As a retort to the vile and petty lies that we, the benevolent and caring customers of Viasat have endured, I have decided to fight fake news with fact. For next 30 days you will be treated to little known stories and facts that prove Viasat is not a scam.
1: Viasat was the first satellite internet provider to bring us a cool triangle shaped modem.
1: Viasat was the first satellite internet provider to bring us a cool triangle shaped modem.
Stephen Rice, Champion
Posted 2 years ago
Here is the Viasat coverage map for VS-2.
So how come so few people can get VS-2?
Greenland and Nova Scotia good
Coverage does not equate to where the high density spot beams are. That is where the difference is.
Polar bears and Eskimos should have excellent service.
Looks like the Canadian government and military is benefiting from new service with Viasat 2. Wow, that really makes me look forward to improvements in my service.
Yes. Plus some other Spacenews.
Stephen Rice, Champion
2: Viasat has an awesome web forum where Deku can talk about anime.
Awesome web forum? Are you kidding? The old Wildblueworld forum was much better and easier to navigate.
The wildblue forum was rumored to be shuttered due to members using PM's to pad the "likes" and putting the Mods on ignore list.
I don't know about putting mods on ignore, but I definitely put some posters on that list!
There is a few on here I would definitely do the same to!
There is a few on here I would definitely do the same to!
I hope Stephen Rice doesn't have "Viasat customer care has really great 'music on hold' to listen to for a few hours while waiting for an agent to answer" on his list.
Viasat needs to revamp this forum with a new UI and bring back the PM function.
Alex, Viasat Corporate Communications
We shut down the old WB forum because it was silly to have more than one. That said, we know this one isn't the greatest -- look forward to some changes coming soon to improve it.
Looking forward to it!
Awesome news Alex!
Awesome news Alex!
Stephen Rice, Champion
Stephen Rice, Champion
4: The Viasat modem makes a nice hand warmer during the winter months.
GabeU, Champion
That's important for us northern people.
Brad, Viasat Employee
won't confirm nor deny that the new modem is filled with delicious swiss chocolate (running forum joke....don't take your VS2 modem apart)
There is a reason it has a fan! Chocolate melts when it gets too warm.
Bev, Champion
Have we now invented chocolate wave guide technology? What kind of cooling system does that need to work in the warmer months and, how do you keep it from blooming in the winter?
Blackberry moonshine is the cooling liquid. That I know!
Bev, Champion
Well, yes, how else was I supposed to make this little farm of mine lucrative? I had to find something the tech industry needed - couldn't find it so, we just invented the new system. Tanks for the help on that Veteran - you're royalties check will be mailed just as soon as I receive a payment. :P
GabeU, Champion
Let's not forget the little bits of crunchy nougat!
Well I am sure you can find other things to grow on that farm that consumers are demanding Bev :)
Watch the series Ozark on Netflix. Excellent series. And will remind you of your area too.... and it features a "farmer".
Bev, Champion
I know, it does remind me of here.The Missouri Ozarks are just a 7 hour drive north for me. No "Farmers" around here but a few slightly crooked retired politicians that will try to sell you railroad land if you don't know any better LOL.
My modem doesn't get that warm, which is a good thing.
My modem doesn't get that warm, which is a good thing.
Stephen Rice, Champion
5: With Viasat, you don’t have to worry about rates changing all the time. Viasat offers a price lock guarantee for three years.
price stays the same but the glass will be half empty or maybe half full
Just don't ever change your plan or try to use the vacation suspend mode/plan, the you lose that price lock!
Very good point!
Some of Stephen's points here could construed as "fake news" :).
Some of Stephen's points here could construed as "fake news" :).
They also offer a slow service during peak time guarantee!
Stephen Rice, Champion
Stephen Rice, Champion
7: Viasat delivers the fastest in-flight internet while you soar the skys at 35,000 feet in the air.
That's because it's closer to the satellite with no trees to worry about.
Or weather!
And the slowest for those of us on the ground paying.
