| Living off of the grid doesn't mean what it used | | | | modem, which is connected to your computer. |
| to. While back in the day, you might have had to | | | | However, all of this happens in a split-second, |
| forgo the comforts of the modern world when | | | | while you're too busy typing online to even notice. |
| deciding to get a bit further off the beaten path, | | | | The reason that satellite is such a great idea for |
| now you can enjoy all of the modern technology | | | | those off-the-map is that it instantly makes it |
| that those in cities have, just at a different pace. | | | | easier to stay as connected as you need to, |
| Whether it's being able to watch any television | | | | without taking over your phone line. Since dial-up |
| channel in the world via satellite or managing to | | | | always relies on a physical telephone line, it can |
| order whatever you want off of the internet and | | | | definitely make things a bit more difficult when it |
| have it shipped to your PO box, the world | | | | comes to using the phone but also being on the |
| definitely feels a lot smaller now than ever before, | | | | internet. Satellite internet, by contrast, uses a |
| even to those who are further away from the | | | | separate modem and a dish, meaning that you |
| big city. | | | | can surf the internet and talk on the phone at the |
| The only problem is that technology is meant to | | | | same time. If you don't want to do either, too, |
| be experienced at a faster pace than dial-up, and | | | | you can opt for as little or as much technology as |
| until very recent, many people who live off the | | | | you personally need. |
| grid had only dial-up to choose from. Since most | | | | But there are plenty of reasons to stay |
| broadband and DSL companies aren't interested in | | | | connected, even if you're living far away from a |
| paying the thousands that it takes for them to | | | | major city or even town. Having a reliable and |
| physically extend coverage, this meant that rural | | | | fast satellite internet connection can mean staying |
| web surfers only had dial-up to choose from. | | | | in touch with relatives better and for less money, |
| Thankfully, that's all changed with the introduction | | | | and it can also mean being better informed on big |
| of satellite internet. | | | | weather that might be moving towards you and |
| Understanding how satellite internet works is a | | | | be potentially dangerous. You can also keep up |
| breeze, considering that it operates on the same | | | | with your favorite bands without having to head |
| principles that satellite TV does. You install a dish | | | | to the record store, and find more affordable |
| on your home or property, and that dish | | | | ways of shopping for winter clothing that doesn't |
| communicates with satellites that are perpetually | | | | involve an hour-long round trip in the car. In fact, |
| hovering around the equator. The data is | | | | having the internet can actually make keeping |
| transferred back and forth relatively quickly | | | | your rural life rural a whole lot easier, and having a |
| because it is broken down into encrypted pieces | | | | form of it that is fast enough for modern times |
| that are then reassembled at their point of arrival, | | | | just makes that even more simple. |
| and the signal is brought into the house to your | | | | |