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Review by pn 
Posted: 4 years ago
member for 8.8 years, 262 visits, last login: 159 days ago
 Hannacroix,Greene,NY
 Contract price not specified.
 "Wow we are back"
 "$80 a month and cap"
 "If you don't have a choice"
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WildBlue
WoW, we are back…
A year a go we took the big step and moved out to the woods from big city life and i hade to give up my DSL line and go back in time to dial up.
The only other option was Starband or Direct you no what, to expensive and bad revues
But my installer for my sat TV was talking about a new sat service wild blue, but the thing was, it was not available at that time so we waited and waited finally 9 moths later baby wild blue was borne.
Called my installer on 10/28/05 got a appointment for 11/2/05.
The ware on time, the install of the dish and running the cable took less the two hours
And the job was done very professionally. My dish is mounted on the side off the house.
My service package is 1.5 / 2?? For $80 a month and the have a cap on your downs and ups.
11/5/05
So far no problems speeds are good and soled connection.
:::.. Download Stats ..:::
Connection is:: 1553 Kbps about 1.6 Mbps (tested with 1013 kB)
Download Speed is:: 190 kB/s
Tested From:: »testmy.net/ (server2)
Test Time:: Sat Nov 05 2005 10:58:39 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)
Bottom Line:: 28X faster than 56K 1MB download in 5.39 sec
Diagnosis: Awesome! 20% + : 22.28 % faster than the average for host (wildblue.com)
Validation Link:: »testmy.net/stats/id-V6PJLY5A8
:::.. Upload Stats ..:::
Connection is:: 231 Kbps about 0.2 Mbps (tested with 1013 kB)
Upload Speed is:: 28 kB/s
Tested From:: »testmy.net/ (server1)
Test Time:: Sat Nov 05 2005 11:09:41 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)
Bottom Line:: 4X faster than 56K 1MB upload in 36.57 sec
Diagnosis: Awesome! 20% + : 75 % faster than the average for host (wildblue.com)
Validation Link:: »testmy.net/stats/id-1EPITL2QD
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Review by Ike1340
Posted: 4 years ago
member for 4 years, 191 visits, last login: 2.9 years ago
Maricopa,Pinal,AZ
Contract price not specified.
"Fast downloads as promised, reliable service"
"Slower than advertised uploads"
"Pricey, but by far the best alternative for hi-tech workers in the sticks"
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I live out in the desert--literally, about 30 mi S of Phoenix. And even though the nearest town has just incorporated and is getting DSL and cable modem, my little ranch is outta luck. This area only got landline about 10 yrs ago, the wire center for my CO is over 15 mi away, I'm 3 mi behind an SLC, and the local IEC (Q****) has pretty much said no way, no how to anything above basic copper end loop in my lifetime. I've been following the satellite options for 5 yrs, waiting for the install prices and/or dish size to come down, or their FAP to improve. I'm still waiting, by the way....
When I read about Wildblue, it hit me as the best option. I finally bit the bullet and got on the waiting list at the end of September, and was contacted the next week by the local rural coop (Electrical District #2 of Coolidge) to set up an install. Their sales rep was also the local sysadmin, and could answer all my preliminary tech questions to my satisfaction.
The installer, a private contractor (Mountain Communications) came out the following week. The whole install was done in just over 2 hrs, from site survey to final paperwork, and was done perfectly--solid sidewall mount, by-the-numbers cable runs, software config right the first time.
I've been up now for almost 3 weeks, and with almost no hitches. I found out the hard way that power hiccups may require a reboot and power-cycling the DOCSIS-type satellite modem (tech support answered that one in about 45 seconds), but beyond that, it's beautiful. Downloads are usually about 520 kbps (on the bottom-tier Value Pak); uploads average about half of advertised max, at around 60 kbps. But hey, I generally retrieve info for my research as a writer, and I don't need to upload many big files. For me, the Value Pak FAP gives me plenty of bandwidth.
Yes, it irks me that I have to spend twice as much as my suburban coworkers for less bandwidth (my package is $50/mo)--but this is a whole lot better than 24 kbps on noisy copper, and I don't have to move back to the city to get broadband speed. Right now, I have the best of both worlds. All I need is to get IPsec working for my day job, and it will be perfect.
Big thumbs up to Wildblue, NRTC, the local coop and the installer. They promise, and they deliver.
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Review by MO Hillbilly
Posted: 4 years ago
member for 4 years, 4 visits, last login: 3.9 years ago
Halltown,Lawrence,MO
Contract price not specified.
