNB attached to the dish/ satellite bowl. Small as it may seem to your eyes, this is the transceiver that can actually enable you to transmit whatever data you wish to a satellite up in the sky, and get it forwarded to other networks and nodes. An ordinary satellite tv dish doesn’t use, and just doesn’t support the use of a BUC, and that is why you cannot establish any form of internet connection using your small dish at home to get an internet connection. It is likely you have seen Banks and other corporate organisations using satellite internet with dishes like this :
This is the kind of setup that gives you satellite broadband connectivity, not your DStv, Mytv or MulitTV Ku / C band LNB dishes.
My dear friend, many scammers are out there taking advantage of the lack of adequate information on some of these matters, and duping unsuspecting individuals. I have taken time this morning just to help you understand the processes and hardware configuration involved in getting satellite internet at home or at the office. If inspite of all I have said, you still fall victim to an internet scam about using your tv dish to browse the net for free, that would be most unfortunate. There’s nothing like free browsing with satellite decoders. When you sign up for VSAT, you have to purchase a subscription, and you pay just as you would for fixed or mobile broadband. An eternal mental conditioning and desire to get everything free isn’t the best for a technology enthusiast. So don’t get yourself into any free satellite internet cloud.
I am very happy I have been able to post on this, and may it bring versatile enlightenment to many. Relevant questions and comments are always welcome.
God bless us all.
Prince Kay
Rhema Network Solutions
i have a ultralightdv3 viewsat the only port for a computer is the serial port how can i move on with connecting to the internet. thank-you in the name of jesus for being obedient to the holy spirit
I’m not sure I understand you question. Point is, there are two things, either you want to hook you decoder to the internet as a client, or you want your satellite decoder/modem to serve as Data Communication Equipment(DCE). You need to specify what you want, then I can better help you.
You need to get a gprs dongle. That’s the only way to give some network-life to your decoder
You can also by a Serial to RJ45 converter on eBay.
It won’t work for internet connections. I would have recommended it. If it’s about connecting to LAN enabled devices for data transfer, fine, but for internet, won’t work.
Ok here are some questions regarding this setup. Sorry if they seam silly, not really familiar with this technology.
1-Do I have to purchase a subscription from a carrier in order to access the internet via satellite?
2-Does this satellite type run on a 2.4GHz like those used for TWCable, or do they run on a 5.8GHz frequency?
3-Would the same principles apply to my current TWcable 2.4GHz dish, or no because a BUC is not compatible with these models?
Thanks!
1. Yes you would have to subscribe. Reason I wrote this article was because many internet scammers were deceiving folks around here in West Africa that they could receive internet into their homes using their usual satellite tv dish and decoders. I endeavoured to educate that it was false, because unlike your Time Warner Cable service which combines internet, tv and telephone signals, normal satellite tv decoders cant provide all three services except though the introduction of special satellite modems, BUCs and LNBs
2. Satellite internet can run on any frequency depending on equipment you are using. Remember there are different bands with their corresponding wavelengths. I believe I mentioned this in the article.
3. You are on a fibre cable connection, and that’s different from satellite internet communication. I dont know what you mean by same principles. But what works for satellite internet is provided in the article.
Hope this helps.
3.You dish is already
Since a subscription is needed, I am wondering if a FTA box work?
Only if that FTA box is not customized, but is universal and can be used to track and view pay channels at any position, and if that box can accept the CA smartcards of the network whose channels you’ve set your dish to view..Then you would only have to speak with the tv network company, find out if they provide internet services, and pay for it.
Ok, so then as I understand, free internet then does not come for free, but at a cost. It is paid for via subscription means to a satellite network.
I seriously suggest you read the article again Luis. Here is what I said in the second paragraph
“…Many people want to find out how they can browse for free using their satellite tv decoder at home. Indeed, in one of my most read articles ‘Connecting your satellite decoder to the internet’, a lot of readers misunderstood the purpose of the article, taking it to be a lecture on how to browse the internet free with a satellite tv connection. I replied numerous comments and emails in that regard, and yet the email flood doesn’t just seem to abate. Now that I am about clarifying matters about satellite internet, many internet scammers are very much unlikely to be happy, and yet this is for the general good of all who love technology and truth.. Before I say anything more, I state emphatically here that you cannot use an ordinary tv satellite dish and decoder to get internet connectivity…”
Then I said this in the last paragraph
“….There’s nothing like free browsing with satellite decoders. When you sign up for VSAT, you have to purchase a subscription, and you pay just as you would for fixed or mobile broadband…”
So everything is answered. Just read the article again
Thanks for that information.am just a freelance computer repairer with litle information about internet over digital tv decoders and lots of friend I meet on computer issues ask me how they can get internet over decoders.