Don't forget the most important "fact" of all, Viasat offers ubiquitously "affordable high speed internet"; well, "affordable" if you can afford it and well, "high speed" when it's high speed.
Affordable is very accurate.
GabeU, Champion
Only $6.70 per GB. What a bargain! SMH.
And do you claim to be a real, flesh and blood, heart-beating human? If so, why then would you attempt to define affordability as it might pertain to the devil's offerings?
Being a tool has to hurt.
Being a tool has to hurt.
Tres Bien,
Are you suggesting that there are fake people commenting on this forum?
That could be. Of the more than 500,000 residential customers, less than 15 people continually dominate this forum. Most are extremely defensive of any criticism of Viasat. That is a strange statistic.
One particular jerk, who calls himself a Champion, seems to delight in antagonizing people who have legitimate problems. He thinks that he can disrupt the flow of criticism by creating scapegoats.
Stephen Rice, Champion
8: Viasat community members are the most well informed bunch in any internet circle. We get our internet news from the most reliable and respected source: https://community.viasat.com
Stephen Rice, Champion
9: It is cheaper to get internet from Viasat than to pay a cable company tens of thousands of dollars to run a line to your home.
9.5: Or to sell your house and move.
Stephen Rice, Champion
10: Viasat makes it possible to have home phone service in areas where traditional phone service is not available.
Yes, this is a bonus, and, if a person uses the ViaSat Voice the data used for the phone doesn't count against a person's usage. I have it and it works quite well.... always.
I am glad it works for you. It is also overpriced and the fact the data doesn't count...well the amount of data VOIP uses is minimal.
But it works for you and you don't have a problem overpaying for something you could get cheaper. More power to you. It is your money to spend on how you see fit!
As a retailer, I quit selling Voice many, many months ago. It is a bug in search of a windshield and I don't care to be the wiper blade anymore.
Andy
Andy
Stephen Rice, Champion
11. Viasat customer care can help you determine how your data is being used by doing a data usage review. Customer care can be reached by sending an email to Viasatlistens@viasat.com.
Viasatlistens reaches out to Viasat’s Corporate Social Care team that serves a much different function than the Customer Care team, but customer care can also provide that usage breakdown at last check (NRTC support could also at one time) - indeed even a retailer like Andy can.
(Edited)
As a retailer, I can see usage by category in pie chart form which is useful. The daily usage bar graph we have access to however is utterly useless as it has no numerical values, just bars and lines. The question I always ask when at a meeting is "how many gigs are in a line?". Never got an answer.
The REAL answer is to have a tool that allows any Viasat customer, no matter which sat they are on or what modem they have, to see a FULL breakdown of usage.....content, daily usage, per device usage, etc. This would dramatically reduce Customer Care calls. Not to mention calls to my store.
Speaking of which, while I appreciate those of you who have sought my business out in an effort to get help or answers, please understand that we can ONLY devote time to OUR customers. We are NOT paid by Viasat.....I only make money if I am selling and installing a system and I can't do that if I am playing Customer Care agent and tying up my phone line.
Andy
The REAL answer is to have a tool that allows any Viasat customer, no matter which sat they are on or what modem they have, to see a FULL breakdown of usage.....content, daily usage, per device usage, etc. This would dramatically reduce Customer Care calls. Not to mention calls to my store.
Speaking of which, while I appreciate those of you who have sought my business out in an effort to get help or answers, please understand that we can ONLY devote time to OUR customers. We are NOT paid by Viasat.....I only make money if I am selling and installing a system and I can't do that if I am playing Customer Care agent and tying up my phone line.
Andy
Well if it helps and since you really need to know the area not length - 1 GB requires about 6.88 square millimeters and weighs about 729 femtograms ;)
https://superuser.com/questions/11423/how-much-does-a-gigabyte-worth-of-data-physically-weigh-on-a-h...
Length would depend on the diameter of the line ;)
https://superuser.com/questions/11423/how-much-does-a-gigabyte-worth-of-data-physically-weigh-on-a-h...
