In this fast-paced world, nobody can think of living a modern life without a mobile phone. As communication is one of the primary concerns in this modern age, mobile phones have become a basic necessity to the people. Apart from that, one another reason behind using a modern mobile phone is its multi-functioning capability. With the advancement of time, technology has been developed and the needs of people have changed. If we look back to the early age of mobile phones then we will come to know that in the primary stages, the mobile handset were made with simple technology and only made simply for meeting the criteria of hassles-free communication.
But, then people have started demanding such mobile handsets which, apart from communication, fulfil their multiple advanced needs as well. That's why, the phone manufacturers have started implementing features such as FM radio into the mobile phones. After that, the demand of capturing photo and video arises and as the rule, to survive in the cut-throat competition of the market, the mobile phone manufacturers started introducing camera into the mobile phones. Like this way, the needs and demands of people have increased in a horizontal manner and to attract more and more customers, the mobile phone manufacturers are coming with technologically advanced mobile phones that are power-packed with plenty of world-class features.
If we acutely study the trends of the latest mobile phone market then we will see that it is uprising at a fast speed and with a systematic manner. Now almost all the mobile phone manufacturers of the world are offering the customers advanced features oriented mobile handsets that add a unique fashion statement by their highly fashionable looks. It has also been noticed that if a phone model is not so advanced or enriched with useful features then also people go towards it just for the shake of having a gorgeous mobile handset.
When it comes to the discussion about the latest mobile phones then no doubt the names of Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Samsung and LG would come on the top list. All these mobile phone manufacturers have successfully established a superior position in the minds of people all over the world. All their mobile handsets come power-packed with plethora of world-class yet sophisticated features and possess a gorgeous look. This perfect combination enhances the way of living of the users. Let's discuss about some of the highly popular and best selling latest mobile handsets.
Nokia N95 8 GB - With a distinctively huge internal hard drive, this elegant handset comes with multiple highly advanced features that are really helpful for today's fast-paced life. By using its 5 mega pixels camera, the users will be able to capture exceptional quality photos and videos. Its crystal-clear sound output enabled media player gives the advantage to get a thrilling experience while listening to the favourite music and watching video of the users. The GPS navigator of this elegant phone enables the users to find out new ways and acts as an ideal companion while travelling on an unknown destination.
Samsung Innov8 - This is one of the high-tech and advanced mobile handsets from Samsung. With a 8 mega pixels camera, this sophisticated headset allows the users to access various user-friendly features by which one can make his life simple by accomplishing daily chores faster. The users will also be able to access Internet and establishing connectivity with an incredible fast speed and that too without any hassles.
So, from the above discussions, one thing is quite clear that the latest mobile handsets possess the full potentiality to replace various high-tech gadgets and would be a companion of the modern users.
Andrena Markley is the webmaster of bestphoneshop.co.uk and deals latest mobile phones. For updates on latest mobile phone deals and latest blackberry phones visit the site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrena_Markley
Saturday, September 20, 2008
How to do a FREE Reverse Cell Phone Look Up
Are you looking for a way to do a free reverse cell phone lookup? If you are, you are not alone. According to Google, there are literally thousands of people looking for a way to do this everyday on the internet. To do a reverse cell phone search used to be quite expensive, one need to hire a private investigator for $350, just to lookup ONE cell phone number. But with the advance method that I am going to show you, this can be done for free and can be done one any cell phone number you want.
To use the advance method, you need to use Google. I have found that the best search engine for this method is Google simply because it is very powerful and has the necessary features needed to do this method.
Firstly, type in the cell phone number that you wanted to do a lookup on, with quotation marks around it, and then hit search. Once the result page comes out, there is an "Advanced Search" option on the upper center part of the page, click it. You are now at the advanced search option page, next find the "Date, usage rights, numeric range, and more" link and click it. The only thing we need to concern about here now is the date option. As it clearly states there, you need to determine how recent you want your search is. Once you selected how recent, click the advanced search button.
When the result page comes out, you then go through every listing on the page to see if there is any useful information for you. If you do not find anything, click on the next result page and so on.
This method is more advanced then any method shown on the net. It is able to filter out all the out dated information that you may get when using a normal method that can waste a lot of your precious time. That being said, this advance method however is still not perfect. Many have commented that the information that you will get, although probably up to date, are not guarantee to be accurate. Some also commented that this method even though take less time than normal ones, still takes too long to do.
