Satellite internet access is one of the ways that you can have a broadband internet connection that will allow you to surf the web at high speeds. But not only that, it's also the only broadband internet connection that is able to be portable and taken where ever you want within the northern hemisphere.

This is because, unlike cable and DSL. internet connections, satellite internet access is not dependent on physical lines or cables in order to transmit the data. Instead, the internet data is transferred to a network of satellites orbiting high above the earth in our atmosphere where it is then redirected back down to earth and received by those who have the equipment necessary to decode it and display it on their computer. So as long as you have an unobstructed view of the southern sky anywhere within the Northern Hemisphere, you most likely will be able to receive satellite internet services.

But how do you decide on which internet service provider to use? Here are a few guidelines to help you make your decision:

1. One of the first considerations is what equipment is provided by the company when you sign up, and what equipment will you have to purchase on your own? This can be an important consideration, as some satellite internet service providers can charge a significant amount for the initial equipment needed to get started.

2. Another important consideration is how fast and reliable their internet service is. It would be a good idea to find out not only how fast the download speeds are, but also how fast you can upload data to the internet, especially if you tend to work with large files. Also be sure to check on their reliability percentage record to get an idea of how consistent you can expect their service to be.

3. It would be good to find out whether or not you can connect more than one computer at a time to their service, and if so how were those connections made? For instance, will it require you to set up a wireless network in order to connect multiple computers to the same terminal?

4. Before you sign a contract be sure that you understand how long the contract will be in force, and if there are any penalties that you will have to pay for canceling their service before the contract expires.

5. Also don't forget to ask about technical support. How often it is available? For instance, is it available 24 hours a day, or only during certain hours of the day? And what kind of support is it? Is provided in person over the telephone, or just online?

Getting high speed internet access by means of a satellite internet service provider is not all that difficult, and if you follow the suggestions and tips provided above, it should help you select the provider that will best fit your needs.

Steadman Issenburg writes on many consumer related topics including communication. You can find satellite internet service providers and satellite dish internet access and more by visiting our communication website.