Satellite communication services: A high speed internet solution for Malaysia’s rural areas

By Sharil Dewa

Satellite communication services are of use in rural locations in Malaysia, where normal means of getting internet access are not – or not sufficiently – available.

The most popular satellite service in Malaysia is a broadband two-way satellite transfers system called Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) which provides very good quality access to the internet in even the least accessible areas. It not only provides internet connection but also a variety of other additional services and is an ideal solution especially for rural businesses to start personal communication or local networking in remote areas.

Satellite internet has got some obvious benefits compared to other services that might be available even in rural areas, such as a dial up connection through a phone line.

Firstly, there is the speed of a satellite connection. When compared to dial up services, the satellite speed is up to ten times faster when it comes to downloading. This means that those who need to go online for business or just to surf will get things done quite a bit faster. In comparison one will hardly experience any waiting for getting a webpage downloaded.

Also, unlike a dial up connection, those with satellite services no longer have to wait to get on the internet when another party in the household or in the office is making a phone call. This is important for those who are running a business, just as it is for those who just want to go web surfing at home. There is also never a risk of missing an important call either.

Satellite internet, using the latest in technology to access a low orbiting geosynchronous satellite is quite reliable as well. One will always be able to get online as long as the satellite receiver has clear access to the sky. Sometimes though, during bad weather, just like an Astro satellite dish, there may be some interruptions to the service, but it generally always clears up quite quickly.

Another additional benefit is the opportunity to telecommute through SKYPE or Yahoo Messenger, amongst other instant messaging communication portals. More and more businesses are offering this option to their employees. It cuts on travel time and petrol expenses as well as costs for the employer, but this is something that would be impossible for those with a slow and clunky dial up connection. Those who live in the country need to have high-speed internet access if they want the option of telecommuting. A 56K dial up connection simply would not work.

If a business is owned in the countryside, then a satellite communication service is basically the only option. Regardless of the type of business, you will want to have access to the World Wide Web as quickly and hassle free as possible in order to check emails quickly, check sales orders, update your own website and more. By using any service slower and less reliable than a satellite connection could be detrimental to the success of the business.

Of course there are also some disadvantages to the satellite connection option.

First there is the aspect of costs involved. The equipment alone, like the decoder for the computer and the satellite receiver, like a satellite dish, can cost up to RM 1,000. Then there are the monthly charges that have to be paid to use these services, which are way higher than using a dial up connection or any broadband options that are available in the city. Average monthly costs can total to around RM 300.00. Also, it needs to be noted that while downloading from the internet is very fast, uploading is still at the speed of a dial up connection. So if one has to send out huge sized data, the advantage of a satellite connection is inept.

Additionally, satellite internet has a slight latency issue. For the average user, those surfing the web, checking emails, updating blogs and websites, this is not really much of an issue. The only people who might have a problem with the slight latency are those who would like to play online PC games, first person shooters in particular. Still, given the fact that satellite offers a service with which dial up just cannot compete, it is still worth considering it for those living in rural areas.

Living, working or having a business in in the countryside does not mean that one has to forego having high-speed internet access. Satellite communication services, as having a distinct advantage over classic dial up connection, is somewhat costly though so one should always take into consideration the cost factor and the desired speed of ones internet connection.

In the near future, the Malaysian government is planning to provide every household in Malaysia that wants to get online a high speed and yet affordable internet connection, but until this can be achieved, satellite communication services remain the best option for rural areas in our country.