Dave's Review

MotoSAT DataStorm:

Has proven itself once again by bringing a reliable product to the consumer market. It has teamed up with HughesNet (internet service provider) through different VAR's (value added reseller) to give the consumers True 2 way internet service anywhere in the Continental USA, parts of Mexico and Canada. If you need internet service and are tired of waiting in line at telephone connections or trying to find a Digital Cell Phone areas or parking close to heavy traveled traffic lanes for wireless connections at truck stops and RV Resorts then the MotoSAT DataStorm is for you.

The MotoSat DataStorm made up of four components which consist of the antenna itself,  antenna positioner, and a modem for transmit and  receive. These components are tied together via and Ethernet connection through a wireless router delivering the internet connection wirelessly to your computer.

Pointing the antenna is simply pushing the search button on the DataStorm controller or the interface of the D3 from your computer. The controller uses information from the antennas GPS and tilt sensors  and will begin to raise and proceed to find the proper satellite. Finding the satellite is only half of the job, so now so you don't cause excessive interference with other users your antenna will start communicating with the NOC Center (Network Operation Center) Located in Maryland and now also in Las Vegas. It will fine tune your transmitter onto the satellite  and automatically perform a series of test. Once these test and alignments are satisfied the modems will allow you access to the internet. Now you will be online as a hot or always on connection. When it is time to go simply push the  Stow Dish button and the antenna will stow itself and show you when it is stowed.

Currently there are no choice  of what satellite is available for mobile internet service. If you want DirecTV service and you are commissioned on the I8A satellite you will be ok but if you are Dish Network sorry. At this time there is no solution for Dish Network customers.  The problem is that HughesNet is only activating the 7000 modem on the I8A satellite and the only way to get the SatMex5 satellite for Dish Network is with a 6000 modem which has been discontinued. I would suggest a separate antenna for Dish Network or changing to DirecTV.

All mobile platforms are required to have the Business Edition or higher. If you are performing remote desktop or a vpn connection than you will want to request a fixed address to eliminate chatter which is typical on a satellite connection but most people are fine with a Dynamic address. Most mobile users are fine on the standard Business Edition which will support 1 to 3 users on the DW7000 without too many problems unless there all downloading files at the same time which could slow the system down. Generally speaking most people are checking email and basic surfing which uses hardly any bandwidth anyway. HugheNet limits or throttles the available bandwidth on the BE platform to 350mg during a 4 hour window. If you hit this limit you will be limited on downloads for anywhere from 8 to 12 hours.  So unless you are downloading large files, lots of pictures or music you will never hit the FAP (Fair Access Policy) There is however a site  http://customercare.myhughesnet.com/ that you can go to see the amount of bandwidth you are using. This is the perfect system for traveling and small business operations but realize it does have limitations.