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Review by satmanmo 
Posted: 55 days ago
member for 55 days, 12 visits, last login: 1 days ago
 Portageville,New Madrid,MO
 Contract price not specified.
 "Awhole lot better than Dial-up"
 "weather at the gatways"
 "I like it just fine."
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I checked into Hughs,and WildBlue.I am on the Pro Plan.Speeds are apparently as promised,both up and down.Customer service has been nothing short of courteous,and extremely helpful.I have no complaints whatsoever.
Followup comments:  zalternate
join:2007-02-22
BC
 ·TELUS
| which satellite? Did you get put onto the new satellite?
A third satellite that is now being loaded with users, EchoStar’s AMC-15.
»wildblue.com/company/doPressRele···aseID=62
Denver, CO – WildBlue Communications today announced the successful start of broadband service on a third satellite, EchoStar’s AMC-15. The new satellite, will serve customers in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and Arkansas.
--
Consumer Rights is more than just a suggestion. | |
| | satmanmo
join:2009-09-28
Portageville, MO | Re: which satellite? I am on WB-1.Gateway Laredo,beam -not sure.I have been a customer since 9/18/08.I am currently on the Pro plan. | |
| | | micwa
join:2009-01-13
Seminary, MS | Re: which satellite? Oh my! A good review.
What shall we ever do... | |
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Review by micwa
UPDATED: 70 days ago
member for 313 days, 40 visits, last login: 13 days ago
Seminary,Covington,MS
Contract price not specified.
"Up to advertised speeds, great tech support with an official help forum"
"Not really "bad" as much as necessary -- but the FAP of course. Ping times are sometimes too high, even for satellite."
"It is great for those with no high-speed alternative."
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January - September 2009
After having suffered with dial-up and then HughesNet’s (then DirectWay), grueling technical support, outrageous & pricy modem "upgrades" from 2005-08, non-advertised speeds, a 300MB DAILY cap -- WildBlue is a dream come true.
Ordering
I ordered the Select Pack January 2009 through »www.mybluedish.com, which who was VERY nice and helpful. They answered all of my questions honestly and thoroughly. WildBlue was having a special of a $99 installation (compared to ~$300). However I was informed upfront I would have to have a custom installation (which I already knew); which was a pole mount. I told them that I already had a pole [mount] outside left from HughesNet. The sales rep at mybluedish was not sure it would be up to WildBlue standards and would have to ask my local installation company for further information. When I asked them, luckily they said that it could be used, although the cables could not. Consequently, that saved me custom installation charge.
Installation
The installer came out the day after UPS shipped the equipment and begin working immediately. It took about a couple of hours to get it up and running. Before I ordered I had already been on the WB official forums asking what to expect and not expect from the installer, as a precaution. Pro Tip: Don’t believe an installer if he says you must wait 24 hours before you get your advertised speeds. WildBlue has been progressing to wean out these type of "installers" Of course my installer didn’t tell me that and even did a speed test result to prove my speeds before he left, as they SHOULD do. Thank god WildBlue has an official forum with active employees (and experienced volunteers & dealers) that provides support.
Service & Speeds
I have had no problems with the TRIA, modem, billing, or service to date. I’ve always gotten up to advertised speeds and even at times above advertised speeds with the exclusion of the general peak time slow down (late afternoons) – but only by 200kbps. It only "goes out" when there is a thunderstorm in the Line-of-site OR at my satellite’s gateway (mine being WB1 Duluth). Occasional showers (and even in the rare event of a snow fall here) has had no effect.
FAP
Wildblue’s FAP is more for my surfing needs (compared to the competitor), if that makes sense. It’s a 30 day rolling FAP, so what you do today will roll off in the next month (of the same day) if you don't exceed that day's amount. If you do go OVER 100% you are throttled down to ~128kbps and will most likely have no service during peak times (as clearly stated on their webpage and the contract you sign) until you drop below 80%. How long you are throttled depends on your surfing behavior the prior month. It is recommended that you use a 3rd party tool to monitor your usage in addition to checking with the usage page.
