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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the questions most often asked when considering ordering our Satellite Broadband services. Please read through the FAQs before filling in our contact form or calling us on 0870 380 7010 with any unanswered questions, as an answer to your question may be only a click away.

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General

Tariam Service

Installation Issues

Technical Issues

General

1. What is broadband?
Broadband means, very simply, a high-speed connection to the Internet that is 'always on'. It is around 15 times faster than a 56k modem (depending on which satellite package you select) enabling you to view web content and download files more quickly. It's called broadband because it has a much larger capacity to receive (and send) data.

2. How do I choose the service that's right for me?
This will depend on what you will be using broadband for. If you are using it from home or a small office, choosing a service that offers a speed of 512Kbps is ideal for general surfing and emailing. However, if you are downloading lots of videos or sending very large files, it may be better to choose a broadband service with even higher capacity. Please contact us for advice or call us on 0870 380 7010

3. Am I charged for the time my broadband modem or computer is online?
No, with our VSAT broadband packages you'll pay a fixed amount each month, no matter how often you use it. (BGAN services are charged differently).

4. Are there any limitations I should be aware of?
Very few, but satellite technology introduces limitations in certain applications. Unlike some of our competitors, our packages accept direct connection to Macintosh, Linux, Unix or Windows NT operating systems. Our smaller Satellite Broadband packages are not suitable for:

  • Some remote control software and video & voice over IP (VOIP)
  • Heavy uplink traffic, such as Web or FTP hosting
  • Certain VPN applications
  • Online gaming and peer-to-peer networking

These issues can be overcome in our high end products and we are happy to advise on such matters.

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Tariam Service

1. Can I connect more than one user to the service?
Yes. Unlike several of our competitors it is possible to connect the equipment directly to a router, or other network LAN devices, to share the connection with other users. Our suggested user limits are published on our price list.

2. Can I use this equipment with my Apple Mac or Linux computer?
Yes. With all our services connection via non Microsoft Windows platforms is straightforward.

3. What connection speeds should I expect?
The speed of connection will vary depending on the package you select.

Our iaccess and iconnect products can operate between 1024/512Kbps right up 2048/2048Kbps and beyond.

Speeds experienced will be governed by levels of Internet usage or congestion outside our satellite network as with any other connection to the internet.

4. Are there limits to how much data I can transfer?
No. Unlike most of our competitors, there are no download limits on our standard services. Tariam do employ a Fair Use Policy. In summary this means that during peak usage times, extremely heavy users of the service may experience some reduction in their connection speed, ensuring an equitable access for all users throughout the day. This is reset every three hours on our cheaper systems, and doesn't operate at all outside UK business hours.

5. Are email and other services included?
Yes. Tariam offer an SMTP email server address for users to send email because most ISP or hosting companies will not allow email sending from users that do not connect using their system.

6. I've heard of latency issues with satellite - what does this mean?
Due to the distance traveled by the signal to/from your computer and the Internet Hub via the satellite, some older satellite technologies exhibited a noticeable lag between communications. Our Satellite Broadband services employ software techniques to minimise this lag, including an Internet Protocol Accelerator, IPA. In use, when a web page is requested for example, the IPA strips out surplus protocol data and requests, and retrieves the page in fewer larger 'pieces', than a typical dialup connection for example, which assembles the page piece by piece. Similarly this technique is ideal for handling large file or email downloads.

7. Can I make phone or fax calls over the service?
Our iaccess and iconnect packages do support Voice over IP, and we can offer you cheap break out to the PSTN network for your non-VoIP-to-VoIP calls.

We also offer simple site hardware that enables analogue voice and fax (as well as data) over our iaccess or iconnect systems, this can be routed to your own PBX for breakout if needed.

We can also assist you in using this hardware to create a free to call, toll quality, calling network over all your sites, whatever connectivity they posses. This is particularly useful for remote sites where satellite is the only connectivity option.

8. Is the equipment/service mobile - can I use it at different locations?
Most of our satellite broadband systems require a fixed base to be able to achieve consistent bandwidth speeds. We can offer the hire of temporary installations which are deployed with their own patio type mounts for short term projects and disaster recovery, and even the fixed systems are easily moveable for temporary deployments.

We can offer gyro stabilised marine and vehicle platforms for our iaccess and iconnect systems; these start at around £9,000.