"Great install, Great connection and great surfing"
"None experienced yet"
"Recommend for any rural area where no DSL is available"
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Had Wild Blue for about a week, I have basic service and experiencing 470+ kbps down and 114+ kbps up speed consistently. Install was excellent from Countyside Satellite, Grove Oklahoma. Service is through Lake Regional Electric Co-op out of Tulsa, OK.
For those of us in very rural areas (so deep in the Ozark Hills the sun don't shine until after 10 am in the winter) this is a fantastic option vs. dial-up.
Price- $49.95 month
Time from order to install- 3 weeks
Install time- 2 hours (did pole set myself)
Equipment appears 1st class and includes power surge protector.
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Review by bfears
Posted: 4 years ago
member for 4 years, 2 visits, last login: 4 years ago
Eagle,Clinton,MI
Contract price not specified.
"Marginally better than dialup."
"Inconsistent speeds, frequent disconnects"
"I hope you have better luck than I did."
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I've had Wildblue satellite service for approx. 2 months now. During the first 3-4 weeks, everything seemed fine - reliable connection, decent speed. Since then, I'd rate my dial up as being a better value. The NRTC installer who put the system in has been to my house 3 times now. Each time something new is replaced, but it doesn't fix the speed problems. Upload speeds are terribly inconsistent, but normally range from 8kbps to 25 kbps (yes, that's a small "b"). My dialup runs 50 kbps...
Incidently, I'm a network administrator with a B.A. in computer networking, just in case you're reading this thinking "this fool has no idea what he's talking about."
When the installer tests the upload speeds, he uses Toast.net, which is unreliable from the posts I've read here at BBR. Each time I ask him to use a different speed test, he does, and it displays it's true, slow speed, but the installer insists that Toast.net is what they were told to use. "I don't know" is his normal response when I ask him why Toast.net is the ONLY speed test that seems to think the connection is fast. Then he leaves, because Toast.net says it's fine, even though every other test says it's running like a slug.
I will continue to call WB each time I get frustrated from here on out, since neither the installer nor WB tier 2 support seem to take my word for it that something is not right. If they can't get the issue resolved within another month, I will demand that they remove the equipment and let me out of my 12 month contract.
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Review by PDXPLT
Posted: 4.1 years ago
member for 5.9 years, 1807 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Banks,Washington,OR
Contract price not specified.
"1.5Mbps down & 256Kbps up, just about anywhere!!!"
"Can take a while to schedule install; some equipment scarce but getting better"
"Best BB solution if cable, DSL, and WISP are unavailable"
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I wanted a pole mount, and it took three tries at scheduling before they had the equipment in stock. Actual installation only took about 2 hours.
No host software required; unlike services such as Starband. So using it with a router for multiple computers is a piece of cake.
If dial-up, ISDN, DirecWay or Starband are your only other choice, this is the best alternative.
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Review by mnguru
Posted: 4.1 years ago
member for 4.7 years, 165 visits, last login: 3.2 years ago
Brainerd,Crow Wing,MN
Contract price not specified.
"Quick Painless Install"
"Hidden Charge"
"Great speed/value if you live in the stix"
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Wildblue is the only option for this location being 12 miles from the central office. At 49.99/mo. Its not a bad price for the speed. Rated at upto 512k down / 128k up we are pulling speeds near or slightly above the 500k mark and pushing up near 100k. (Adjusted MTU)
It was just installed this afternoon so we are yet to see an average of those speed results.
The order was placed on Tuesady and Installed Friday afternoon. We were connected to the service in under 2.5hrs. The only negitave so far is they wanted $100.00 to install the mounting mast (hidden fee).
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 Review by freightliner
Posted: 4.1 years ago
member for 6.2 years, 334 visits, last login: 57 days ago
Granite Falls,Snohomish,WA
Contract price not specified.
"great speed, package & service"
"commisioning, equipment availibility"
"good deal"
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Value Pak 512 down-128 up for 49.99
I live in the sticks and I needed a pole install because of LOS issues with the treeline. Installer did a site survey and told me where to put the pole. I was the second ever WildBlue install for a very seasoned satellite tech. He impressed me with his knowledge of the technology and his calm attitude when commisioning the service became difficult.
Satellite modem is bigger than I thought! Power brick is enormous! Very nice finish and quality. Dynamic IP although static is on the way I hear.
I waited for 3 years to get setup after moving from the city to a new house in the woods. Before I moved, Verizon took my order and set up an install for DSL that could never happen - I have been on dialup ever since - Thank goodness for WildBlue.
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Review by didadeda
Posted: 4.1 years ago
member for 4.1 years, 15 visits, last login: 4 years ago
Poulsbo,Kitsap,WA
Contract price not specified.