Length would depend on the diameter of the line ;)
(Edited)
I have the how data is used tool on my Verizon account. In general, I find the tool completely useless. I am sure Viasat's is no better. And I am okay with that as privacy issues come into play.
@Old Labs AHAHAHAHAHA!!! i just legit laughed at one of the comments there XD also... i dont know much of what micrograms are... but... yeah... BUT!!! one of the comments made there it cracked me up laughing my butt off XD ill show ya what comment :3 cause... i circled it into red :3 so yall guys can find it :3 HERE I GOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! :3
the one comment circled in red... MADE ME LAUGH MY BUTT OFF!!! XD ROTFL XD
the one comment circled in red... MADE ME LAUGH MY BUTT OFF!!! XD ROTFL XD
Stephen Rice, Champion
12: Viasat provides high speed internet to Air Force One.
Wished POTUS got my blazing speeds. Then we’d see Congress act swiftly.
Tweets don't require that much bandwidth.
Stephen Rice, Champion
13: Viasat 1 was designed to be capable of providing 100 Gbps total throughput. Because of amazing work done by Viasat engineers, the same hardware now delivers 140 Gbps thoughput to Viasat customers.
Conversely, Viasat-2 was designed to be capable of 300Gbps and the new amazing technology is now supposedly delivering 260Gbps - offsetting that 40Gbps gain. Coincidence? I think not... and ancient astronaut theorists agree.
17 more days...
17 more days...
(Edited)
GabeU, Champion
17 more days? For?
See title... 17 more days of heartwarming facts (or is that heartburning facts in this case).
Yea. I don't get it. But like the Liberty Plan, whatever makes him happy :).
He's bucking for restoration of Champion status ;)
I never thought he should have lost it for what he did to begin with - he isn't what some accused him of being; some were offended by his posting a well know satirical video/documentary mocking some stereotypes as well as the Ken Burns style of documentaries - I'd venture a guess many of those offended simply couldn't get past the video's title and didn't watch it. The title was a reference to an episode of one of Burns' documentaries. We live in sensitive times... it may have been poorly timed or simply poor taste for this venue, but it wasn't deserving of the card that was played against him IMHO.
I never thought he should have lost it for what he did to begin with - he isn't what some accused him of being; some were offended by his posting a well know satirical video/documentary mocking some stereotypes as well as the Ken Burns style of documentaries - I'd venture a guess many of those offended simply couldn't get past the video's title and didn't watch it. The title was a reference to an episode of one of Burns' documentaries. We live in sensitive times... it may have been poorly timed or simply poor taste for this venue, but it wasn't deserving of the card that was played against him IMHO.
(Edited)
GabeU, Champion
Ah. Yeah. I missed the title connection. DERP!!! It's been a long day.
Bev, Champion
I agree Old Labs but, I suppose you have to understand southern humor to see that it was simply in fun, not a racist or prejudiced thing. We poke fun at ourselves down here.
Those easily offended folks wouldn't like the nicknames we southern folk might give them. "Mooch, Biscuit Head, Cracker, Goofy." Or a bit less clean if it fits.
Around home, I'm "The Cooker." There is a story behind that nick name - Daughter in law asked my husband if she could borrow our cooker for a brisket. He said yes, thinking she meant my big electric roaster. Half an hour later, Daughter in law shows up with the brisket for me to cook for her. I was the cooker she wanted to borrow. LOL.
Those easily offended folks wouldn't like the nicknames we southern folk might give them. "Mooch, Biscuit Head, Cracker, Goofy." Or a bit less clean if it fits.
Around home, I'm "The Cooker." There is a story behind that nick name - Daughter in law asked my husband if she could borrow our cooker for a brisket. He said yes, thinking she meant my big electric roaster. Half an hour later, Daughter in law shows up with the brisket for me to cook for her. I was the cooker she wanted to borrow. LOL.
Got'cha beat Bev....or I should say my Wife does. She's got cousins named PeeWee and another one named Cricket, and another one named Boogie.