But you can't depend on WildBlue's (or whoever you purchased from) statistics, as it's not in real-time. I have noticed some users have purchased a router that records your usage better than programs like NetMeter. I have "hit" FAP 2 times since signing up, while on HughesNet it seemed to be a constant thing. At least WildBlue emails you once you exceed 80% of your usage. I understand why satellite (and WISP) ISPs must have such a policy. Although I do admit the current FAP limits can be dreary, esp. when there are enormous software updates/upgrades, driver updates, Xbox Live/PSN/game updates, movies/TV, online radio, YouTube (lol), etc. More detailed info is at »www.wildblue.com/fap
User Tools
WildBlue has user tools such as the Optimizer and Pulse. The Optimizer just configures your browsers to use the WildBlue proxy. It has its uses, but is known to cause problems with certain sites. The Pulse tool is new and still in beta. More info can be found here: »www.wildblue.com/pulse
Conclusion
Keep in mind that satellite internet is only for those with no alternative and you can NOT jump in expecting DSL/cable-like service. If you do, you will be disappointed and end up being, yet another, trying delusional complainer that plague these forums. If a friend’s only choice was either dial up or satellite, I would totally recommend WildBlue. Which would be icing on the proverbial cake, since Wildblue has a Refer a Friend program. 
-Mike
Also, check out »www.wildblueworld.com. WildBlue's OFFICIAL forum.
last updated 9-9-09
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Review by pheasantDr
UPDATED: 82 days ago
member for 82 days, 0 visits, last login: 82 days ago
Hinton,Summers,WV
Contract price not specified.
"downloads are great - lots better than Hughes"
"uploads are extremely slow"
"if you're browsing/gaming/movie watching, it's for you."
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Started with Hughes.. good to start then degraded to awful.
Tried Wldblue biggest load.$85/mo. Install took a while to coordinate due to boondocks location. Reinstalled to eliminate electrical interference.
Got good tech support and good results.
Getting around 1.5mb down but only 75 kb up.
Does my job.
Followup comments: jameswade
join:2001-12-09
Hot Springs, NC
 ·US Cellular
·Verizon BroadbandA..
·AT&T Southeast
| "if you're browsing/gaming/movie watching, it's for you." Did you mean to say this?
"if you're browsing/gaming/movie watching, it's for you."
I understand the browsing part, but I'd expect delays in online gaming and I'd expect to hit FAP pretty quickly watching movies online. Or has something changed? | |
| | billko
join:2007-07-16
Tunkhannock, PA
·FrontierNet Intern..
| Re: "if you're browsing/gaming/movie watching, it's for you." said by jameswade :Did you mean to say this? "if you're browsing/gaming/movie watching, it's for you." I understand the browsing part, but I'd expect delays in online gaming and I'd expect to hit FAP pretty quickly watching movies online. Or has something changed? Actually the only thing out of the three mentioned as "good" that I can actually see as being "good" would be movie watching.
With a 1.5 - 2.0 SECOND lag time (the time between requesting information and actually getting it), can you imagine an online news site that has to load ten stories and ten pictures? It would take a 40 seconds just asking for content! And for gaming? If it took me two seconds to notice someone standing in front of me with a gun and another two to try to shoot him... guess who wins?
At least with movies, it's streaming so you only have to ask for stuff once... but then you run into FAP issues like you said.
So I guess... it's good for nothing. | |
| | | jameswade
join:2001-12-09
Hot Springs, NC
·US Cellular
·Verizon BroadbandA..
·AT&T Southeast
| Re: "if you're browsing/gaming/movie watching, it's for you." If we didn't have Internet access via cell site (EVDO) I'd definitely get satellite. And it would be Wild Blue.
I'm sure that I wouldn't be happy with it though!
From my experience email and light web browsing works fine as the latency only hurts when asking for things. When you ask for web site images you have the round trip delay of a second or two, but then page starts flowing in quickly.
What gets you interactivity like interactive web sites, gaming, VOIP, and VPN.
