Broadband satellite communication systems

[jfoster]

I realize that few of us care to spend money on anything above the cost of a simple Sat Phone. The technology above that minimal ( Minimal? Good Grief!) level of communication is rapidly advancing and the cost is coming down. To keep up with this trend look at the Panbo article:

http://www.panbo.com/archives/2009/10/voj_to_nz_with_openport_fb150_more.html

One paragraph from that link is quoted below:

The dream of surfing the net in exotic ports around the world is still outside the budget of most cruisers, but this year several new options have brought us a bit closer. In a series of articles we will shed light on the two smallest and most affordable of these new broadband capable satellite communication systems.
Early this year, Iridium launched a new phone system called OpenPort, which essentially bundles many individual Iridium connections together to create a larger pipe. Capable of multiple simultaneous phone calls and always on data at speeds up to 128 kbps, this new permanently installed Iridium system is being marketed to commercial shipping as well as us yachties and besides higher speeds, it brings a new billing system to Iridium where data is charged by the megabyte (Mb) instead of by the time it takes for your download as it is with standard Iridium phones.
A few years ago KVH started offering broadband connections through the Inmarsat system via their Fleet Broadband systems. This summer they launched their newest and smallest Fleet Broadband system, the TracPhone FB150. The FB150 brings an always on internet connection at speeds up to 150 kbps and IP voice connections to a significantly smaller dome than previously available at only 13" tall by 13.5" in diameter.