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| Is
Agristar Global Networks available in my area? If you live in the continental U.S. and have a clear, unobstructed view of the southern sky from a suitable place in which to locate a satellite dish, you can receive Agristar Global Networks. (Common obstructions include buildings, trees, or hills that could block the line of sight between the satellite and your dish.) To subscribe, contact a sales consultant by calling 1-888-777-0440. Or Click here to fill out our Call-Back Request form and a sales consultant will call you at a time that’s convenient for you. How secure is Agristar Global Networks' service? Our satellite transmissions are extremely secure. Hughes Network Systems, Agristar Global Networks’ satellite partner, is one of the leading suppliers of satellite technology to the U.S. Department of Defense and also provides many of the systems used by ATM kiosks and retail franchises that need to send highly sensitive data, such as bank account and credit card information. The satellite transmission itself is encrypted with a 56-bit encryption key and this, in turn, is transferred via an encoded satellite signal which can only be decoded by a key embedded in the satellite terminal during the manufacturing process. Click here to learn more.  |
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What
are the requirements?
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| What
operating systems are compatible with Agristar Global Networks? Our new systems utilize satellite modems which run off their own self-hosted operating systems, so we are now compatible with both Windows and Mac-based computers. |
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| Is
Agristar Global Networks compatible with my Mac? Yes. Please review the computer requirements above for Macintosh systems. |
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| Why
is Mac OS 10.0 not supported? We do not provide support for products that use computer operating systems that are not supported by the system’s manufacturer. Mac OS 10.0 release is not supported by Apple. It is recommended that subscribers upgrade to Mac OS 10.1 or higher, which are supported by Agristar Global Networks. |
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| What
if my computer did not come with a Network Interface Card (NIC)? What can
I do? Many computers can be upgraded with a 10/100 Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC). If you are comfortable with opening your computer and installing hardware, most Ethernet NICs can be self-installed. Check with your computer manufacturer for more information on the right Ethernet NIC for your system. Make sure your NIC is configured for 'auto-negotiate'. Also, if you have an available USB port on your computer, you can purchase a USB Ethernet adapter. This may be easier to install than a PCI card in your computer. For a laptop, you can purchase a standard PCMCIA card that provides an Ethernet connection, or you can purchase a USB Ethernet adapter, as well. We recommend that you upgrade your computer to meet all of the requirements listed above to get the most out of your Agristar Global Networks Internet experience. |
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| Can
I use a PCMCIA card adapter for my laptop? Yes. All you need to connect your computer to our new HN7000 terminal is either a 10/100 Ethernet Network Interface Card or PCMCIA adapter with an Ethernet connector. The system includes an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to the HN7000 terminal. |
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| What
are Agristar Global Networks' connection speeds? Our subscriber download speeds are approximately 25 to 50 times faster than typical rural dial-up. The Star100 and Star200 plans have speeds up to 500 kbps, with the Star300 and Star400 plans having double that throughput (or up to 1 Mbps) due to enhanced capacity features. All Agristar Global Networks plans provide speed levels that enable incredibly fast Internet page loads and the ability to access streaming media at the highest quality levels available on all major multimedia sites. Speed will fluctuate somewhat due to the fact that satellite Internet services, like many broadband services, are on a shared network and thus actual speeds experienced by an individual user are impacted by the overall network traffic at a given time. During high-usage periods, such as when kids get home from school, speeds can be expected to be relatively lower than non prime hours such as early morning or late at night. Click here to learn more. |
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| What
types of agricultural content does Agristar Global Networks provide? In addition to super-fast Internet access, we are the only high-speed satellite service that provides high-quality agricultural information as part of the basic subscription plan. Agristar Global Networks members will have access to the widest possible spectrum of information, programs and services – all geared to the top levels of agriculture. This includes extensive market information, including color charts, text and audio reports updated throughout the day...Animated weather forecasts for the entire U.S...Agricultural news from around the world...Email with 10mb of storage (yourname@agristar.net)...And special pricing on leading agricultural services. Click here to learn more. |
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| What
does my start-up investment include? Agristar Global Networks’ start-up investment includes:
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| Who
installs the satellite system? The Federal Communications Commission requires that all two-way satellite systems be installed by trained professionals. All installations are performed by an FCC-certified two-way satellite installation technician. |
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| What
will the installer do during the installation? Perform a site survey to find the best location for the dish and determine if any nonstandard installation fees will be involved (please see the standard/non-standard installation table below). If additional fees are necessary, the installer will provide you with a checklist or invoice detailing those charges before doing the work. Standard Installation includes:
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| Please note: Your Agristar Global Networks installation is for a Standard Installation, which is described above. Non-Standard Installations may require additional fees for additional work, and these are negotiated and paid to the installer directly. The table below gives examples of Standard and Non-Standard Installations. |
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| If
additional charges are required during installation, do I pay your company?