Streaming audio and video should work well until you hit the FAP.
said by billko :said by jameswade :Did you mean to say this? "if you're browsing/gaming/movie watching, it's for you." I understand the browsing part, but I'd expect delays in online gaming and I'd expect to hit FAP pretty quickly watching movies online. Or has something changed? Actually the only thing out of the three mentioned as "good" that I can actually see as being "good" would be movie watching. With a 1.5 - 2.0 SECOND lag time (the time between requesting information and actually getting it), can you imagine an online news site that has to load ten stories and ten pictures? It would take a 40 seconds just asking for content! And for gaming? If it took me two seconds to notice someone standing in front of me with a gun and another two to try to shoot him... guess who wins? At least with movies, it's streaming so you only have to ask for stuff once... but then you run into FAP issues like you said. So I guess... it's good for nothing. | |
| | | | micwa
join:2009-01-13
Seminary, MS | Re: "if you're browsing/gaming/movie watching, it's for you." Satellite is only for those with no alternative.
Widlblue makes is quite clear on their website, that gaming, VoIP, VPN is NOT recommend and is not supported. | |
| | | | billko
join:2007-07-16
Tunkhannock, PA
·FrontierNet Intern..
| said by jameswade :If we didn't have Internet access via cell site (EVDO) I'd definitely get satellite. And it would be Wild Blue. I'm sure that I wouldn't be happy with it though! From my experience email and light web browsing works fine as the latency only hurts when asking for things. When you ask for web site images you have the round trip delay of a second or two, but then page starts flowing in quickly. What gets you interactivity like interactive web sites, gaming, VOIP, and VPN. Streaming audio and video should work well until you hit the FAP. Actually, even email is a drag if you get lots of email (equals lots of requests). 
But I know that sometimes satellite is the only thing available. I was in that boat for some time before DSL came available. | |
| zalternate
join:2007-02-22
BC
·TELUS
4 edits | Monthly FAP policy I hope you know that there is a monthly FAP policy.
And if you go over it watching movies, you will be throttled back in speeds until you hit 70% of allowed monthly FAP MB limit. Which is about two weeks until return to full speeds, with very light use.
From WildBlue.com
Do you limit heavy bandwidth users?
Similar to other Internet Service Providers, WildBlue manages its network through a Fair Access Policy so that extraordinary usage by a few customers doesn't negatively affect the normal usage of other customers. For the vast majority of users, the Fair Access Policy has no effect on their usage. For a few very heavy bandwidth users who exceed the Fair Access Policy’s thresholds, the system will restrict their speeds until their usage falls below the threshold. See WildBlue's Fair Access Policy for details.
FAP policy. Link goes to a PDF.
»wildblue.com/legal/fair.jsp
And then the ping times or Lag is roughly about 1000ms(1 second), as per forum posters posts. Not very good for gaming for first person shooters. Possibly you may be on a less used beam? But on the more populated beams, ping times can rise when beam reaches users online saturation.
And no overnight FAP free time on WildBlue.
--
Consumer Rights is more than just a suggestion. | |
| | micwa
join:2009-01-13
Seminary, MS
 ·WildBlue
| Re: Monthly FAP policy Everyone should already know that before signing up.
WB uses a 30 day rolling FAP. What you did a month today, will roll off. That doesn't mean it takes 2 weeks, sometimes it may take a day, sometimes a few days, sometimes a few weeks. It depends on what kind of usage you have been racking up.
Again, WB makes it clear that gaming, VoIP, VPN is NOT supported or recommended.
No overnight FAP and no daily 300MB cap.  | |
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 Review by btweenhills
UPDATED: 96 days ago
member for 3.7 years, 19 visits, last login: 96 days ago
Naples,Ontario,NY
Contract price not specified.
"no longer active"
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N/A
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Review by Cruiser98z
Posted: 105 days ago
member for 105 days, 1 visits, last login: 98 days ago
Cynthiana,Harrison,KY
Contract price not specified.