Amazing enough ,one day I tampered with one of my friends decoders and I established that he was paying 10000ksh for digital tv and internet from just a normal LNB and netgear
router.I wonder what the basics of that internet/digital tv are.
hi prince,
plz i just want to be so clear, some FTA loius asked about if they can work for internet, i saw one, it is universal and has a software, when installed can view many satellites that carry internet access, thereby giving user free internet, do u fink it’s possible ?????/
Sorry, I don’t understand what you are trying to say. You might want to put the question another way. Thanks
i have strong decoder-srt 4669z. Pls i want more english & sports channels. How do i go about it? I would be grateful if you could educate & advise me on that. Thank you for your time, i really appreciate. Am in ghana.
You track english and sports channels that are receivable in your location. http://lyngsat.com would help you find the satellites, frequencies, symbol rates and footprint of channels you wanna track and view.
Thanx Prince……
I Enjoyed & Understand U…..
Now, i can’t b a Victim to Deceiver’s…..
Thanx & God Bless U Amen…..
God bless you Prince. You are simply a genius. I like your article. Thanks
You’re welcome my brother, God bless
Hi i just read your topic about free satallite internet and that people did misunderstood what you ment
I understand tge whole recieving not sending thing but doesn’t make me able ri download through p2p but not upload?? If the download does not beed to send anything??!
I needed the name and model of the modem that can connect my decoder: strong srt 4950 to the internet.Thank u very much.
Any 3G modem can do that.
http://www.sky2data.com has the solution
1. Please I nid 2talk wit u on fone. Is it possible sir?
2. Can I combine a BUC & an LNB on my ordinary DSTV, MiTV etc ordinary decoder & dish 2get internet access?
3. If possible I would like 2c u on person.
Plz rply.
Tanx & God bless.
The LNA/B/D should be designed for the purpose of of a BUC interface. Secondly I explained that this setup requires a special satellite internet modem from iDirect (sample image provided in article) or Galileo or any known vendor. This modem handles packet communication from dish via lnb,and that means the satellite decoder for tv only comes in as a secondary attachment to the modem apparatus. It is just like satellite broadband via satellite modem, with link relay to your server pc as the core structure, before distribution of connectivity to client nodes. So unless you are a professional networking or communications person, no improvisations will work. Check your email for my skype number.
But can I modify my tv satellite and browse for free if I bought the above mentioned equipments
Yes. If you get the network set up, and purchase valid broadband subscription, you can have internet.
Can I attach the BUC to my regular lnb and 2.4m dish meant for tv viewing to have internet access?.
pls sir where can i get the buc?
Good day, can this work in lebanon ?if yes for what i have to subscribe here ? and does it really have download speed of 4 mg or it depends on the region, thanks for you help
I have a splitter linksys cable modem BEFCMU10 and DSTV dish do i still need a kuband lnb for my internet satellite connection.
En how can i configure the internet coz wen i open the ip for the cable modem in the brower i cannot configure it.
But is shows that it is downstreaming and that it is open.
How can i get free internet from that step forward
Dear Pastor,
I have a complete Gilat system used to internet – LNB + BUC together (big part), dish 1.2m, etc -, but the software to access internet is proprietary and only access one provider site to make login. I’m using Linux and Windows XP in my computer, how I can use the system you’re talking about? Now, I’m using Huawei 3G modem and anthena to conect ISP but I want to use satellite again. Thank you for your answer. God bless you and your ministry.
Like I said in the post, there is no such thing as free satellite internet. It requires a valid subscription, and from what you’re saying, the ISP site is where to purchase that subscription
Like how much do you think the subscription cost
If I want setup the whole stuff how much would this cost to do it for me please reply
Greetings Sir, the question is rather out of the topic. But i would be happy if u would clear the doubt. You see, there is wifi hotspot strong enough and open, but my phn doesn’t have that much range. So, i was thinking if i could use my spare sat dish to amplify my range. I mean if the LNB can receive the sat signals from sats which are far away, then why can’t my phone or pc. And can i communicate with you for any more doubt. Thx
by the way nice blog cool color combinations
how much is the BUC device?
can i use a BUC with strong decoder for sat internet
Nope…The strong decoder isn’t equipped with hardware for such purpose
I am in nepal In remote area ..
Place name surunga , jhapa district , mechi Zone …
Would help me through Video To Setup all Those Works Plz ?
hi there Prince thanks for explaining for free Internet installation, i am John i would like to talk with you private if is possible please.
Thank you dear Pastor, in fact this is as winning soul for Christ, my soul is free, Man of God ,you can share ē of God here, but I need more enlightin on dis coz scammers have polluted my mind. Tnk You
Please,how can use my quality decorder to access internet ,if so what is process