If you did not find anything useful by using the advance method to do a free reverse cell phone lookup, the only option that I can think of is by utilizing a paid service to this for you. However, there is a fee associated with this service and I understand that most of you would want to do this for free if possible, but I have found many times that sometimes, free is never really an option, and besides, the fee is next to nothing anyway, especially if you pick the unlimited lookup option.
If the information that you are after is really important to you, then I believe paying a small fee for a complete and accurate confidential information is a price worth paying. You can start a reverse cell phone search by visiting the link below:
http://www.squidoo.com/LocateCellPhoneOwner
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Galaghan
To use the advance method, you need to use Google. I have found that the best search engine for this method is Google simply because it is very powerful and has the necessary features needed to do this method.
Firstly, type in the cell phone number that you wanted to do a lookup on, with quotation marks around it, and then hit search. Once the result page comes out, there is an "Advanced Search" option on the upper center part of the page, click it. You are now at the advanced search option page, next find the "Date, usage rights, numeric range, and more" link and click it. The only thing we need to concern about here now is the date option. As it clearly states there, you need to determine how recent you want your search is. Once you selected how recent, click the advanced search button.
When the result page comes out, you then go through every listing on the page to see if there is any useful information for you. If you do not find anything, click on the next result page and so on.
This method is more advanced then any method shown on the net. It is able to filter out all the out dated information that you may get when using a normal method that can waste a lot of your precious time. That being said, this advance method however is still not perfect. Many have commented that the information that you will get, although probably up to date, are not guarantee to be accurate. Some also commented that this method even though take less time than normal ones, still takes too long to do.
If you did not find anything useful by using the advance method to do a free reverse cell phone lookup, the only option that I can think of is by utilizing a paid service to this for you. However, there is a fee associated with this service and I understand that most of you would want to do this for free if possible, but I have found many times that sometimes, free is never really an option, and besides, the fee is next to nothing anyway, especially if you pick the unlimited lookup option.
If the information that you are after is really important to you, then I believe paying a small fee for a complete and accurate confidential information is a price worth paying. You can start a reverse cell phone search by visiting the link below:
http://www.squidoo.com/LocateCellPhoneOwner
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Galaghan
Faster Internet Speed-Tips&Secrets
If you want to surf the web and download/upload faster, while this isn't going to be a revelation to anyone, you need to have Broadband Internet Service (such as a Cable, DSL or "T1 or T3" connection). If you have telephone modem service, forget it Jack- you lose, you'll never get fast internet speed ever, you can't squeeze blood out of a stone!
So to pass "Go", step 1 is to get Broadband Internet Service! Of these, usually a "T" line is the fastest and most expensive and "Cable" and "DSL" both have their pluses and minuses. I have Cable Internet Service which is quite fast and the pluses are your connection is by cable rather than a phone line. The negatives are the more people using the Cable line at the same time will slow down your internet speed. With DSL which is also fast, you are using a phone line but are not affected by the amount of people on DSL at the same time. Basically it's your call for which service is best for your situation. Before I go on, factors like the amount of memory your computer has, the processor speed and the hard drive space, could affect internet speed to a degree and I'd try especially in regards to memory and processor speed, to get the maximum you can afford.
Even though you have Broadband, you still might not be happy with your internet speed because: 1. Your cache is too large, 2. You have adware/spyware/viruses on your computer, 3. Your modem needs rebooting, and 4. You don't have an internet speed accelerator. I'll now go over what to do on each of these:
In the case of your cache being too large, it could slow down your speed and I recommend you get software that clears the cache on your internet browser whether it be Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, etc. The software I recommend is (Webroot ) Window Washer. I would use this software daily but do not have your browser window open when you do. This will clear your cache.
Adware/Spyware and viruses definitely can slow your internet speed down. I would get a decent anti-spyware/adware program to get this stuff off your computer and run it every few days. I would have a decent anti-virus program as well and scan for viruses at least weekly. Note, if you go to Porn sites and some MP3 download sites, your computer will in all likelihood pick up spyware/adware, so ask yourself if it's worth it because chances are your internet speed will be affected. I'd recommend you use (Webroot) Spyware Doctor and/or (PC Tools) Registry Mechanic to get rid of this stuff and also NOD 32 for your anti-virus software, as it doesn't slow down your internet speed and computer like some other anti-virus programs do. I would try to avoid most Internet Security Software as they tend to slow down internet speed as well.
Every so often, your internet carrier for some reason loses a connection on your modem and when they resume for some reason your internet speed runs slower. When that happens, you need to reboot your modem. Just unplug the power cord for about a minute and then reconnect it to the socket. Your modem will reboot and the speed should be back to the way its suppose to be.
