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FAQ
C-COM Satellite Systems' Mobile Internet & Fixed Satellite Internet
Click the question of interest to display the answer. If you can't locate your question or a satisfactory answer on this page, please contact us.
What is iNetVu®?
How does it work?
How fast is it?
What are the uplink and downlink speeds I can get?
Is a Satellite-based Internet connection reliable?
Where does it work?
Which service providers can I use iNetVu® with?
What satellite modems can I use with iNetVu®?
What sized dishes do you offer with the iNetVu® Mobile System?
What are the differences between coverage available between the various dish sizes?
How does the iNetVu® Mobile System compare to other mobile products?
What kind of weather conditions is iNetVu® built for?
What frequency band does the iNetVu® Mobile System use?
What kind of Mobile Applications is iNetVu® best suited for?
What comes with the iNetVu® Mobile System?
Why is 2-way high speed satellite Internet more expensive than cable or DSL?
Can I be online and moving at the same time?
Is it easy to re-connect to a satellite once I've changed my location?
Can I watch satellite TV and surf the Internet at the same time?
Is the iNetVu® Mobile System easy to install?
Can I install the iNetVu® by myself?
Does it work with a VPN?
Do I still need a dial-up connection and telephone line?
Can I run iNetVu® on a small network?
Does weather strongly influence my service?
What is iNetVu® Navigator?
What are the minimum PC requirements?
What kind of warranty package is offered with the iNetVu® Mobile System?
How much are your warranty packages?
OK, I'm sold. How much does the whole thing cost?
Who do I contact for iNetVu® support issues?
What is iNetVu®?
iNetVu® is a revolutionary 2-way high speed Mobile Satellite Internet System for people on the move that need to communicate. It combines a fully automated mobile antenna mount, controller and software designed to work with many of the leading satellite-based Internet service providers.
How does it work?
The iNetVu® Mobile System mounts easily on top of vehicles (RVs, SUVs, vans, or any other commercial vehicle) or a transportable platform. With the simple click of a button, automatically deploys, locks onto the selected satellite, and interfaces with the modem to enable 2-way high-speed broadband Internet service.
How fast is it?
The iNetVu® brings you satellite connection in an average time of 3 minutes. Depending on the service provider, starting from a stowed position to getting online can range from about 3 to 8 minutes.
What are the uplink and downlink speeds I can get?
Depending on the service plan you are subscribed to, speeds can go up to 1Mbps uplink and 35Mbps downlink.
Is a Satellite-based Internet connection reliable?
Satellite-based Internet connection is very reliable. It uses high encryption standards to protect the transmission from being compromised.
Where does it work?
With iNetVu®, you gain unprecedented coverage throughout the Americas, Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Australia. As long as you have a clear line of sight to the desired satellite and service coverage in your area, you can have access virtually anywhere.
Which service providers can I use iNetVu® with?
The iNetVu® Mobile System works with many of the world's leading satellite-based ISP like iDirect, ViaSat, Hughes HughesNet, EMS, Gilat-based systems such as StarBand, SpaceNet, Connexstar, and Satlynx, and with more to come...
What satellite modems can I use with iNetVu®?
The iNetVu® Mobile System has been adapted to communicate with the following modems:
- HughesNet 4000 / 4020 / 6000
- Gilat 360 / 360E / 360E+ / SkyStar 360E / SkyEdge 540 / SkyEdge 360E
- iDirect NetModem II / II Plus
- StarBand 360 / 480 / 481 / 484
- ViaSat LinkStar
- EMS SIT Series 2000 / 3000
- TechniSat SkyStar 2 TV PCI / USB
- ComTech CDM-600L
- Tachyon CI-1300
What sized dishes do you offer with the iNetVu® Mobile System?
The iNetVu® 1200 Antenna is a circular 1.2m two-way Ku-Band satellite dish mounted over an arm that supports the antenna, Radio Transmitter and Low Noise Block (LNB). The iNetVu® 1800 is a circular 1.8m two-way Ku-Band satellite dish mounted over an arm that supports the antenna, Radio Transmitter and Low Noise Block (LNB).
The iNetVu® 980, 750, 740 Antennae are elliptical 0.98m, 0.75m, 0.74m (respectively) two-way Ku-Band satellite dishes mounted over an arm that supports the antenna plus the Radio Transmitter and also the Low Noise Block (LNB).
What are the differences between coverage available between the various dish sizes?
Due to the location of the satellite in space, the central areas of each satellite's coverage "footprint" require a smaller dish since they are closer to the satellite. The outer areas require a larger dish since a longer reach is needed to relay to and from the satellite.
How does the iNetVu® Mobile System compare to other mobile products?
Distinguishing features of the iNetVu® Mobile System are:
- iNetVu® Mobile Software enables a satellite acquisition lock at an average time of 3 minutes or less, as opposed to a competitive average of 8 to 10 minutes.
