Customer Tools: FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions For RapidSat One-Way
What do I need to receive RapidSat One-way service?
The basic hardware requirements for the RapidSat one-way service are straightforward. First of all need a personal computer with a standard dial up Internet connection. To receive and run RapidSat you have to connect a satellite receiver dish pointed to satellite W3 at 7 degrees East or Atlantic Bird 2 at 8 West and a satellite DVB-IP reception unit.
Do I need a very powerful PC?
Having a powerful PC is not a requisite at first, however most multimedia applications (video streaming, push reception) work better with a powerful processor and a lot of free disk space. We recommend, as a rule of thumb, at least a Pentium III processor, running at 500 MHz or higher frequency; 128 MB RAM or more, a hard disk drive with at least 1 GB of free space and a video card with at least 8 Mbytes RAM.
I have a Telemann, Technisat, Technotrend, Hauppauge, Siemens, Pentamedia, etc. card, is it compatible?
As rule of thumb, all DVB-IP compliant cards will work with the RapidSat Services.
Can I use a USB DVB box instead of a DVB card?
Yes, you can use a USB Box instead of a DVB card. However using more than one USB device at one time can cause conflictions. To know more about the different USB boxes available on the market, please call us on 0151 282 1838
What DVB-IP reception unit are available
You have the choice between a DVB-IP reception PC-card and a DVB-IP USB box. Rapid recommend the TechniSat SkyStar 2 TV PC-card and the WinTV Nova-S USB DVB. In principle RapidSat works with every DVB-IP card however the above two DVB-IP reception units are the only two we can offer technical support.
How much does a DVB card cost?
The price of a standard DVB IP card is approximately £50. For a USB Box, the price is relatively higher: approximately £100
Why do I need to connect to my ISP?
Your parabolic dish is able to receive but not to send data to the satellite. When you browse the Internet, you have to send information (i. e. the URL you are requesting). Even while downloading a file, the TCP/IP protocol requires that your computer send "acknowledgements". You need a return channel and the simplest return channel is the telephone connection with your ISP.
Can I use RapidSat with my current ISP?
You can use RapidSat with your ISP. In fact, you will need your ISP to contact our proxy so all the data that you requested can be received through your DVB card. You'll have to check if the IP address that you see on the "SatLogin Interface" page is the address of your current PPP connection. If it's not yours, then you are probably behind a proxy and you cannot use RapidSat for the Unicast (Internet via satellite) service.
Should I connect through a particular ISP?
Any ISP should work in principle, however we have encountered compatibility issues with some ISPs. The only ISP we can guarantee is compatible and offer technical support is RapidNet (us). Remember that in Internet Explorer you have to set the proxy settings for each ISP connection. We don't have a private dial-up provider so you must keep your ISP.
Why would I need a dual feed?
If you want to receive 2 satellites at same time with a fixed antenna, you need 2 LNBs: one for each satellite. RapidSat uses the satellite Eutelsat W3 at 7 degrees East, so you have one LNB for 7 degrees East and a second one for another satellite if you want to receive other channels (e.g., TV channels on Hotbird at 13 degrees East). You can also use a single motorized antenna.
If I use the RapidSat one-way service, what would my transfer rates be?
RapidSat provides a guaranteed bandwidth for your Internet connection using a three-tiered scheme related to the amount of data you download per month. The speed of your Internet connection depends on the type of subscription you have, there is an overall maximum speed of 2 Mbps.
Residential Subscription:
Tier 1: With the first 150 Mbytes content download per month at 400 kbit/sec average transfer rate
Tier 2: Additional 150 Mbytes at 200 Kbit/sec average transfer rate
Tier 3: Additional Mbytes in best effort mode
Club subscription:
Tier 1: With the first 400 Mbytes content download per month at 400 kbit/sec average transfer rate
Tier2: Additional 400 Mbytes at 200 Kbit/sec average transfer rate
Tier 3: Additional Mbytes in best effort mode
SME/SOHO Subscription:
Tier 1: With the first 1000Mbyte content download per month at 400 kbit/sec average transfer rate
Tier2: Additional 1000 Mbytes at 200 Kbit/sec average transfer rate
Tier 3: Additional Mbytes in best effort mode
Can I use your system with the ADSL / CABLE / LAN?
You can use ADSL or cable with RapidSat but the IP address that you see on the "SatLogin Interface" page should be yours. If it's not yours it means that you are behind a proxy or a masquerading router. To configure Internet Explorer, if you use ADSL, you'll have to use the same parameters as if you were using a modem (proxy server). You need to have a public IP-address.
I am behind an ISDN router. Can I use your system?
You can use it with RapidSat but the IP address that you see on the "SatLogin Interface" page should be yours. If it's not yours you cannot use RapidSat for the Unicast Service.
How do I arrange installation of the satellite receiver dish?
You need a receiving dish that provides a sufficiently large diameter in order to receive the signals from the satellites. Normally this will be 60cm, however some parts of England and Europe will require a 80- 90cm dish. An existing dish for a satellite TV may well be sufficient.
You can install the satellite yourself, we do however recommend employing a trained satellite installer with the correct equipment due to the high degree of accuracy required. Alternatively Rapid can provide you will all of the equipment and arrange the installation for you, call us on 0151 282 1838 and someone will talk you through the installation options and the cost involved.
