How Do I Connect to Satellite Internet?

A satellite broadband connection operates using a local area network (LAN) in just the same way as you would with a fixed-line connection. With satellite internet, you will have a router that provides the same services as one that connects to a phone line or a fibre-optic connection. The only difference with satellite internet is that your satellite router is connected to a satellite dish instead of a fixed-line.

You can connect to the router with any WiFi-enabled devices you like, including:

• Laptops
• Tablets
• Computers
• Smart TVs
• Smartphones
• Any other smart devices you might have, like fridges or utility meters.

Wondering how to connect a router to satellite internet? To connect a device, all you need to do is enter the password on your router and you'll be up and running in seconds. Once connected, your chosen device will be able to communicate with others on the LAN and over the internet, too.

Note that you don't have to use WiFi, either. Your router includes Ethernet ports. This means that you can plug an Ethernet cable into it and link any chosen piece of computing equipment by plugging it in at the other end. Ethernet cables work well up to 100 metres so this is a good option if you have a patchy WiFi signal on your property, perhaps behind a thick wall.

Understanding how internet satellite works means getting to grips with three basic pieces of equipment. They are:

• The communications satellite itself
• An internet satellite dish
• An internet satellite router

When you connect your device to your internet satellite router, any data you upload or download over the internet will flow through it. The router's job is to encrypt your data and to communicate with your internet satellite dish. It is the satellite dish plus a transmit and receive integrated assembly (TRIA). TRIA does the job of sending and receiving your encrypted data to the satellite. The satellite relays this information back to Earth in a fraction of a second so you can enjoy favourable data speeds.

At Konnect, we'll provide a free installation of the dish and router so all you need to do is to connect your device(s). It couldn't be easier!

Since satellite internet has become the main alternative to fibre-optic, phone line and cable broadband – especially in rural areas – it is probably worth knowing how to expand the range of your LAN. What exactly is involved in achieving this?

With your WiFi up and running from your internet satellite router, you can access the web almost instantly. However, depending on the layout of your office or home, the WiFi signal can drop out. This can happen, in particular, as you get further away from the router. To deal with this issue and to augment the range of the network, use a repeater station. A repeater station should be placed within the router's range and will provide more signal strength for devices that are near to them. They don't boost the WiFi signal of the router itself but (as their name states), but they do act like little signal relay stations so your overall coverage is improved.

If you want to find out how to get broadband without a phone line or if you would like to find out just how little satellite internet costs, then check out our frequently asked questions or give us a call. Also, if you're looking for information on how to connect your satellite receiver to the internet, we are here to help!