"A lot faster than dial-up, only option for rural living."
"Heavy rain/snow blocks the signal, lose connections."
"If dsl or cable not available, this is the best option."
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We had some trouble in the beginning, had a lot of down time. When we finally got someone out here who knew what they were doing, it improved 90%. The issue was
bad installation, and the cable run was way too long. Keep the cable run short, grounded correctly, and you should get good service. The technicians have a lot of tools available
to check your equipment, so don't let them b.s. you. We even get reception in a medium
rain now because it is set up right. Heavy rain/snow will block it out, but usually not for a very long time. I wasn't too crazy about how they handled phone calls in the beginning, but I've seen some improvement in that area. We get close to the speed we ordered, 1mb. I usually run 850 to 980 in speed test. I did some tweaking with the computer too, and that helped as well. Got rid of junk running in the background I didn't know was there. If we had only gotten a good install from the get go, I would give Wildblue a higher rating. I guess it's not really their fault, they can't watch each installer do his job. It only shows when you want to get on the net.
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Review by sliketyrik
Posted: 176 days ago
member for 196 days, 2 visits, last login: 162 days ago
Portageville,New Madrid,MO
Contract price not specified.
"It does pretty much what it is supposed to do."
"Fap policy,weather woe's"
"It works very well,and is fairly reliable."
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It came down to WildBlue,or Hughs.I chose the WlidBlue becuse of the lower initial cost for installation.I started with the "Value"(cheapest)package,but soon upgraded to the"Select" package.Over-all,I have had very good expeirience with customer support,and technical support.The Fap Policy sucks,but that is what you get with satelite.I was pleasantly surprised that they offer a Dial-up service to suplement your downtimes.It costs you extra,but not any more than a different Dial-up provider.
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 Review by hdman
UPDATED: 180 days ago
member for 5.9 years, 2083 visits, last login: a few hours ago
New London,Waupaca,WI
Contract price not specified.
"The electrical co-op, the installer, WB and NRTC support on site"
"1st installation for local coop, used wrong cable, delayed 2 weeks"
"Strong, fast signal, great local support from coop, tad expensive compared to DSL"
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I volunteered to be the first person to have WildBlue from my local co-op out of Iola, Wisconsin. They kept me in the loop with release, and equipment delays during the months that followed my agreement. Once the install began, we could not provision the modem. The co-op is Mid-Wisconsin DBS and the installer was from Alcom out of Manawa. The installer and I both figured the modem was bad. This was a Monday. On Saturday, he returned with 2 modems and spare "tria" or feedhorn. We had no luck, and a terrible experience with the people manning the phones at WildBlue, so he left VOWING to return with answers. Boy, he was not kidding. A week later on a Monday, 2 weeks after he started, he returned with an Engineer from WildBlue and one from the NRTC. In less than an hour, they learned that the installer had used the wrong cable, and that the dish was on too weak of a pole. They had the new cable installed, the modem provisioned, and were on their way within that hour. The brain power at my home was staggering when you consider I was a single joe schmoe customer with a $299 install and a $49.99 package. There will be people who will say "WildBlue will die if they have that big of an expense on too many houses...", but these are learning pains. I agreed to it when I signed up for it and the installer NEVER gave up. The experience with WB, NRTC, the co-op, and the installer were excellent. I dinged this review a little on tech support only because of the problem we had with WB on the phone on a Saturday. Other than that MINOR issue, it was AWESOME.
I also dinged the "value" part of this review because it is still $49 per month for 512/128, or about 3 times more than DSL....but this is all I can get, so the value is higher for me. For others, it would be lower.
UPDATE: Well, here we are one year later (almost). Being one of the first users of WB was a huge risk, but looking back it was the best risk I ever took with regards to isp's. I have been blessed with great service, great speed, few small issues, but nothing major and certainly less headaches than any other isp I ever had including dial up. I would suggest WildBlue to ANYBODY who asked, but I would always add the caveat that good performance is directly related to a good installation from a good installer. The service rocks, and the NRTC service line rocks as well. Great job WildBlue!!!! - HDMan
UPDATE: About 18 months ago, EVDO became available through Alltel. Now that Verizon bought them, I sure wish I had kept WildBlue. I truly had NO issues with WB, but I would be nervous to go back to them based on the reviews lately. The ONLY way I would do it is through my local NRTC Co-op.