Andy
Andy
Got'cha beat Bev....or I should say my Wife does. She's got cousins named PeeWee and another one named Cricket, and another one named Boogie.
Andy
Andy
Hearing the word cooker makes me think of other things. Are you sure you want to admit to that name :)
Bev, Champion
We used to have a PeeWee out here but, he passed away 3 years ago. Of course we have a Junior and a Hippy Goat Lady, but doesn't every backwoods and backwater community down here? LOL
LOl Vetran, that's why I explained it and, always do when I tell it. Just food, not that other stuff.
LOl Vetran, that's why I explained it and, always do when I tell it. Just food, not that other stuff.
One never knows on what all is growing on (and going on) that farm patch of yours!
Stephen Rice, Champion
14: Viasat allows customers to come here and criticize their service, whether the complaint is valid or not.
It’s an interesting proposition. Most big businesses will have some type of forum. I suppose they feel it’s better to create one that can be controlled rather than someone else (usually a disgruntled customer) creating a site that catches on with customers.
Forums do tend to be the top hits when people research. I will say, in my experience, ViaSat seems comfortable letting this one run. Most forums are heavily moderated. I don’t use profanity or generally do anything that breaks forum rules, and I’ve been moderated many times on other forums. I just try to speak the truth as I see it. Kudos to ViaSat on this forum.
Forums do tend to be the top hits when people research. I will say, in my experience, ViaSat seems comfortable letting this one run. Most forums are heavily moderated. I don’t use profanity or generally do anything that breaks forum rules, and I’ve been moderated many times on other forums. I just try to speak the truth as I see it. Kudos to ViaSat on this forum.
Stephen Rice, Champion
15: Easycare offers an extra level of support for your Viasat service at a low monthly price of $5.99. It includes free service calls and more.
* - subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the EasyCare Plan addendum found in the customer agreement at:
https://www.exede.com/documents/master/customer-agreement.pdf
There's always an asterisk... ;)
The "sole discretion" gives me some pause for concern implying it's subject to someone's interpretation.
https://www.exede.com/documents/master/customer-agreement.pdf
There's always an asterisk... ;)
The "sole discretion" gives me some pause for concern implying it's subject to someone's interpretation.
(Edited)
Easy care actually IS a really good deal. It even offers a free dish relocate if needed. I've done several of these for customers.
Andy
Andy
Not saying it's a bad deal. Just saying too many disclaimers for me in that addendum that could render it useless like many service contracts. Viasat may take a harder stance than they currently do at some point in the future - read it, pay your money, take your chances like any "as is" agreement.
(Edited)
I should add that the ONLY criticism I've heard from customers about Easy Care is that it doesn't cover customer devices. You'd be amazed at how many customers think that since I put in their internet, I should head right out to their house each and every time one of their devices isn't working properly.
Here's a little educational moment explaining when a Truck Roll WON'T happen: Viasat Customer Care and any retailer worth his salt can pull up a customer's modem in eSVT and look at the "health" of the connection. If everything is in GREEN, then that means the problem is on the customer's end and NOT with the Viasat equipment. In the past I have had the rare occasion where I got a svc call and everything was in green....this is how I handle it. I drive out to the customer's house and show that I can surf via wired and wireless connection with my laptop. When the customer start pointing to their laptop and claims that they can't get on I suggest that they contact the company they bought their laptop from. Now I can imagine some reading this will immediately think "Hey Andy, couldn't you spend a few minutes seeing if you could fitheir laptop?". I used to.....experience has taught me not to anymore. Once you touch that laptop, you OWN it.
Andy
Here's a little educational moment explaining when a Truck Roll WON'T happen: Viasat Customer Care and any retailer worth his salt can pull up a customer's modem in eSVT and look at the "health" of the connection. If everything is in GREEN, then that means the problem is on the customer's end and NOT with the Viasat equipment. In the past I have had the rare occasion where I got a svc call and everything was in green....this is how I handle it. I drive out to the customer's house and show that I can surf via wired and wireless connection with my laptop. When the customer start pointing to their laptop and claims that they can't get on I suggest that they contact the company they bought their laptop from. Now I can imagine some reading this will immediately think "Hey Andy, couldn't you spend a few minutes seeing if you could fitheir laptop?". I used to.....experience has taught me not to anymore. Once you touch that laptop, you OWN it.