Lastly, I would get internet accelerator software. This software maximizes your computer's settings for faster downloads and internet response. I actually use two programs for this: Ascentive ActiveSpeed and Uniblue SpeedUpMyPC. I run ActiveSpeed first and SpeedUpMyPC right after. I run both programs after I've rebooted my computer or when I've added or deleted software programs.
The end result from following the above steps should be to get your internet speed including downloads, running consistently faster then before.
I just started 2009 Gifts and Free Advice my own combination Blog and Online Discount and Bargain Gift Store. My blogs should hopefully make life easier for you by giving free advice and tips on saving gas money, computers, home theater, HDTV, online auctions, e-commerce,electronics, movies, DVDS, relationships and more, that I've learned personally through trial and error. Hopefully, if you like my advice, you might get a birthday present, business gift, Christmas present, Valentines day gift, Mothers Day Present, etc., there. We sell electronics, jewelry and watches, software, books, computers, automotive products, home gyms, HDTV, everything!
I also own New and Used Discount Computers and Software which offers one of the largest selections of Discount New and Used laptops, computers, printers, monitors, software,hardware, media and other computer products online. Specializing in carrying the newest 2008 products. Many of the software products I mentioned can be obtained here at discount prices.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=P_Hershon
So to pass "Go", step 1 is to get Broadband Internet Service! Of these, usually a "T" line is the fastest and most expensive and "Cable" and "DSL" both have their pluses and minuses. I have Cable Internet Service which is quite fast and the pluses are your connection is by cable rather than a phone line. The negatives are the more people using the Cable line at the same time will slow down your internet speed. With DSL which is also fast, you are using a phone line but are not affected by the amount of people on DSL at the same time. Basically it's your call for which service is best for your situation. Before I go on, factors like the amount of memory your computer has, the processor speed and the hard drive space, could affect internet speed to a degree and I'd try especially in regards to memory and processor speed, to get the maximum you can afford.
Even though you have Broadband, you still might not be happy with your internet speed because: 1. Your cache is too large, 2. You have adware/spyware/viruses on your computer, 3. Your modem needs rebooting, and 4. You don't have an internet speed accelerator. I'll now go over what to do on each of these:
In the case of your cache being too large, it could slow down your speed and I recommend you get software that clears the cache on your internet browser whether it be Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, etc. The software I recommend is (Webroot ) Window Washer. I would use this software daily but do not have your browser window open when you do. This will clear your cache.
Adware/Spyware and viruses definitely can slow your internet speed down. I would get a decent anti-spyware/adware program to get this stuff off your computer and run it every few days. I would have a decent anti-virus program as well and scan for viruses at least weekly. Note, if you go to Porn sites and some MP3 download sites, your computer will in all likelihood pick up spyware/adware, so ask yourself if it's worth it because chances are your internet speed will be affected. I'd recommend you use (Webroot) Spyware Doctor and/or (PC Tools) Registry Mechanic to get rid of this stuff and also NOD 32 for your anti-virus software, as it doesn't slow down your internet speed and computer like some other anti-virus programs do. I would try to avoid most Internet Security Software as they tend to slow down internet speed as well.
Every so often, your internet carrier for some reason loses a connection on your modem and when they resume for some reason your internet speed runs slower. When that happens, you need to reboot your modem. Just unplug the power cord for about a minute and then reconnect it to the socket. Your modem will reboot and the speed should be back to the way its suppose to be.
Lastly, I would get internet accelerator software. This software maximizes your computer's settings for faster downloads and internet response. I actually use two programs for this: Ascentive ActiveSpeed and Uniblue SpeedUpMyPC. I run ActiveSpeed first and SpeedUpMyPC right after. I run both programs after I've rebooted my computer or when I've added or deleted software programs.
The end result from following the above steps should be to get your internet speed including downloads, running consistently faster then before.
I just started 2009 Gifts and Free Advice my own combination Blog and Online Discount and Bargain Gift Store. My blogs should hopefully make life easier for you by giving free advice and tips on saving gas money, computers, home theater, HDTV, online auctions, e-commerce,electronics, movies, DVDS, relationships and more, that I've learned personally through trial and error. Hopefully, if you like my advice, you might get a birthday present, business gift, Christmas present, Valentines day gift, Mothers Day Present, etc., there. We sell electronics, jewelry and watches, software, books, computers, automotive products, home gyms, HDTV, everything!