No. The installer is only contracted by Agristar Global Networks to perform a Standard Installation. Therefore, if additional fees are necessary, you will need to pay the installation technician directly. |
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| How
long will it take for me to receive my system? After you complete your order it typically takes approximately 10 to 15 days to install your system (to order call 1-888-777-0440). You will receive a telephone call from a local installation technician to schedule your installation appointment 3 to 5 days after you place your order. Your installation usually will take place sometime the following week, though this may vary depending on an individual installer’s workload. |
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| Do
I still need a dial-up modem and telephone line with Agristar Global Networks?
No. Our satellite technology is completely independent of telephone lines. So now you won't have to miss important calls when you're surfing the Web and you don't need to shoulder the added expense of an extra phone line for your Internet connection. |
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| Is
technical support included? Yes. Agristar Global Networks has friendly, professional technical support representatives – certified in high-speed, two-way satellite systems – who are available to answer any of your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most problems can be fixed remotely. However, if your problem requires a visit to your home or business, an FCC-certified satellite technician will be dispatched to fix your dish. |
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| How
long is my equipment under warranty? Agristar Global Networks provides a 12-month warranty on all hardware and a 90-day warranty on labor. If the indoor satellite unit is faulty during the warranty period, we will replace free of charge via overnight delivery. Some replacement parts require installation by an FCC-certified installation technician. In these instances, we will arrange to have a certified satellite technician contact you to schedule a convenient time for you to have the replacement part installed. |
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| What
online activities are not optimal with Agristar Global Networks? Your satellite connection is excellent for surfing and basic Internet usage. However, certain time-sensitive Internet applications (VPN applications, NetMeeting, NetPhone, online action games) will not perform their best over satellite due to the ½ second delay caused by the satellite signal traveling through space. This is unnoticeable for general Internet surfing, but time-sensitive applications can show some performance reductions. For information on VPN applications, Click here. |
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| Will
Agristar Global Networks work with RVs and motor homes? Yes, but you need to purchase a fixed-mobile satellite system. Fixed-mobile systems enable subscribers to move from place to place and access Agristar Global Networks once situated in a new location. It is important to note that this is not a fully mobile system and thus can not be accessed while you are moving. Please contact a sales consultant at 1-888-777-0440 for more information about fixed-mobile solutions. |
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| If
I currently have DirecWay, can I receive subscribe to Agristar Global Networks?
No. Only Agristar Global Networks subscribers can receive our agricultural information services. You can buy satellite equipment from a number of sources, but all that buys you is just Internet connectivity alone. We offer much more. Agristar Global Networks subscribers gain access to a global broadband network that is dedicated exclusively to delivering valuable information and services to the top segments of agriculture. We use our own gateways to send agricultural programming that only our subscribers can receive. This includes detailed market data and analyses, sophisticated weather information, breaking ag news, proprietary audio and video programming, and much more. If a subscriber is not set up with Agristar Global Networks, he or she will be unable to view our special agricultural services. If you have DirecWay and would like to convert to our services, contact our main sales number at 1-888-777-0440. Re-pointing fees may be required. |
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| How
is satellite different from a Cable or DSL connection? The big difference between satellite and cable/DSL connections is that satellite is available everywhere. Any location in the continental U.S. with a clear view of the southern sky can receive Agristar Global Networks. Cable and DSL, in contrast, are primarily limited to more populated areas such as suburban and urban cities. In terms of basic Internet connection speeds, satellite downloads are typically faster than DSL and slightly slower than Cable. With upload speeds, satellite is generally slower than DSL and Cable. However the slower upload speed may be almost unnoticeable because typical Internet usage patterns have the vast majority of data sent from the Internet down to the end user (which is a satellite strength), while only minimal bandwidth is required for the user to request this information (keystrokes and mouse clicks). A major benefit that our high-speed satellite service has over DSL and Cable involves the three distinct information delivery routes through which it can coordinate and deliver specifically-targeted information. The three methods of data delivery are:
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| I’m
not in agriculture, but I have difficulty connecting to the Internet. Can
I subscribe to Agristar Global Networks? Absolutely. Though Agristar Global Networks was formed with the connection and communications needs of leading farms, ranches and agribusinesses in mind, its high-speed Internet connectivity helps everyone. All subscriptions also come with access to myAgristar, which will provide you with Web-based email, personal calendar and address book that are valuable to anyone wanting to be better organized. You will, of course, also have access to high-quality agricultural news, markets and weather information provided as part of the basic monthly subscription to all Agristar Global Networks subscribers at no extra cost. You might find this a great way to keep tabs on the world’s most vital industry that provides your daily bread! Note: Plans are underway to provide various types of rural, non-farm information and services relating to gardening, recreation and other categories of rural interest. |
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| What
are the Terms and Conditions for the Agristar Global Networks Network?
See the Agristar Global Networks Subscriber Agreement. |
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