Andy
Old Labs, you posted while I was typing so I missed it.
Honestly, I haven't had a single instance where Viasat tried to "wiggle out" of honoring Easy Care. It even covers lightning strikes.
Andy
Honestly, I haven't had a single instance where Viasat tried to "wiggle out" of honoring Easy Care. It even covers lightning strikes.
Andy
Andy,
What do DirecTV or Dish do in similar circumstances?
Do they lease the equipment to the customer and maintain ownership?
Do they charge a service fee to correct problems that the customer did not cause?
What do DirecTV or Dish do in similar circumstances?
Do they lease the equipment to the customer and maintain ownership?
Do they charge a service fee to correct problems that the customer did not cause?
That's the "sole discretion" part Andy when a truck roll won't occur. The addendum describes what is covered and not covered. Fine print matters and it's an "as is" agreement - with regime change or when the spit hits the fan interpretation can change. If it covers lightning strikes then there's no real need for an act of God clause in the overall agreement - and some might argue that everything is an act of God including some nitwit script reader in Tier 1 phone support ;)
I'd quote my laptop and local networking repair rates ;)
I'd quote my laptop and local networking repair rates ;)
(Edited)
Andy,
This may sound condescending but it is not meant to be.
How come you have so much time to be on this forum?
I thought you have a company that sells and installs Viasat, DirecTV and Dish.
Is that business slowing up?
This may sound condescending but it is not meant to be.
How come you have so much time to be on this forum?
I thought you have a company that sells and installs Viasat, DirecTV and Dish.
Is that business slowing up?
Bev, Champion
DirecTv wants receivers returned and, they do charge for service calls unless you pay monthly for the protection plan, then no charge for service calls. 1 re-align dish per year, charged for damaged equipment - ie tree falls on dish, you pay for new dish and LNB head. degraded cable is covered, as is receiver failure since those are returned to DTV.
No problem Ivan. I visit this and a couple other boards in the morning while I am drinking my coffee, like I am now and I try to take a look through the day when I drop by the store to load up for the next job and then when I get home I take a look while the Family watches Blue Bloods. As for how good or bad business is: My Dish and DTV sales are about normal, Viasat sales are in the toilet....people call the store and we tell them the rates and their FIRST question after an awkward silence is "that comes with TV too....right?"
Dish and DTV both retain ownership BUT you have to pay monthly for their svc plan....Dish's START at 8.99/mon. and if you don't have it then you are charged about $50 per piece of equipment that has to be swapped out on TOP of a $95 svc call fee. Trust me, Easy Care is the best deal out there in satellite land.
Andy
Dish and DTV both retain ownership BUT you have to pay monthly for their svc plan....Dish's START at 8.99/mon. and if you don't have it then you are charged about $50 per piece of equipment that has to be swapped out on TOP of a $95 svc call fee. Trust me, Easy Care is the best deal out there in satellite land.
Andy
Nope. Not even close. The NRTC offers the best plan in satellite land. My lease fee includes maintenance. And my lease fee isnt much more than Viasat's.
Don't these post make you feel all warm and fuzzy? Oh wait, that's just my hemorrhoids flaring up...
FWIW, NRTC mileage may vary - each individual member organization has some flexibility on how they handle things. Mine charges for installation, 90 day warranty on the install, no lease fee and after the 90 days it's pretty much all on the subscriber but generally no charge for equipment replacement unless you took a sledgehammer to it. No extended service plan option available. No two year commit on my install either some 7-8 years ago - although equipment remains theirs.
Don't these post make you feel all warm and fuzzy? Oh wait, that's just my hemorrhoids flaring up...What's in your Kiester? Wait, I think that's Capital One...
