BajaNomad

Starband

cabobaja - 10-7-2009 at 03:15 PM

Received letter today from Starband stating that my system needed to be transitioned (dish re-pointed to new satellite) by October 31st. I called Starband and the rep stated that this is for systems in the US. Mexico will lose their service on October 31st.

DENNIS - 10-7-2009 at 03:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by cabobaja
Received letter today from Starband stating that my system needed to be transitioned (dish re-pointed to new satellite) by October 31st. I called Starband and the rep stated that this is for systems in the US. Mexico will lose their service on October 31st.


Oh Boy. That's going to make a few people around here unhappy. Toscano's at La Bufadora is almost all Starband.

cabobaja - 10-7-2009 at 03:25 PM

I do not know Dennis..........maybe Baja Norte will not be affected. My system in in Baja Sur.

What does this mean?

Dave - 10-7-2009 at 04:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by cabobaja
Mexico will lose their service on October 31st.


Mexico never had Starband. Those of us who had Starband and lived in Mexico used billing addys in the States.

Are you telling us that those living in Mexico will no longer receive a signal. That it will end at the border?

How will that work, exactly?

losfrailes - 10-7-2009 at 04:51 PM

It could mean that Starband is going to go SpotBeam rather than broader coverage.

If that happens, it is possible that those users will lose their connection.

The signal will still be in the air, but further north.

Mexicorn - 10-7-2009 at 05:44 PM

Starband is slow slow slow....
Anyone want to buy my old system for $100.00
Dish Modem, CD
I was paying about $60.00 a month but it would not support VOIP so I switched to bajawireless for $45.00 a month.

cabobaja - 10-7-2009 at 06:21 PM

Dave, I just relayed what the Starband rep told me. Yes, you're correct. My system is in Baja Sur, 30 miles north of Cabo on the pacific. My address is in Texas, billing address is in San Diego. Have had system for 8-9 years. $52.00 a month.

Mexicorn, my system is not slow. Never had any problem. Not even through many hurricanes. If I lose the system it will be a bummer.

Mexicorn - 10-7-2009 at 06:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by cabobaja
Dave, I just relayed what the Starband rep told me. Yes, you're correct. My system is in Baja Sur, 30 miles north of Cabo on the pacific. My address is in Texas, billing address is in San Diego. Have had system for 8-9 years. $52.00 a month.

Mexicorn, my system is not slow. Never had any problem. Not even through many hurricanes. If I lose the system it will be a bummer.


Yea but does support VOIP. My didnt they could hear me I couldnt hear them. echo echo echo echo............
No bueno
It was kinda like the Chargers are playing right now...

oladulce - 10-7-2009 at 06:40 PM

We got the same letter today. I believe this post from the summer discusses this issue.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=38866#pid4229...

larryC - 10-9-2009 at 12:51 PM

Starband has recently leased space on the 121w satellite and are moving all their customers to the new sat. I am a starband installer and have done about 30 repoints in the Bahia de Los Angeles area. The signal strength is a little weaker than what I got on the 129 sat but still a good useable signal. Farther south probably will be a problem and may require a larger dish, a 1 or even a 1.2 meter.
As far as starband being slow, well it certainly is not as fast as a cable or dsl system but since none of those are available in remote locations then starband or Hughes are pretty much your only choices. VOIP works but is not perfect. All in all for a system that gives both internet and a useable voip it works pretty well.
Larry

DanO - 10-9-2009 at 01:58 PM

Anyone have a basis for comparison between Starband and Hughesnet?

KAT54 - 10-9-2009 at 02:08 PM

Comparison on Nov 1st?
Hughesnet will work in BCS.
Starband will not.

DanO - 10-9-2009 at 02:12 PM

For BCN, are there any performance or service differences?

larryC - 10-9-2009 at 02:35 PM

That is about the same as asking "which is better Fords or Chevys?"
As far as service, I imagine they are about the same, probably if you are thinking about one or the other, check with people in your area and find out which service has someone local to help with install and tech problems. I do starbands in the BoLA area, and have tried to help people with Hughes but the systems are different enough that I have never been able to be of much help.
Larry

[Edited on 10-9-2009 by larryC]

DanO - 10-9-2009 at 03:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by larryC
That is about the same as asking "which is better Fords or Chevys?"
As far as service, I imagine they are about the same, probably if you are thinking about one or the other, check with people in your area and find out which service has someone local to help with install and tech problems. I do starbands in the BoLA area, and have tried to help people with Hughes but the systems are different enough that I have never been able to be of much help.
Larry
[Edited on 10-9-2009 by larryC]


Thanks Larry. And the answer to your question is, "Fords." Now, can anyone in the Ensenada area recommend an installer or installers of these systems?