I also own New and Used Discount Computers and Software which offers one of the largest selections of Discount New and Used laptops, computers, printers, monitors, software,hardware, media and other computer products online. Specializing in carrying the newest 2008 products. Many of the software products I mentioned can be obtained here at discount prices.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=P_Hershon
10 Questions to ask your Satellite Internet Service Provider
If you are a corporation in search of disaster recovery networking solutions, a first responder who may need connectivity from anywhere at any time, or you simply need broadband internet connectivity from remote locations you have probably considered that satellite may be your only reliable option. In the midst of a disaster many businesses and first responders may find themselves without communications of any kind due to the loss of terrestrial infrastructures, or the lack of it ever existing in the first place.
The problem is that most business professionals and emergency service workers do not have a complete understanding of the satellite business and the idiosyncrasies of communications via satellite, and why should they? Satellite communications is not their profession. In the quest for a satellite internet service provider there are certain questions you should be prepared to ask before you get locked into a contract for services that won't satisfy your needs:
1) Do you have Non pre-emptible satellite space segment?
Satellite operators such as SES Americom, Intelsat among others lease space segment to satellite service providers. There are different levels of protection available in varying price ranges. Many service providers will opt to contract for pre-emptible space segment because it's much less expensive and they can make larger profit margins which they may or may not pass on to their end users. Pre-emptible space segment gives the satellite operator the ability to deny access to the satellite for the service provider in the event of an on board equipment failure, or to make room for a service provider who is willing to pay the Non pre-emptible premium.
During large scale disasters such as the hurricanes in the Gulf States in 2005 many pre-emptible segments of satellite space were cleared to make room for government requests for satellite service leaving other service providers with no access. If you are considering contracting for service for disaster recovery applications it is highly recommended that you find service providers that guarantee that they have contracted for Non pre-emptible space segment. The service provider should be able to provide you with evidence of their service agreement with the operators if you ask. You may pay a little more each month for your non pre-emptible service, but at least it will be available when you most need it.
2) What is your "Over Subscription" or "Contention Ratio"?
Most satellite service providers who are providing Internet services are operating systems that use TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) based systems. A TDMA system is normally controlled by a central hub location which will command the remote units in the field to transmit their data when the hub is ready to receive it. This allows for many remote units to share the same slice of bandwidth improving the overall efficiency of the system. The transmissions from the remote units are sequenced at a very high rate, many times per second, which makes the service appear to be continuous.
However, the more units that are added to the system, the slower the service will be. A true enterprise level operator will never allow their contention ratio to exceed 20:1 or essentially 20 terminals per segment of bandwidth. Many operators that offer lower grade services will over subscribe their systems as high as 40, 80, 120:1 or more. Some operators may not be willing disclose this information to their end users. If a service provider will not tell you their contention ratio, you might consider looking elsewhere as their ratios are likely to be high. This will directly affect the quality of the service you receive. Enterprise level operators with contention ratios of 20:1 or less will charge more for their services since they have fewer users for their contracted space segment. But, you get what you pay for.
3) What is your system Latency, and does your hardware or software include TCP/IP acceleration?
Any IP transport platform will have a certain amount of latency that is inherent to the structure of the system. Latency is normally measured by how long it takes for a TCP/IP "Ping" to be sent to a server on the other side of the transport link and be returned back over the link to the point of origin. Satellite systems, due to the physics involved will have much higher latency figures that any terrestrial link. Data is transmitted to the satellite at the speed of light, or 186,000 miles per second. The satellite is located 22,223 miles above the equator.
For a ping to make its round trip it must travel up to the satellite, back to earth to the server, up to the satellite again and back to the origination point. This is a round trip is approximately 88,892 miles. When calculated with the speed of light, in a perfect world the round trip will take about 448 milliseconds. When you add in coding delays and processing delays you can increase that figure by 100 to 250 milliseconds. On an efficient system, a round trip ping should take between 550 and 700 milliseconds (225 ms one way in each direction).
Many lower grade systems on the market today will actually return ping times of 1200 milliseconds or greater which is too slow to allow for functionality of certain software applications. Some system operators have added TCP/IP acceleration products to their equipment. This can either be a hardware or software solution. Acceleration of TCP/IP does not speed up the actual transmission as it is already being transmitted at the highest speed possible, the speed of light. The acceleration is achieved by modifying the TCP protocol in ways that allow for more efficient transmission over high latency networks such as satellite. Acceleration can significantly improve the speed of loading web pages, so it is a highly desirable product to have. Most of the products are not capable of accelerating encapsulated data such as VPN's, but the system should still pass that data, however more slowly. Be sure to ask whether or not the system has an acceleration product included.
4) Does your system support VoIP, VPN, and Streaming Video transmissions?