"If I can get comfortable talking about Kiester than you can get comfortable using Preparation H.”
(Edited)
“The best answer will come from the person who is not angry.”
Arabic proverb
“The smarter you are, the less you speak.”
Arabic proverb
Yea Old Labs. I had different options than you. I could have paid up front and not had a lease fee, but it didn't include the maintenance plan. So I opted for the lease fee which includes maintenance and a free install.
(Edited)
Stephen Rice, Champion
16: Viasat has the fastest residential satellite internet of any other carrier in North America with speeds up to 100 mbps.
And the 34 people who can get this speed are quite happy.
The other 500,000+ people not so much.
GabeU, Champion
ROFLMAO!!!! That's one of the best replies I've read in a long time.
(Edited)
Stephen Rice, Champion
17: Viasat internet access makes a great Fathers Day present.
My father just disowned me... he'd have preferred a tie or selection of Hickory Farms cheeses.
LOL. Great retort.
Andy
Andy
And then there are some whose father is also their uncle.
Brad, Viasat Employee
Labs, Cargo shorts would have been good as well. With all the cargo storage on the go he could have stored a lot of cheese
Stephen Rice, Champion
Stephen Rice, Champion
Who are you and what have you done with Steven???
Steve Frederick-VS1/Beam314, Champion
I am alive and well, enjoying all the hype this forum has contained lately.
Steven, Stephen. Tomato, Tomoto...
(Edited)
Stephen Rice, Champion
20: Viasat technology was a vital tool used to provide emergency communications in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina.
(Edited)
Now THIS is actually a good function of satellite internet in disaster areas where communication is knocked out.
Not sure if they market this, but I would think a lot of emergency management departments across the country would have a backup system like this ready to go. Government has money to spend.
Not sure if they market this, but I would think a lot of emergency management departments across the country would have a backup system like this ready to go. Government has money to spend.
Could you clarify your meaning of "vital tool" for us?
Was that anything like "one giant leap for mankind" or perhaps, more like, "I'm A Big Boy Now"?
I have heard that the amateur short wave operators provided a notable amount of emergency communication during Katrina, but I could be mistaken.
Was that anything like "one giant leap for mankind" or perhaps, more like, "I'm A Big Boy Now"?
I have heard that the amateur short wave operators provided a notable amount of emergency communication during Katrina, but I could be mistaken.
Yeah. I was just a bit curious about Internet access of any kind in the aftermath of a major hurricane when primary electrical power is but a fading memory.
Hook up a generator, a few computers networked, and people can send emails and video chat to let loved ones know they are safe. Just one example.
Remember the chaos after 9/11 when the cell service broke down and people didnt know for hours or days of loved ones survived.
Remember the chaos after 9/11 when the cell service broke down and people didnt know for hours or days of loved ones survived.
During Katrina and Rita (2005), Viasat teamed with Qualcomm to provide hybrid cellular/satellite emergency communications - not their satellite service at the time, but rather the equipment and technology (so yes a vital tool in establishing that communication link as Stephen stated).
Caution 8.1 MB link follows, burn data at oyur own risk:
https://transition.fcc.gov/pshs/docs/advisory/hkip/public-comments/ACT3052.pdf
Caution 8.1 MB link follows, burn data at oyur own risk:
https://transition.fcc.gov/pshs/docs/advisory/hkip/public-comments/ACT3052.pdf
(Edited)
Right! Now, we have how many or what percentage of the people taken care of?
I've been in a couple of week-to-two-week situations with power down. I can testify to the notion that very few people are in possession of a generator. [There just are not many of us with a 15kw Onan hard wired with autostart connected to a 1000 gal propane tank, I fear.] Now add to the dearth of generators the likelihood that many of the existing ones will be under water or otherwise unavailable or inoperable after a major hurricane and satellite internet access starts looking real whimsical, I'ld offer. The "hook up a generator" meme is a heart warming scenario but it doesn't play well in the real world, I suspect.
