Re: When is Satellite Internet Service Coming Here
Satellite Internet service should be available in most tropical and temperate zone latitudes by the first quarter of 2001 if you are willing to buy a ~$500 ground station similar to the 18" units that currently bring satellite TV to US households. Several new low-earth satellite constellations are being launched right now.
Hughes is expected to have theirs online first, but several others are in the race. Third-world telephone companies and ISPs are going to have to get their act together damn fast if they don't want to lose all their high-use clients within the next few years. Some of the lamer US ones had better get on the stick, too.
Right now, the biggest thing holding me back from an immediate move to the DR or someplace similar is fear of poor phone and net connections. With good connections I can telecommute and keep my current job. Without solid commo, I'm just another middle-aged American tropical dreamer with a beard, a potbelly, and a limited bank account.