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 Review by Earth Signal
UPDATED: 227 days ago
member for 7.1 years, 3162 visits, last login: 2 days ago
Burlington,Des Moines,IA
Contract price not specified.
"Download speeds are as advertised 90% of the time"
"Upload speeds are as advertised 90% of the time"
"Three years of excellent service"
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After having Direcway from 2002 to 2005 this is a dream. The speeds are as advertised for the Select Pak. I called and five days later it was installed and working. The installer knew his job and did it promptly. Two and half hours after he arrived it was up and running, including a wireless router install. The administrative page is easy to use and offers many features. Last two days had freezing rain and snow and no loss of connection or slow down. The install was free through the local NRTC and the installer used my existing pole mount. Thumbs up to Wildblue, NRTC, the local coop and the installer.
Nov. 2006 the pings and latency increased after they made some changes, pings are up from around 600 to 1100. See attachment for pings prior to change.
April 2009 the system is still running great. Only one problem in over three years and it was fixed within 24 hours. After the tech checked the system from end to end it was determined the modem was failing on the upload side. Replaced the modem no charge for the modem or service call. I have installed dd-wrt on my Linksys router to be able to keep track of usage. This software allows one to keep track of usage of all computers on a network and is keeps up to date totals without the need to go to the WB usage page.
Attachments:
Followup comments: 
amd
@wildblue.net
|  Upload Speed?
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Earth Signal
Earthsignal
Premium
join:2002-10-03
Burlington, IA
·WildBlue
| Re: Upload Speed? Secure sites are always much slower than other sites. Try testing at »www.testmy.net/ and use one of the larger upload test file. While WB does use the Toast site they also use other tests. Depends on who you talk to. Most of the test sites you mentioned do not work well with satellite. Don't get your large "K" and small "k" confused when testing. Keep in mind that 203 Kbps and 25 kB/s is the same thing.
Try going to the WildBlue forum and you might find some helpful information there. »wildblueworld.com/forum/
--
Ron ~ Wildblue Select Pak since 01-2006, Anik F2 Beam 26, service through NRTC, Dell XPS, 2Gig Ram, XP Pro, Router DD-WRT- WRT54GL, Laptop, XP home | |
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Review by jaywkay
Posted: 280 days ago
member for 1.5 years, 6 visits, last login: 280 days ago
Bay City,Bay,MI
 Business customer
Contract price not specified.
"It's broadband when you have no other choice."
"Slower during peak hours"
"It's worth every penny when nothing else but dial-up is available."
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I have no other options except dial-up and satellite. I am running a business out of this location and dial-up just won't do the job. Only have two choices, Wild Blue or Hughes. Everyone in this area is cancelling Hughes because it is even slower than dial-up. Due to oversubscription? Not sure why, just know everybody is unhappy with Hughes around here. I would love to have cable or DSL, but all vendors say it will never happen in my lifetime. Thank goodness satellite internet, or I would not even be able to run my business. Too bad about the lag though, no on-line gaming. Couldn't do that on dial-up anyhow though.
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Review by hpurcell
Posted: 319 days ago
member for 3.8 years, 5 visits, last login: 314 days ago
Marshall,Madison,NC
Contract price not specified.
"fast, reliable, good customer service"
"none"
"Excellent for me for three years in western NC"
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I've have the medium speed service, 1 gb download speed for $70 a month for three years. There is an outage less often than once a month, lasting from a few minutes to a couple of hours. Heavy rain of course will defeat it for a while.
I had an equipment problem once and they were there the next day with a replacement modem, with no charge.
This is likely a "franchise" operation, so a bad experience in one area of the country doesn't translate into another area.
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