EarthLink gets satellite access off the ground

EarthLink said Wednesday that it will offer high-speed Internet access through Hughes Electronics' DirecPC satellite systems.

Satellite service is another way by which EarthLink users can access the Internet. EarthLink already offers Internet service through digital subscriber line (DSL), cable and wireless connections. Like other Internet service providers such as America Online, MSN and Juno Online Services, EarthLink wants new and existing consumers to access the Internet through as many ways as possible.

"The ultimate vision for EarthLink Broadband is to offer a variety of high-speed options to our members, and our agreement with DirecPC is a big step in that direction," Tom Andrus, vice president of emerging technologies at EarthLink, said in a statement.

ISPs are feeling a demand to offer high-speed broadband access to increasingly Web-hungry consumers. Already, AOL has tested a version of its popular online service that uses DirecPC's satellite signals to access the Internet. Meanwhile, Microsoft plans to sell satellite service from Israeli company Gilat Satellite Networks to customers who sign up for MSN in RadioShack stores.

EarthLink has also been trying to step into the broadband spotlight. The Atlanta-based company has disclosed to federal regulators and the press that it received competitively unfavorable terms when trying to strike a deal to offer its services on Time Warner's cable lines.

As AOL and Time Warner finalize their merger with regulators, the companies are under increased pressure to let competitive ISPs on their broadband network. EarthLink is one ISP that has negotiated with the companies for carriage.

[swansat_kaching]

SWANsat to Turn Earth into Wi-Fi Hotspot

Satellite Internet HAS to REALLY take off.

Imagine a series of at least three geosynchronous orbital satellites providing wireless Internet access to the entire world. Thats exactly what a project called SWANsat or Super-Wide Area Network Satellite plans to do by the year 2011. They intend to be a global broadband Internet service provider that can facilitate up to 600 million connections per satellite. All you need is a handheld mobile device to connect to the system.
Read more: HYPERLINK: <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.gizmocafe.com/blogs/gizmo_waydes_blog/archive/2006/08/21/96546.aspx" target="_newWindow">http://www.gizmocafe.com/blogs/gizmo_waydes_blog/archive/2006/08/21/96546.aspx</a>



IOSTAR, SANDIA LABS, ORBITAL. The pioneers of GPS &#38; Teledesic  together with directors such as 4 Star General Tony McPeak &#38; former secretary of US Air Force (Roche) and former Branch Chief of guided missiles &#38; CEO of Western Digital  are coming together for intriguing development called SWANsat.

The Teledesic Chief Architect (now President of IOSTAR) recently made this presentation:
HYPERLINK "http://csmarts.colorado.edu/presentationpages/34_future_of_space/page_01.htm"