If you have certain applications that you intend to operate, be sure to inquire whether or not these applications are supported on the system. VoIP (Voice over IP) for telephone connectivity is becoming a very common need in satellite communications. All types of users from emergency services to business continuity are asking for telephone connectivity. The biggest concern most prospective users of VoIP over satellite have is that the latency will be too high for effective voice communications. This has largely been proven to not be true. In fact, most cellular telephone systems will experience as much or more delay in their systems than VoIP over satellite. Most satellite providers will support these systems, but if the system latency is more that about 800 milliseconds, you may experience difficulty carrying on a conversation. Some service providers will also sell VoIP equipment. If you choose to purchase from them, or on your own you will want to make sure the equipment includes good voice compression.
Most off the shelf VoIP systems that are not designed for use with satellite will occupy between 40 Kbps and 90 Kbps of bandwidth to complete each call. If you purchase 128K of satellite uplink bandwidth you may consume all of your bandwidth with one or two phone calls leaving none for internet access for your computers. There are compression VoIP systems available that have been designed for use over satellite that will use as little as 8 Kbps per phone call and the call is toll quality. There are even compression systems that will allow for a 1544 Kbps T1/PRI connection over less than 256 Kbps of satellite bandwidth. You will also want to inquire about connectivity to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). When the signal lands at the hub it will need to connect your VoIP traffic to a telephone line. Some service providers will provide this service for a fee; some will not provide it at all, so be sure to ask. If you need to operate a VPN over the system, keep in mind that it will likely not be accelerated over the satellite.
Acceleration of VPNs can be achieved with external hardware; however it is normally up to the customer to provide that equipment. There are some systems, mostly consumer grade, that will not support VPN's at all or there are additional charges so be sure to ask. The same goes for Video transmissions from a streaming device, or a web cam. Video streams are highly bandwidth intensive applications and most service providers will require dedicated bandwidth for these applications. The pricing for dedicated bandwidth will be substantially higher than the shared ratio pricing as it consumes 100% of the bandwidth 100% of the time. If you are planning to stream video to multiple receive sites it is recommended that you stream the video over the satellite to a server, and allow other users to get the stream from the server. This way there is only one active stream over the satellite where the bandwidth is expensive.
5) Do you offer CIR or CRA services?
CIR (Committed Information Rate) and CRA (Committed Rate Assignment) are different acronyms with the same meaning. It is dedicated satellite bandwidth that is usually required by the service provider if you intend to operate high bandwidth applications such as video streaming over the satellite. Most enterprise level service providers offer CIR/CRA packages, most consumer level operators do not. The pricing for these services will be significantly higher than shared ratio services, so be prepared. Some providers also require CIR/CRA services for VoIP. Be sure to inquire if this is something you need as some operators may not volunteer this information until it's too late.
6) How many public IP addresses do I get?
Many consumer level services do not assign public static IP addresses for you to use. This is primarily why they don't support services such as VoIP and VPN. Enterprise level providers usually provide at least one address, some will provide more. Most providers will give you a fixed number of addresses with your service and charge you if you want additional static IPs. The recommended way to avoid the additional charges is by using your own router on the system and natting your own addresses. Some systems will not support natting so be sure to inquire if this is what you need.
7) Do you have a FAP?
A FAP or Fair Access Policy is a set of rules that you agree to abide by when contracting for their services. They also will include certain restrictions on your service. Read this policy very carefully as the providers like to include wording that can seriously restrict your usage. Some service providers will "meter" your throughput on the system. If you reach a certain level of usage, usually recorded in Kbps, or Mbps they may restrict your bandwidth to a low level, or cut off your service entirely until the next billing cycle. It is very difficult to measure your own usage since most people have no Idea how many Kbps are sent or received when loading a web page. The FAP is also where the provider will spell out the rules of usage concerning applications such as streaming video and VoIP. Going over that document with a fine toothed comb will be in your best interest.
8) What will be my actual measured speeds?
The service providers will sell you a specific rate plan that will have an uplink or return data rate, and a downlink or forward data rate. This will usually be expressed in a manner such as "128/512" or sometimes "512/128". The larger number will always be the forward channel which is your downlink as a user. Most providers will not tell you that the speeds include IP overhead. Every internet system whether its satellite or terrestrial uses IP protocols that require a certain amount of bandwidth to process the IP traffic. Because of the overhead you can expect that your actual measured payload speeds will be around 20% lower than what you are paying for. Actual speeds can be measured by running a speed test from a PC over the satellite link.
