Wi-Fi in the sky

Hughes Network Systems launched today a Wi-fi service that originates from satellites circling as high as 24,400 miles above the earth.

The geostationary satellites rotate in sync with the earth and so appear to be stationary in the sky.

The satellite service called Direcway will be sold as a backhaul solution to wireless service providers and to companies looking to offer wireless Internet service to customers in areas that traditional backhaul service providers cannot reach.

According to Mahessh Bhave, vice president for new business development at Hughes in Washington, Hughes will target RV parks and mariners in its first efforts with a leased service to private companies also on the list of potential customers.

The peak downlink is 600Kbps to 1Mbps while the uplink is 30Kbps to 80Kbps, according to Bhave. However, uplink and downlink performance is dependent on the number of simultaneous users, peak busy hours, and the quality of service that providers select.

The Hughes wholesale service uses geostationary satellites which transmit to a local provider's satellite dish connected to a Hughes terminal. The terminals in turn are connected to access points. To the end-customer with a wireless card in a laptop, the service will perform like any other Wi-Fi service.

The satellites also communicate with Hughes network operation centers which will handle management, subscriptions, and billing.

Service is available now with a number of pilot programs already under way at RV parks in Southern Calif.

Hughes Network Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Electronics. HNS is also a manufacturer of DirecTV satellite television receivers.