"Great speeds for the 1000K/200K plan and great month rate"
"mixed messages on term of account/overall high install fee"
"I live in the country and its great for my high tech hobbies"
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North Poulsbo, Washington:
Pre-Op- No Cable, No ADSL, Was with IDSL (for 109.00 per month)
Post-Op-Sales was great (69.00 per month), Ordered on a Thursday, installer came to my door on Saturday.
Watch out for the additional fee for driving 75.00 and the charge for a pole mount 150.00.
About the term of account Wild Blue said it was a year commitment, Plumas Sierra said it was 24 months.
The installer originally connected the modem to my laptop (so he could watch the lights on the modem). Then I hooked it up to my Linksys router, and now I have to type in full web addresses, in addition, my favorites connect only 50% of the time. Tonight, I will direct connect our main computer to the modem and see if it is a router problem/setting. If anyone knows about this setting please let me know.
10/6/05 Connected main computer without router and issue of connection went away. Im 1000K down and 190k down with 570ms latency.
Plumas Sierra maintains its statement of a 24month contract.
The Contract is for 24 months 69.00 per month for the 1000K/200K plan
Update 10/10/05- Changed router's DNS setting and issue of connection cleared up. Whole house is networked now both WIFI and Wired to the downstairs media center edition.
I am very please with my satellite service. It now works consistantly well.
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Review by schkube
Posted: 4.1 years ago
member for 4.1 years, 0 visits, last login: 4.1 years ago
Goodview,Bedford,VA
Contract price not specified.
"Connection speed, standard networking, installation"
"Back-log in getting system, moderate latency"
"Beats other satellite offerings by miles and best solution for me!"
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Finally got my WildBlue installed and am ecstatic with it so far! The connection speed is as advertised for the package I purchased (Pro-1500/256, 12 month contract) and latency is tolerable (avg 600ms). The fact that it uses a standard cable-style modem that plugged right into my D-Link home fixed/wireless router is a huge plus.
WildBlue is an upgrade from dial-up and a previous install of StarBand (got out of that last February after their satellite difficulties/re-balancing.) There is really no comparison between the WildBlue setup and the StarBand "setup". Additionally, the installer (I used a Co-op) was very knowledgeable in the getting the line into the house and hooked up -- not so sure what they are telling them as far as Windows XP configuration, but that is just fine with me, I was able to correct settings after the fact. Compared with the last StarBand re-pointing experience I had, this install was a dream! I feel like the installers actually like this product.
Anyhow, I live out in the country with no cable, no DSL and (close but) no canopy wireless. I have fought with Verizon for the last 5 months to get DSL considering that my closest neighbor (about 100 yards) has DSL. My forehead is still sore from bumping into the brick wall of Verizon Online and am happy to leave them behind. Using T1 and DSL at work, WildBlue shows the latency as expected, but it is *by far* the best home solution for me.
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Review by (hidden by request)
Posted: 4.1 years ago
(review was emailed from domain ecewb.com)
Preston,Okmulgee,OK
Contract price not specified.
"Cordinated Install, High Speed connect after all, Good Support,"
"Confused the initial account type with that ordered and Was corrected in two days."
"So far would do it again.. this is the boonies you know.."
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I am new to Wild Blue.
Had been watching Starband, Directway etc while building our house in
the Boonies... ( Oklahoma ) I went so far as to take every test I could, to install the service myself and save a few bucks...
Having Had DSL in town for Literally years I suffered withdraws a dialup person
couldn't understand. But we all do !!
After Nine Months of No High speed, Wife and I bit the bullet..
Ordered the Wild Blue System from the Local Coop! East Central Electric and we are now happy Campers!
We ordered it about a week prior to the install of the Dish. Installers were easy to talk to. I learned more than I expected.
I wanted the Coax thru the attic as I did not want it laying in the yard, or even buried and since I love saving a buck.. They peeled off 75 foot of cable and I ran it.
After the dish was installed on the roof, they went to one of the compters and Installed the Modem... about 20 min later they packed up and left.. And we had internet.
Only one problem occured to my knowlege and with the help of the Tech support people has been resolved...
Initially we ordered the Select package... but after the install we noticed about 90 K up and 444 or so down. They gave us Value package by mistake.
After research we noticed the mistake ... Wrong Package. Well happy to report after two days and the signal sent from NOC we are now downloading around 900 kbps and uploads are 177 or so, as expected..
The technology that is being used was different than expected and seems thus far to work great.
We have not incured a rainy, snowy or very overcast day yet. So we are eager to see how the unit performs in those conditions.
Keep you posted...
Nogotee
Now where is the money for those interior doors?
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