If the service provider has their own speed test server at the hub location this will give you a more accurate test of the satellite link than an Internet based speed server. The internet based servers have too many variables to obtain accurate results since the data is being transferred over connections that are not under your control, or theirs. Most systems will be similar in their IP overhead usage, but be aware of this when you purchase your service. If you don't think the speeds will be high enough when you factor in the 20% overhead you may want to consider a higher service level plan.
9) What Pricing plans do you offer?
In your search for a service provider you will likely encounter a multitude of pricing plans. Each provider will create pricing structures that meet their business model, and that will give them an edge over their competition. Because of this you may find it difficult to compare price. All providers will offer full time 24x7x365 service plans. Some will also offer plans based on usage, and some will sell daily or hourly plans. There are even providers that will sell service for a fixed number of days each month. These plans can be attractive as you will not likely use a system designed for disaster recovery every day of the month, so why should you pay for full time service? If you are comparing price between providers it is easiest to look at their full time rates to determine the cost. However, keep in mind that operators base their pricing on their cost for the satellite space segment. If they are charging less it may be because they don't have non pre-emptible space or because they operate with high contention ratios, or both.
10) Do you offer other services such as terrestrial connectivity and collocation?
Be sure to inquire about value added services such as collocation space and terrestrial connectivity. Unless you are only buying internet access and have no need for VoIP, streaming, or data backup, you will likely need these services. Some service providers will provide connectivity to the telephone network, and some will not. If you need dial tone you will probably want to contract for that as well. For disaster recovery solutions it is highly recommended that you originate your dial tone from a safe location that is far away from the affected area.
In many disaster scenarios the terrestrial connectivity including cellular phones will not be available. It is important that this is taken into account when designing a backup network. Some of the satellite providers will also offer services to back up corporate or government server data at the satellite hub location. This is highly beneficial to the customer as it provides both off site storage of valuable data, and easy access to that data via the satellite when it is most needed. A satellite hub with a collocation facility can be a powerful tool, and should be highly considered when contracting for satellite services.
This article was written by Bob Exum who is a 24 year veteran in the communications and satellite industries. For comments or questions Bob can be reached at Clear Channel Satellite in Englewood, CO. 303-925-1708 bobexum@clearchannel.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Exum
The problem is that most business professionals and emergency service workers do not have a complete understanding of the satellite business and the idiosyncrasies of communications via satellite, and why should they? Satellite communications is not their profession. In the quest for a satellite internet service provider there are certain questions you should be prepared to ask before you get locked into a contract for services that won't satisfy your needs:
1) Do you have Non pre-emptible satellite space segment?
Satellite operators such as SES Americom, Intelsat among others lease space segment to satellite service providers. There are different levels of protection available in varying price ranges. Many service providers will opt to contract for pre-emptible space segment because it's much less expensive and they can make larger profit margins which they may or may not pass on to their end users. Pre-emptible space segment gives the satellite operator the ability to deny access to the satellite for the service provider in the event of an on board equipment failure, or to make room for a service provider who is willing to pay the Non pre-emptible premium.
During large scale disasters such as the hurricanes in the Gulf States in 2005 many pre-emptible segments of satellite space were cleared to make room for government requests for satellite service leaving other service providers with no access. If you are considering contracting for service for disaster recovery applications it is highly recommended that you find service providers that guarantee that they have contracted for Non pre-emptible space segment. The service provider should be able to provide you with evidence of their service agreement with the operators if you ask. You may pay a little more each month for your non pre-emptible service, but at least it will be available when you most need it.
2) What is your "Over Subscription" or "Contention Ratio"?
Most satellite service providers who are providing Internet services are operating systems that use TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) based systems. A TDMA system is normally controlled by a central hub location which will command the remote units in the field to transmit their data when the hub is ready to receive it. This allows for many remote units to share the same slice of bandwidth improving the overall efficiency of the system. The transmissions from the remote units are sequenced at a very high rate, many times per second, which makes the service appear to be continuous.
However, the more units that are added to the system, the slower the service will be. A true enterprise level operator will never allow their contention ratio to exceed 20:1 or essentially 20 terminals per segment of bandwidth. Many operators that offer lower grade services will over subscribe their systems as high as 40, 80, 120:1 or more. Some operators may not be willing disclose this information to their end users. If a service provider will not tell you their contention ratio, you might consider looking elsewhere as their ratios are likely to be high. This will directly affect the quality of the service you receive. Enterprise level operators with contention ratios of 20:1 or less will charge more for their services since they have fewer users for their contracted space segment. But, you get what you pay for.
3) What is your system Latency, and does your hardware or software include TCP/IP acceleration?
