Satellite Broadband CPE

Hi,

My question is about using Satellite broadband from a customer's point of view.

When someone subscribes to a satellite broadband service, he's obviously to have the CPE (dish and modem) installed at his site and the provider will usually provide the CPE - whether to be be bought or leased by the customer.

My question is, as a subscriber, does one have to source/use the equipment provided by the provider or is it possible to use any vsat dish and satellite modem? I know with free-to-air TV from satellite, we get a dish and a decoder and we're up and running so long as the dish is mounted correctly.

No satellite broadband needs a larger dish, ka-band transceiver and modem.

You can not use an existing sky/freesat minidish. Although with the correct attachment and LNB you can use a Satellite broadband dish to receive Sky/freesat.

Sorry I didn't make this clear - I was not looking at using a TV satellite for satellite broadband, rather, I want to know if for example someone signs up with a satellite broadband provider and instead of using their (the provider's) dish and modem, would source his own ka-band satellite dish and modem (maybe from China). Is this possible? Would it work?

The equipment isn't as expensive as it used to be and can be self-installed (if you feel that you can do this... watch the video!). Actually unless I'm being thick the dish and modem must be included as there is no cost for these??

Have a look at toowaydirect.com as they have options for self-install.

down to the terms & conditions of each I suspect. They won't support 3rd party kit and there are DIY options from sat broadband providers for £50.