- All electronic components are housed inside the vehicle and therefore prevents any water or snow from interfering with functionality
- Use of a linear actuator allows the antenna to locate the desired satellite quickly and accurately
- Communicates directly with modem to provide GPS coordinates, enables/disables transmitter and checks modem status
What kind of weather conditions is iNetVu® built for?
iNetVu® is a robust and reliable system which has an operational environment tolerance of -30°c to 55°c (-22°F to 130°F) and up to 75km/h (45mph).
What frequency band does the iNetVu® Mobile System use?
iNetVu® uses the Ku-band frequency range of 10.95 to 12.75 GHz for signal reception and 13.75 to 14.5 GHz for signal transmission.
What kind of Mobile Applications is iNetVu® best suited for?
A wide variety of industries have a need for broadband mobile connectivity:
- Government agencies
- Military field sites, homeland security and police units
- Emergency response units
- Disaster recovery operations
- Mobile medical units
- News/Media events
- Film Production sites
- Construction sites
- Mining and Forestry operations
- Oil & Gas Exploration Ventures
- SCADA operations
- Temporary field offices
- Rural fire fighting teams
- Insurance Companies
- Homeland Security
What comes with the iNetVu® Mobile System?
The iNetVu® Mobile System ships in various configurations depending on what the customer needs. The basic system consists of the iNetVu® Mobile Platform with the appropriate size reflector, feed arm and feedhorn, the iNetVu® Controller and software, power supply and cables. C-COM Satellite Systems can also provide the specific IDU/ODU required (service dependent) fully configured with our mobile solution.
Why is 2-way high speed satellite Internet more expensive than cable or DSL?
This is in part due to the fact that a satellite is much more expensive than a local cable of DSL hub. In addition, there are only a few dozen satellites that offer 2-way high speed Internet, as oppose to tens or hundreds of cable or DSL hubs in each city served by cable or DSL.
Can I be online and moving at the same time?
No, you must be stationary for the iNetVu® Mobile System to function. In-motion 2-way service has not yet been approved at this time.
Is it easy to re-connect to a satellite once I've changed my location?
Once you've become stationary, it's only a matter of powering your PC, the iNetVu® Controller, and starting the iNetVu® Mobile Software to get you back online.
Can I watch satellite TV and surf the Internet at the same time?
Yes. The iNetVu® 0.74m and 0.75m antenna have been used for satellite TV reception concurrently with Internet access. Airtime must be purchased through your Satellite TV provider.
Is the iNetVu® Mobile System easy to install?
This is typically based on your location and the availability of an installer, but the average time to have it fully installed and up and running is about half a day.
Can I install the iNetVu® by myself?
No. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that only trained professionals install any 2-way satellite system.
Does it work with a VPN?
Yes, it does. Although in order to maintain a reasonable speed using VPN, it is preferable to have a moderately high-speed uplink to start, as VPN usage requires more bandwidth than standard browsing.
Do I still need a dial-up connection and telephone line?
No. All of the modems we service require activation (commissioning), but is typically done by the service provider, or can be accomplished via satellite.
Can I run iNetVu® on a small network?
Yes, you can. Users can either share iNetVu® access in a wire-line or wireless LAN environment, providing you choose a service offering sufficient bandwidth to support this type of an application.
Does weather strongly influence my service?
Typically, any Ku-band signal can be affected by heavy rain, snow and strong winds.
What is iNetVu® Navigator?
iNetVu® Navigator is a software-based travel planning system designed for people on the move. It's integrated with Microsoft MapPoint 2002 software application. It uses the iNetVu® Mobile system's built-in Global Positioning System (GPS) and requires no additional hardware or wiring.
It provides you with the ability to track and display your precise location on its map - even if the iNetVu® dish is in use during an Internet session. It even works when the dish is stowed and you're moving along the highway.
Because iNetVu® Navigator can show you in any instant where you are, planning a stop for fuel, food or even a local attraction becomes easy.
What are the minimum PC requirements?
- Intel® Pentium™ II 400 or higher.
- Microsoft Windows™ 98 SE, Windows™ ME, Windows™ 2000, Windows™ XP or later. RAM: 64MB minimum for Microsoft Windows 98 SE and Windows ME, 128 MB for Windows 2000 or Windows XP (other programs running simultaneously may require additional memory).
- 120MB free hard disk space minimum (530MB minimum for iNetVu® Navigator 1.2GB free hard disk space for full installation).
- CD ROM drive.
- An available USB or serial port for iNetVu® 5000 Controller.
- Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher monitor with 256 or more colors.
- Microsoft™ Mouse or compatible pointing device.
What kind of warranty package is offered with the iNetVu® Mobile System?
We offer a standard 24-month return to depot warranty, but extended warranties are also available. Please contact our sales department to get additional information on these options at sales@c-comsat.com.
How much are your warranty packages?
The warranty packages are platform size dependent. Please contact our sales department for a specific quote. You can reach us at sales@c-comsat.com.
OK, I'm sold. How much does the whole thing cost?
Contact C-COM Satellite Systems to locate your nearest dealer!
Who do I contact for iNetVu® support issues?
24/7, Answering Service
Toll-free: 1-800-233-0218 (North America)
1-613-656-3723
Email: support@c-comsat.com
www.c-comsat.com