What is Tooway™?

Tooway™ is a high-quality, affordable, consumer satellite broadband Internet access for users across Europe.

Why should I get Tooway™?

If you’re faced with the prospect of ‘dial-up-only’ Internet access then Tooway™ is for you. It offers a broadband Internet alternative to homes with low-speed dial-up. Tooway™ changes the price/performance paradigm for consumer satellite Internet access in rural areas across Europe.

What equipment do I need?

All you need is a 68 cm satellite dish for the Ka-band service, or a 96 cm antenna for the Ku-band service, and the Tooway™ modem. No additional software needs to be installed on your computer to communicate with the Tooway™ modem.

Installation

You are strongly advised to have it done by a profesionnal installer. A local installers listing is provided in the "my com2sat" page.

How fast is Tooway™?

There are three different packages with Tooway™ offering various speeds. Our Bronze, Silver and Gold packages are based on the different volumes of data that you wish to download/upload.

Do I need a telephone line?

No, Tooway™ does not require any cable or phone lines as did former satellite-based consumer Internet services.

Are there any minimum requirements for computers?

Not normally, no. Any computer (MAC, Windows or Linux OS) with an embedded network interface card (10/100 Mbps) can be connected to the satellite modem. And more importantly, no additional hardware or computer software is required.

Can I integrate Tooway™ into a network?

Yes, you simply need to connect an IP Router between the network in your home and the satellite modem.

Can I use a wireless home network with Tooway™?

Yes, any Wi-Fi router can be connected to the Tooway™ modem, allowing you to enjoy wireless browsing.

Can I play online games with Tooway™?

In principle yes, but it is not recommended to play so called "Egoshooter" games because of the significantly longer ping times (approximately 600 – 650 ms).

What technology is Tooway™ based on?

Tooway™ is based on ViaSat’s SurfBeam® DOCSIS® two-way broadband satellite system. Unlike other consumer satellite-based Internet services, this system requires no connection via cable or phone lines. The SurfBeam system is well established in North-America with more than 250,000 users. It is a highly scaleable open standards-based platform that lowers the cost of consumer terminals and services significantly by using cable modem networking technology, DOCSIS 1.1, a widely used open standard. To adapt the standard to satellite, ViaSat has developed a satellite air interface that is seamlessly integrated into DOCSIS head-end termination systems.

How long are the time delays with satellite data transmissions?

Geostationary satellites are located in orbit approximately 36,000 kilometres above the equator. A roundtrip time to a satellite for data needs about 250 msec, the 2-way protocol latency is about 700 msec including SurfBeam system latency. To mitigate latency, which would impact on TCP throughput and web browsing speeds, a Performance Enhancing Proxy (PEP) and Web acceleration are integrated into the SurfBeam modem and DOCSIS head-end system.

How stable is the Tooway™ service in bad weather?

At one time heavy rain was thought to be a potential barrier to successful deployment of Ka-band satellite systems. Indeed, the reduction of signal level is so important that it was difficult to guarantee a high-quality service. ViaSat has included in the SurfBeam system satellite air interface technology that mitigates rain fade. The SurfBeam system automatically responds to rain fade with uplink power control and adaptive data coding techniques (Adaptive Coding and Modulation - ACM) that overcome potential outages, while optimising the use of satellite transponder bandwidth. This gives the Tooway™ network higher reliability compared to other two-way consumer satellite services offered in Europe.

What is Ka-band and what are its advantages?

Broadcast satellites principally operate in Ku-band frequencies that have the benefit of offering a broad geographic coverage through a single footprint. Ka-band, which is now beginning to be exploited over Europe, has other benefits: * More Ka-band bandwidth is allocated to each satellite by the ITU (1 GHz per orbital slot) * For dedicated two-way communications, spot beam technology allows extensive frequency reuse, effectively lowering the cost of the spectrum * The larger amount of available bandwidth supports higher transmission rates, supporting higher peak speeds for individual subscribers * The higher Ka-band frequencies allow smaller antennas to be employed for the subscriber equipment * The blanket licensing requirements for subscriber premises equipment can be more easily met with low cost subscriber terminals

Who handles the platform operations?

Located in the SkyPark teleport in Turin, Italy, the platform and hub operations for the Tooway network will be operated by Eutelsat’s broadband subsidiary Skylogic. Skylogic employs more than 50 people on site and operates 14 hubs using capacity on eight Eutelsat satellites. Dedicated staff will work at the teleport to maintain the highest availability of service.

Do I need an authorization to install my dish ?

There is no need for authorization in the general public.
If you are linked to urbanism's rules due to your living place, get information from your town hall or local co-ownership union.

How do I receive the bill ?

To obtain your invoice, you will have to login to your "my com2sat" account using your login and password. Invoice is available for download as acrobat pdf files.

Subscription :

Minimum term : The minimum term is 12 months the first year, and monthly after that. Cancellation must be sent by registered mail 30 days before the end of the subscription.

Cancellation : At the end of the minimum term, cancellation must be sent by registered mail 30 days before the end of the subscription.

After the 12 months minimum term :cancellation must be sent by registered mail 30 days before the end of the subscription.

Are there any limits with applications using TCP/IP ?

There is no limit for ports which use TCP/IP protocol, all known internet applications are compatible with your Com2sat package.

Power Surge Protector :

it is an electrical supply, we advise you to get one to protect your satellite modem, just like any computer equipment.

Satellite Coverage :

We currently offer service to the French metropolitan area, Belgium, Switzerland and next time Spain.

On which satellite is your system pointed ?

On Hotbird 6, 13° East

How about my emails ?

Two answers :

• A third party operator administers your domain and your server, so you check your mails as usual with your parameters.
• You can create a web based email account such as Google or/and Yahoo.

Sat2way™ Com2Sat package does not offer an email service.

How do I change my subscription ? :

You can change your subscription anytime by upgrading or downgrading. Please note that each change will be billed 15 euros TTC

Can I connect multiple computers ?

There is no limit on the computers connected, but you have to use a router because our modem only features one Ethernet (RJ45) plug. Don't confuse unlimited connection with data transferts. With a two-way directional connection, there is a regulation called "FAP" (Fair Access Policy). According to the "FAP" and your package, service will be of optimal quality as long as you are on zone 1. By increasing your zone, your download and/or data upload are limited.

To guaranty the best Internet performance, you have to choose the package that suits your Internet use the best. Contrary to what is often said, there is no unlimited satellite connection without a very high price. However, you can choose an offer with higher quotas or even ask for a custom-made offer.

Can I use Peer2Peer ?

Be careful to Peer2Peer! Our only goal is to give our customers a stable and performing rate. Don't forget you have a STATIC IP. Peer2Peer is data exchange technologie by internet. Internet users must deal with growing problem of overloading banwidth (especially for upload) and connection quality (particularly because of the huge number of simultaneous connections with Peer2Peer. It creates a lack of security, because download data may contain virus or hostile software. It is also using large disk space on company's computers: for a movie, for example, it can take 700 to 1000 Mo !) SAT2WAY doesn't wish to take a position, but our goal is to provide protection answers to companies and customers who trust us.

Don't forget you can use your administrator panel to follow your downloads and uploads to keep an eye on your consumption and be sure that you have the optimal connection.