Any IP transport platform will have a certain amount of latency that is inherent to the structure of the system. Latency is normally measured by how long it takes for a TCP/IP "Ping" to be sent to a server on the other side of the transport link and be returned back over the link to the point of origin. Satellite systems, due to the physics involved will have much higher latency figures that any terrestrial link. Data is transmitted to the satellite at the speed of light, or 186,000 miles per second. The satellite is located 22,223 miles above the equator.
For a ping to make its round trip it must travel up to the satellite, back to earth to the server, up to the satellite again and back to the origination point. This is a round trip is approximately 88,892 miles. When calculated with the speed of light, in a perfect world the round trip will take about 448 milliseconds. When you add in coding delays and processing delays you can increase that figure by 100 to 250 milliseconds. On an efficient system, a round trip ping should take between 550 and 700 milliseconds (225 ms one way in each direction).
Many lower grade systems on the market today will actually return ping times of 1200 milliseconds or greater which is too slow to allow for functionality of certain software applications. Some system operators have added TCP/IP acceleration products to their equipment. This can either be a hardware or software solution. Acceleration of TCP/IP does not speed up the actual transmission as it is already being transmitted at the highest speed possible, the speed of light. The acceleration is achieved by modifying the TCP protocol in ways that allow for more efficient transmission over high latency networks such as satellite. Acceleration can significantly improve the speed of loading web pages, so it is a highly desirable product to have. Most of the products are not capable of accelerating encapsulated data such as VPN's, but the system should still pass that data, however more slowly. Be sure to ask whether or not the system has an acceleration product included.
4) Does your system support VoIP, VPN, and Streaming Video transmissions?
If you have certain applications that you intend to operate, be sure to inquire whether or not these applications are supported on the system. VoIP (Voice over IP) for telephone connectivity is becoming a very common need in satellite communications. All types of users from emergency services to business continuity are asking for telephone connectivity. The biggest concern most prospective users of VoIP over satellite have is that the latency will be too high for effective voice communications. This has largely been proven to not be true. In fact, most cellular telephone systems will experience as much or more delay in their systems than VoIP over satellite. Most satellite providers will support these systems, but if the system latency is more that about 800 milliseconds, you may experience difficulty carrying on a conversation. Some service providers will also sell VoIP equipment. If you choose to purchase from them, or on your own you will want to make sure the equipment includes good voice compression.
Most off the shelf VoIP systems that are not designed for use with satellite will occupy between 40 Kbps and 90 Kbps of bandwidth to complete each call. If you purchase 128K of satellite uplink bandwidth you may consume all of your bandwidth with one or two phone calls leaving none for internet access for your computers. There are compression VoIP systems available that have been designed for use over satellite that will use as little as 8 Kbps per phone call and the call is toll quality. There are even compression systems that will allow for a 1544 Kbps T1/PRI connection over less than 256 Kbps of satellite bandwidth. You will also want to inquire about connectivity to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). When the signal lands at the hub it will need to connect your VoIP traffic to a telephone line. Some service providers will provide this service for a fee; some will not provide it at all, so be sure to ask. If you need to operate a VPN over the system, keep in mind that it will likely not be accelerated over the satellite.
Acceleration of VPNs can be achieved with external hardware; however it is normally up to the customer to provide that equipment. There are some systems, mostly consumer grade, that will not support VPN's at all or there are additional charges so be sure to ask. The same goes for Video transmissions from a streaming device, or a web cam. Video streams are highly bandwidth intensive applications and most service providers will require dedicated bandwidth for these applications. The pricing for dedicated bandwidth will be substantially higher than the shared ratio pricing as it consumes 100% of the bandwidth 100% of the time. If you are planning to stream video to multiple receive sites it is recommended that you stream the video over the satellite to a server, and allow other users to get the stream from the server. This way there is only one active stream over the satellite where the bandwidth is expensive.
5) Do you offer CIR or CRA services?
CIR (Committed Information Rate) and CRA (Committed Rate Assignment) are different acronyms with the same meaning. It is dedicated satellite bandwidth that is usually required by the service provider if you intend to operate high bandwidth applications such as video streaming over the satellite. Most enterprise level service providers offer CIR/CRA packages, most consumer level operators do not. The pricing for these services will be significantly higher than shared ratio services, so be prepared. Some providers also require CIR/CRA services for VoIP. Be sure to inquire if this is something you need as some operators may not volunteer this information until it's too late.
6) How many public IP addresses do I get?