9. Can I get a connection faster than 512Kbps?
Yes. Higher-level service for corporate and large educational installations are available from Tariam that support large user networks, direct connection to LANs, and connection speeds of up to 18 Mbps downlink and 4.2 Mbps uplink. Pricing is subject to exact configuration required.

10. Will I need to buy any extra software?
As our satellite broadband connections are 'always on', Tariam strongly recommends that you install a (software or hardware) firewall to protect you from any unwanted attempts to access the files on your computer. We also suggest you install quality antivirus software. For example, ZoneAlarm is a handy personal firewall application, free for personal use (see http://www.zonelabs.com). For free antivirus software, you could try AVG (see http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1). You will also need software as for any other service such as your Internet Browser and Email Client Software. Commercial and free packages are available and suitable and we're happy to advise you on this subject. All our satellite broadband connections terminate in a straightforward RJ45 Ethernet connection and so all you need to use the service is a network card in your PC(s), or a router if you plan to share the service over a number of PC's and the appropriate network cables (or a wireless router if that suits your environment).

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Installation Issues

1. Do I require planning permission or other permits?
Though conditions may vary slightly, normally planning permission is not required for the 75cm or 90 cm dish provided you do not have other dishes on your building. If your building is a protected historical building official permits may be required. If your location is within a short distance of an airfield, or similar, special conditions may apply. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the rules and regulations regarding the placement of equipment on the building you occupy. We will try to guide you where possible, but final responsibility rests with you.

2. Do I need my landlord's permission?
If you do not own the building where the equipment is to be installed, you must receive written authorisation from the landlord approving the installation. Tariam may require a copy of same prior to installation.

3. What happens if/when I move?
Moving the antenna/dish to another location, whether on the same building or otherwise, must be undertaken by an approved Tariam installer, and the full costs of removal and re-installation are borne by the customer. Please give careful consideration to the location of your dish to minimise the likelihood of requiring a move. On subscribing to the service you are required to contract the service for a minimum of 12 months - such term must be completed even in the case where you move to another location.

4. Must I purchase the equipment?
To receive the broadband service it is necessary to have the defined equipment. You may purchase the equipment outright at time of order, and we offer short and long term hire on some equipment.

5. How long will it take to get installed and operational?
Soon after we receive your Service Agreement, standing order mandate, and Initial Payment, we will be in touch by phone for a Pre-Installation Survey and to arrange an installation date. Normally, installation will occur within 1 to 4 weeks.

6. How do I know if I have line of sight for the satellite?
In the UK, our iconnect packages usually require line of site to the South, our iaccess systems require line of site to the South East. If you can see a Sky digital dish nearby, this points roughly South East. We have a number of mounting solutions that can deal with sites where line of site to the satellite is awkward. The satellites we use are based over the equator.

7. What does a Standard Installation consist of?
The standard installation allowed for in the Initial Fee is as follows: mounting on a standard brick or block wall at a height reachable on a standard double extension ladder, and not more than 30m from the proposed location of the modem.

8. What equipment do I need for Tariam satellite broadband?
An outdoor unit (comprising a satellite dish and receive/transmit units). Generally we provide a 75cm dish, however in some locations a larger dish may be required to ensure strong signal strength. You will be advised in advance if a larger dish is necessary and if any additional costs apply. Dual Satellite Cable between Outdoor Unit and the special Modem provided.

9. Does the satellite service get affected by weather?
The standard dish installation is designed to withstand 100mph winds. Clouds and showers have little impact on satellite communications. However, torrential rain may cause degraded service in extreme conditions as signals are reflected a little by rain. Our systems automatically increase power levels to compensate for losses.

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Technical Issues

1. Why does ping not work/give very slow response?
With satellite systems there is a certain amount of latency. A network tool like ping typically sends small data packets which accentuates this problem. Try using ping -t -w 2000 'address' to get round this problem. Even so, ping is not a good testing tool for this type of network.

2. What satellites do Tariam's services use?
Our systems use a variety of satellites. We will offer you the best satellite solution we can for your stated needs, and also recommend changes if possible where service levels change or new services become available. We believe that we are unique in Europe in providing this service.

3. How can I check what download/upload performance I am getting?
Contact Tariam technical support on the email address or number given to you at the time of installation, or fill in our contact form.

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