On June 8, 2010 Skycasters submitted a proposal in Washington, D.C., for a $5.1 million in ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) funds from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) committee. Project SafetyNet, as we’re calling it, will bring life-saving and economy-stimulating satellite broadband Internet to public safety organizations in unserved portions of rural America. Believe it or not, these police departments, fire departments, EMS and the like are still using dial-up, amateur radio and other last-century technology to access the Internet and communicate with one another. Not good. Here’s how our proposal will change all that. Read the rest of this entry »
Early on the morning of June 26, 2010, Honduras lost a son with great potential: Ian Henry Merriam Rubiano, 38 years old.
Known to family, friends and business associates as Ian Merriam, Ian was an entrepreneur in communications who also took great interest in the leadership of his country, following in the footsteps of his father, Henry Merriam, the Honduran architect, and Tegucigalpa mayor from 1976 to 1980, who in 2001 spearheaded real estate reform in Honduras, writing law and winning grassroots support.
Those of you who know me (or at least know this blog), are aware that I have a great affinity for BGSU, and regularly assist the business school and the marketing department on various topics. Yesterday I was back on campus for Speed Interviews (spring is a wonderful time at BG, by the way). I had a break during the day, and was asked to speak at Mearl Sutton’s Intro Business Class (comprised mostly of freshmen, completing their first year at BG). The following is an excerpt from that presentation:
One of the questions that the class asked me to cover was about traits and qualities I look for in prospective employees. I’m going to spend the majority of my time today on this question, because I think it will be the most helpful to you in the long run. The future – Where I think we are headed – (and the reason why I value these attributes above all others) will not seem revolutionary to you in this room – It will only seem like the norm. It will be the reality in the only business world you will have ever known…
I hope that everyone had a nice Easter Holiday, spent with family and friends. While many of us were wishing each other peace and love in the coming year, at least one of our extended family had the opportunity to turn those feelings into actions.
The following is an email from Tim, who works in our Technical Support department, describing the events of Saturday morning, April 3, 2010, the day before Easter. While I am sure Tim would say he was just “doing what anyone else would have done,” I believe his actions go far beyond that. I would like to thank him and commend him for demonstrating the best of what humanity has to offer to our fellow man.
This is his story, in his words:
I was late this morning because on Route 76 East, a Jeep lost its left front wheel, went over the center divider, and struck a car on the West bound side of the freeway. That car was stopped in the center lane of 76 West just before the Route 8 and I-77 split.
Well, almost.The Winter sun fade means Spring ain’t far behind.
Twice a year, as the Earth’s position in its orbit brings geostationary satellites exactly between the sun and your (and our) satellite dish, the sun overpowers the satellite for several minutes.
The great equalizer.Sun fade affects all industries that use geostationary satellites: radio stations, broadcast and cable TV, military, aid agencies, and broadband satellite Internet , like your business.
Skycasters sends its condolences and well wishes to the people of Haiti.
As earthquake aftershocks continue to affect the region, Skycasters’ Haitian customers will assess their communications links, and we will work with them to reestablish their links as they repoint dishes shaken out of alignment.
Natural disasters are foremost on our minds, as it’s times like this when communications capabilities are needed the most.Whether first responders, or the ongoing operations of governmental organizations or businesses, fast communications during emergency situations is paramount.
I received an email from a colleague this morning, with a seemingly innocuous question.
“How is satellite for streaming applications (e.g. ESPN 360, etc.)?”
As I wrote the answer, I thought that this would be a good topic for a blog.
Strictly from a technical / “does it work” perspective, streaming video works fine over Skycasters’ satellite service. Although I have not tried espn360.com specifically, I don’t see a technical reason why it would not work.
Drove over to Indianapolis last night for a meeting this morning. Department of Homeland Security. I love this biz, we get involved with the coolest projects.
It's my aim to make Skycasters the best darned resource for "internet via satellite" information you can find anywhere on the web. This blog will take us there by creating a dialog around the world about all things "broadband satellite Internet," etc. Keep your eyes on Skycasters!