I've been in a couple of week-to-two-week situations with power down. I can testify to the notion that very few people are in possession of a generator. [There just are not many of us with a 15kw Onan hard wired with autostart connected to a 1000 gal propane tank, I fear.] Now add to the dearth of generators the likelihood that many of the existing ones will be under water or otherwise unavailable or inoperable after a major hurricane and satellite internet access starts looking real whimsical, I'ld offer. The "hook up a generator" meme is a heart warming scenario but it doesn't play well in the real world, I suspect.
We are talking about emergency shelters which would be powered in some way. If the power, phone, and internet is cut off, satellite internet would establish a connection to the outside world.
Incindently, and this won't surprise old labs one bit, I have my generator. Nothing fancy, but enough to keep heat and water going when needed. And of course battery backup for my medical devices too. Redundancy. Lol.
Incindently, and this won't surprise old labs one bit, I have my generator. Nothing fancy, but enough to keep heat and water going when needed. And of course battery backup for my medical devices too. Redundancy. Lol.
GabeU, Champion
Hook up a generator, a few computers networked, and people can send emails and video chat to let loved ones know they are safe. Just one example.Yep. My ISP did similar in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Maybe ViaSat, too. That's one area where satellite internet really shines. It can be set up quickly and provide that access much more easily than any other type.
"hybrid cellular/satellite" - Now, that's an interesting notion [ain't opening no links from hereabouts - this place ain't safe in my book]. If the towas is up then what you need a satellite fo'?
Now, one can believe or one can disbelieve or one can be uncommitted. On this one I'll go with uncommitted, but it definitely has an odor about it.
Nice talking with y'all but I have a story to write. All done on this one.
Now, one can believe or one can disbelieve or one can be uncommitted. On this one I'll go with uncommitted, but it definitely has an odor about it.
Nice talking with y'all but I have a story to write. All done on this one.
Read the link - it's from the FCC not that they're trustworthy - but it's safe.
It was all quick deploy portable and temporary. The towas weren't up they were down - it was targeting FEMA, Military, State and Local Government emergency communications not the general public.
But here's a preview:
Stephen never claimed it was so folks could keep up with Facebook.
It was all quick deploy portable and temporary. The towas weren't up they were down - it was targeting FEMA, Military, State and Local Government emergency communications not the general public.
But here's a preview:
Stephen never claimed it was so folks could keep up with Facebook.
Towers blown down. Generators out of gas. Generators fail.
When I travel out west in remote country, I carry a sat phone. As long as the satellite is still in space, I know I can get an emergency call through. With cellular, no towers in a lot of areas in remote locations.
Now, if I am in a cave, that is a different story:).
When I travel out west in remote country, I carry a sat phone. As long as the satellite is still in space, I know I can get an emergency call through. With cellular, no towers in a lot of areas in remote locations.
Now, if I am in a cave, that is a different story:).
Yes, for emergency management. But it could also be deployed in shelters for emergency workers and survivors to stay in touch. The military does that too. Viasat-3 anyone?
I'm only addressing Tres Bien's skepticism ;)
Of course but in this case it was for primarily emergency communications between the various agencies involved in the Katrina and Rita recoveries - although undoubtedly some called home. This was probably a military bird to begin with in 2005.
Today and as noted it's evolved for public use:
https://www.exede.com/blog/5-ways-viasat-provides-assistance-disaster-strikes/
Of course but in this case it was for primarily emergency communications between the various agencies involved in the Katrina and Rita recoveries - although undoubtedly some called home. This was probably a military bird to begin with in 2005.
Today and as noted it's evolved for public use:
https://www.exede.com/blog/5-ways-viasat-provides-assistance-disaster-strikes/
(Edited)
Oh I know you were.
I think government emergency response teams, Red Cross, forest firefighters etc. would be interested in a Viasat team that could deploy at a moments notice. Sort of like a subscription service. Then go out in the field accordingly.
I think government emergency response teams, Red Cross, forest firefighters etc. would be interested in a Viasat team that could deploy at a moments notice. Sort of like a subscription service. Then go out in the field accordingly.