[Edited on 10-9-2009 by DanO]

larryC - 10-9-2009 at 03:19 PM

Dano
Check your u2u

Keri - 10-9-2009 at 03:41 PM

I was given this info for a hughes net installer. I think they do starband also. They are in Ensenada and speak english. Computer angelz
office 173-3728
cell 044-646-132-0825
usa 619-240-8510

Computer Angelz

BCSTech - 10-23-2009 at 12:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by larryC
As far as starband being slow, well it certainly is not as fast as a cable or dsl system but since none of those are available in remote locations then starband or Hughes are pretty much your only choices.
Not so. There are other VSAT systems available for Mexico using iDirect modems that are guaranteed high speed and support full-on VoIP 24/7.

More expensive up front and more expensive per month but it does work, period.

Mexicorn - 10-23-2009 at 01:56 PM

I've got a starband system for sale Modem dish and install CD all for $100.00 bucks anyone interested?

BCSTech - 10-23-2009 at 02:06 PM

We're investigating whether we can upgrade 1.2 meter StarBand dishes and repoint them. Tentatively, the answer is, "yes."

bajalinda - 10-23-2009 at 03:02 PM

Mexicorn - check your U2U

bajadock - 10-23-2009 at 09:53 PM

Just did myveryown repoint from Starband's old 129 satellite to new 121 satellite yesterday, 22 Oct. As a 22 month Starband user, what I know:
1. Slower than DSL, but, faster than dialup. If you need lots of video download, you also face slower speed and speed penalties....bandwidth for ALL means YOUR BIGHONKIN' bandwidth infringes upon others, so they slow you down due to your need for latest Oprah episode.
2. 10-30 minute random periods every week to 2 weeks that system is down
3. Morning fog influences dish and a towel wipe on lense, just after I get my coffee maker started, is ez fix. Clouds/storms have minimal effect but moisture on the lense 1 out of 7 days is an issue invading my morning rituals.
4. If you're a tech weenie, hire a local pro via referral. If you're a mini geek and mini construction warrior, you can do it. Bajabus, another Nomad, can provide assistance to mini-geeks.
5. My VOIP works best from 4PM into night, with minimal echo and delay. My VOIP phone is Yahoo Messenger Phone, an AT&T product. Hey, I'm a guy, so phone conversations aren't a big priority. But, I've talked with Abu Dhabi, Panama, France, New Zealand and China with success.

No, I'm not a Starband huckster. Yes, I'm happy with my system, because Telnor won't string their line 50M down the hill to me.

Holler for more on my experience. Others paid it forward for me and I'm happy to share. DOC

[Edited on 10-24-2009 by bajadock]

Bajabus - 10-24-2009 at 08:59 AM

You will not lose service in Mexico IF your dealer made provisions for you to stay on G27 or have you repointed from AMC-4 to G27 and IF you are running the newer Skyedge 1 modems. older legacy equipment will not be allowed to stay. they use too much bandwidth and they need all they can get on the remaining 1.5 transponders they are still leasing on that bird.

SB has been mailing out SE1 modem upgrades for $149.

If you are currently on G27 with a horizontal RX polarity and a skyedge modem there is nothing you need to do.

If you are on G27 with a vertical RX polarity then you will need to flip to the correct polarity. your dealer will have set this up for you and will have all the info you need to do it yourself. you will need your new modem config info and VSAT ID along with the proper 5000XXXXX ticket number to close out on the automated call in system.

I will be flying down on the 27 for about 10 days.
going to be in the TS, lapaz, eastcape area to do the above antenna work for our customers free of charge unless their antennas are to rusted to adjust.

If you are not our customer and in that area and want us to take care of you shoot me an e-mail and we will see what we can work out.

If you are not in that area and want to try your hand at doing the work yourself you need to first call SB and find out what satellite and polarity you are on....then e-mail me and i will get you instructions. Don't leave me a PM I am swamped and don't have much time to check this board lately sorry.

contact info is on our website.

Bajabus - 10-24-2009 at 10:10 AM

I forgot to add that if you are north of GN you should have NP repointing to the new bird like Doc did. from there down to loretto it's iffy and you will probably need a .98 or 1.2mt dish.

past that you will probably not be able to see the new E9 sat to repoint to it.