If your organization operates in remote areas and requires internet access to support its communications and administrative infrastructure, then you need to know how to find a mobile satellite internet provider with the reach and the capacity to serve your organization’s needs. That means one with cost effective plans that don’t wind up running you into overages or slowing down your ability to communicate. It also means working with professionals whose equipment is capable of adapting to your changing location as you need to move. Whether it’s because you are on an ocean-going vessel or you are on land and moving encampments, your internet service needs to be there when you need it for you to get work done.
What to Look For in Mobile Satellite Internet Service
The first thing to do is to sit down and realistically assess the data needs of your organization, so that you can make a plan for the service package you need to find and the budget you have. That will let you find a best fit for your needs. Then, it’s time to go looking at the available providers. If you find a top-tier service that has an established infrastructure, chances are they will also understand the great diversity of their own customer base, leading them to provide a large number of service plans for you to match against your own needs.
As you research these options, it’s also worthwhile to look into the company, the same way you would for any other subcontractor or supplier. What you need to look for is their service reliability, uptime, and ability to provide consistent support for customers like you. Their established company history can help communicate this to you, as can any available reviews of their services or professional recommendations through trade associations.
Signing Your Contract
Once you settle on a mobile satellite internet service provider, be aware that you will most likely be signing up for a contract that will run for at least two years. This provides both you and your service provider with the assurance of continued service throughout that time, but it also means you need to be sure that you have the plan and the provider that will give you the best possible service. That means your decision-making process leading up to that final decision needs to be thorough, and you need to have a good model for your internet access needs going in.
What to Expect After Service Starts
Since satellite internet service is more expensive for the bandwidth, a good business class provider will be most likely ask you to use some form of managed services to prevent bot traffic and other extraneous network traffic on your devices. They will also most likely have tools to help you optimize your access technology, and it will take some time to test in those services. Be prepared to work the kinks out during that time, and make sure you include the availability of technical support during that testing in phase when you consider the pros and cons of each service provider. That way, you know you are getting exactly what your company needs.