Many consumer level services do not assign public static IP addresses for you to use. This is primarily why they don't support services such as VoIP and VPN. Enterprise level providers usually provide at least one address, some will provide more. Most providers will give you a fixed number of addresses with your service and charge you if you want additional static IPs. The recommended way to avoid the additional charges is by using your own router on the system and natting your own addresses. Some systems will not support natting so be sure to inquire if this is what you need.
7) Do you have a FAP?
A FAP or Fair Access Policy is a set of rules that you agree to abide by when contracting for their services. They also will include certain restrictions on your service. Read this policy very carefully as the providers like to include wording that can seriously restrict your usage. Some service providers will "meter" your throughput on the system. If you reach a certain level of usage, usually recorded in Kbps, or Mbps they may restrict your bandwidth to a low level, or cut off your service entirely until the next billing cycle. It is very difficult to measure your own usage since most people have no Idea how many Kbps are sent or received when loading a web page. The FAP is also where the provider will spell out the rules of usage concerning applications such as streaming video and VoIP. Going over that document with a fine toothed comb will be in your best interest.
8) What will be my actual measured speeds?
The service providers will sell you a specific rate plan that will have an uplink or return data rate, and a downlink or forward data rate. This will usually be expressed in a manner such as "128/512" or sometimes "512/128". The larger number will always be the forward channel which is your downlink as a user. Most providers will not tell you that the speeds include IP overhead. Every internet system whether its satellite or terrestrial uses IP protocols that require a certain amount of bandwidth to process the IP traffic. Because of the overhead you can expect that your actual measured payload speeds will be around 20% lower than what you are paying for. Actual speeds can be measured by running a speed test from a PC over the satellite link.
If the service provider has their own speed test server at the hub location this will give you a more accurate test of the satellite link than an Internet based speed server. The internet based servers have too many variables to obtain accurate results since the data is being transferred over connections that are not under your control, or theirs. Most systems will be similar in their IP overhead usage, but be aware of this when you purchase your service. If you don't think the speeds will be high enough when you factor in the 20% overhead you may want to consider a higher service level plan.
9) What Pricing plans do you offer?
In your search for a service provider you will likely encounter a multitude of pricing plans. Each provider will create pricing structures that meet their business model, and that will give them an edge over their competition. Because of this you may find it difficult to compare price. All providers will offer full time 24x7x365 service plans. Some will also offer plans based on usage, and some will sell daily or hourly plans. There are even providers that will sell service for a fixed number of days each month. These plans can be attractive as you will not likely use a system designed for disaster recovery every day of the month, so why should you pay for full time service? If you are comparing price between providers it is easiest to look at their full time rates to determine the cost. However, keep in mind that operators base their pricing on their cost for the satellite space segment. If they are charging less it may be because they don't have non pre-emptible space or because they operate with high contention ratios, or both.
10) Do you offer other services such as terrestrial connectivity and collocation?
Be sure to inquire about value added services such as collocation space and terrestrial connectivity. Unless you are only buying internet access and have no need for VoIP, streaming, or data backup, you will likely need these services. Some service providers will provide connectivity to the telephone network, and some will not. If you need dial tone you will probably want to contract for that as well. For disaster recovery solutions it is highly recommended that you originate your dial tone from a safe location that is far away from the affected area.
In many disaster scenarios the terrestrial connectivity including cellular phones will not be available. It is important that this is taken into account when designing a backup network. Some of the satellite providers will also offer services to back up corporate or government server data at the satellite hub location. This is highly beneficial to the customer as it provides both off site storage of valuable data, and easy access to that data via the satellite when it is most needed. A satellite hub with a collocation facility can be a powerful tool, and should be highly considered when contracting for satellite services.
This article was written by Bob Exum who is a 24 year veteran in the communications and satellite industries. For comments or questions Bob can be reached at Clear Channel Satellite in Englewood, CO. 303-925-1708 bobexum@clearchannel.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Exum
My Cell Phone Store
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Wednesday, September 17, 2008
My Ebay Listings
Hi again,
I don't want this to come off as a big self promotion thing but I just wanted to touch base with my readers and let you guys know that I would love to have all my readers check out my Ebay Listings whenever they can because I am always updating them with new products that cover a wide range but I'm trying to specialize more in electronics whenever possible. So have a look and who knows you may become a customer of mine.
I don't want this to come off as a big self promotion thing but I just wanted to touch base with my readers and let you guys know that I would love to have all my readers check out my Ebay Listings whenever they can because I am always updating them with new products that cover a wide range but I'm trying to specialize more in electronics whenever possible. So have a look and who knows you may become a customer of mine.
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