Key Contacts:
CHAIRMAN/DIRECTOR: Denis C Stevens
MANAGING DIRECTOR: Mark Stevens
COMPANY ACCOUNTANT: Douglas Boffey
Email: accounts@rapid.co.uk
Direct telephone line: 0151-282 1804
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Graeme Wallis
Email: graeme.wallis@rapid.co.uk
Direct telephone line: 0151-282 1801
UK SALES MANAGER: Colin Birchall
Email: sales@rapidsat.com
Direct telephone line: 0151-282 1803
PR AND MARKETING MANAGER: Edna Boampong
Email: marketing@rapidsat.com
Direct telephone line: 0151 282 1837
INTERNET SUPPORT: Andrew Murphy
Email: support@rapidsat.com
Direct telephone line: 0151 282 1814
Glossary
Access point
The hardware node of a wireless network that local computers connect to or through. Some hold a PCMCIA card which can be replaced to upgrade to later standards.
Always on
A connection that is instantly available because it is constantly connected (as opposed to dial-up).
Bandwidth
The amount of data that may pass over a connection, determined by the speed at which it will pass: 2 megabits per second (basic broadband) or 56 kilobits per second (the fastest domestic modem - narrowband).
Bluetooth
A very short-range wireless link system particularly suitable for personal technologies such as mobile phone to headset, laptop to printer, or PDA to desktop computer; operating around 1Mbps.
Broadband
A faster form of connection (usually applied to the Internet) commonly providing a minimum of 2Mbps, with 8Mbps widely seen as the minimum currently acceptable for secondary schools, 2Mbps for smaller primaries. Bandwidth needs can be expected to rise continually for some years.
Contention ratio
Sharing bandwidth between users, possibly resulting in slowing transmission; measured by the number of users sharing the given bandwidth, typically 8:1 for the number of users sharing an access point on a WLAN.
Dial-up
A connection through a modem or terminal adapter (ISDN) that is initiated by dialling each time it is needed and closed down again afterwards.
Encryption
Scrambling data so it is not readable by unauthorized users. Usually automatically interpreted for those using the correct password.
Ethernet
The ubiquitous set of standards for computers to communicate across networks, with varieties for wireless or wired transmission and standards of cabling.
Interoperability
A term describing ability of equipment from different sources to work together.
ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network
A digital service run over telephone lines (dial-up) that typically offers about twice the speed or bandwidth of a modem(128Kbps) or multiples of that. Incurs a charge per minute used.
Kbps Kilobits per second
A measure of the speed of data transfer or bandwidth. 1000Kbps = 1Mbps.
LAN Local area network
A medium-range network connecting computers and peripherals within a building or site.
MAN Metropolitan area network
Medium-to long-range networking available in some major cities, typically at 22+Mbps.
Mbps Megabits per second A measure of the speed of data transfer or bandwidth. One Mbps = 1000 Kbps.
Network
A set of computer-related equipment linked together to allow the sharing of files, peripherals such as printers and, sometimes, applications usually operating through one or more central servers which service the needs of the others (see also ´Peer to peer´).
PAN
Personal Area Network, very local linking - eg, desktop computer to PDA, (see Bluetooth).
PDA
Personal Digital Assistant (type of handheld computer).
Peer to peer
A network without a server of linking computers, of equal status.
Router
A device, connected to at least two networks, which determines the next point to which data that reaches it should be forwarded to its destination.
Thin client
Low cost centrally managed computing device that uses applications running on a central server.
WAN Wide area network
Long range, linking between different buildings in or beyond a town, even internationally.
WEP Wired equivalent privacy
The basic security protocols available on all Wi-Fi supporting software; defaults to disabled, switch able through at least two levels to a maximum of 128bit.
Wi-Fi
A quality mark indicating full compliance with the 802.11b standard ensuring the interoperability of equipment from different manufacturers.
Wireless network
A network of computers and peripherals (printers etc) linked without wires, usually through radio transmission.
WLAN
Wireless local area network, normally achieved using radio transmission.
WWAN Wireless Wide Area Network
A WAN using wireless technology radio, microwave or laser, the latter two being restricted to line of sight. To become increasingly common using advanced mobile phone technologies such as GPRS and 3G.
Grants & Funding Assistance
There are a number of organisations offering grants and funding schemes such as the government, the European Union and some charitable organisation, which can help towards the integration of Satellite Broadband within your business. Grants usually cover 15-75% of the total costs incurred when implementing technological solutions, however they do have to be matched with other funds also.
If ADSL or cable services are unobtainable within certain areas for small, large businesses or people who work from home, government grants can be used to install alternative broadband solutions.
For practical help/advice for your business regarding financial assistance go to the below link for objective information and support: www.businesslink.gov.uk
HELPFUL HINTS WHEN APPLYING FOR YOUR GRANT
"Give as much information as possible along with your reasons for wanting a Broadband connection and how it will benefit your business e.g. cost reductions and time saving when using the internet within your business."
Here are a list and the relevant websites and links for the Regional Development Agencies that are running these schemes:
Rabbit
http://www.rabbit-broadband.org.uk covering the South East, South West, Midlands and East of England
Welsh Development Agency
http://www.locate-in-wales.com/homepage covering the whole of Wales
Northern Ireland Broadband SME Programme
http://www.broadband.detini.gov.uk/
Tel: 0800 515 319
Scottish Enterprise
http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/broadband click the Broadband Incentive link
Tel: 0845 644 2604
Government Office for the North West
http://www.go-nw.gov.uk/business/business.html#finance
Funding Sources for Rural Development in the North West
More information about Broadband call 0151 282 1838.
Footprint Map
The above map shows the coverage area for the Satellite W3.