Q: What are my PC system requirements?
A: The minimum PC requirements for DIRECWAY are:

•   Pentium II 333 MHz or faster
•   64MB RAM (Windows 98SE and Windows Me); 128MB RAM (Windows 2000)
•   20 MB of free hard drive space
•   Analog modem — used only once for commissioning the account
•   One available USB port
•   CD-ROM drive

Q: What operating systems are compatible with the new DIRECWAY System?
A: Windows 98SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000, and Windows XP.

Q: What is DIRECWAY broadband by satellite?
A: DIRECWAY is the new solution for everyone who is ready for high-speed Internet access. DIRECWAY satellite technology makes high-speed Internet available to everyone in the continental U.S., as long as you have a clear view of the southern sky.

Q: Is DIRECWAY a one-way or two-way system?
A: DIRECWAY Offered through DIRECTV uses the DW4000 two-way system. The DIRECWAY DW4000 Two-Way System allows you to send and receive information via satellite (a.k.a. satellite return). There's no need for the expense of a second phone line or hassles with logging in when you want to get onto the Internet.

Q: How can I/where can I purchase the DIRECWAY system
A: You can order by calling 301-475-3376

Q: If I already have DIRECTV service, do I need to get a new dish for DIRECWAY?
A: The DIRECWAY system requires a unique dish in order to send and receive information via satellite. You can add the ability to access DIRECTV programming to the DIRECWAY dish by purchasing a simple DIRECTV upgrade kit. It is your decision whether to keep your existing DIRECTV dish on your home, or to utilize the one-dish solution from DIRECWAY.

Q: How fast is the DIRECWAY System?
A: The experience with DIRECWAY high-speed Internet is astonishing. When comparing typical activities with a dial-up service, the difference in the amount of time you'll be waiting for what you want is night and day.

• You can download software upgrades in just minutes, versus up to an hour.
  There's no more waiting for Web pages to fully finish loading; they are typically done within a couple of seconds. Getting your favorite song can be done in less than the song's length rather than three times as long.
• As you can see this is a huge improvement...and broadband by satellite is the only high-speed Internet technology that's available everywhere in the continental U.S.!

Q: How fast is DIRECWAY compared to other high-speed services? Aren't they faster?
A: Everyone's Internet technology is based on shared bandwidth, so sometimes one option will allow you to do things in less time than others. But because everyone uses shared bandwidth there's truly no definitive answer.

Also it depends on the web site you are downloading from.  ex. downloading from a Microsoft web site would be considerably faster than from a small business.

Q: What if my computer did not come with a USB port?
A: Many PCs can be upgraded with a USB port. We only recommend adding one if all other minimum PC requirements, listed above, are met in the PC compatibility test.

Q: Can I use a PCI card adapter?
A: No. The DIRECWAY System is only available with a USB connection.

Q: Can I use connect it through my DSL/Router with a WAN connection?
A: Again No. The DIRECWAY System is only available with a USB connection. But you can share your connection on a network.  DSL/Routers cannot be used at all since they are pre-configured with Internet Connection Sharing and a network can only have one device or computer sharing the connection.  Your PC ICS would detect this and disable its sharing capabilities.  Use a Hub or Switch instead.

Q: Do I still need a dialup modem and telephone line?
A: You need a PC modem and connection to a telephone line to activate your system for the first time. After that there is no phone line requirement for normal operation.

Q: What is transmission latency?
A: Latency refers to the time it takes for signals to travel to and from the satellite. This typically creates a sub-second lag. For this reason, DIRECWAY may not be ideal for playing some "twitch-games".

Q: Why is there a requirement that the DIRECWAY system be professionally installed?
A: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that trained professionals install any two-way satellite system.

Q: Can I put this system on a boat or in an RV?
A: No. The DIRECWAY system is for fixed installs only.

Q: Can I run DIRECWAY Offered Through DIRECTV on a small network?
A: Yes, customers can run DIRECWAY Offered through DIRECTV on a small network using such software as Microsoft ICS. Click here for Installation Instructions. Please understand that all computers on this network will be sharing a single connection, and are subject to the Fair Access Policy. Companies should consider DIRECWAY Small Business service to accommodate more demanding needs.
While we will support your main connection to the DIRECWAY system, any customer using third party Networking software (i.e. Microsoft ICS) must direct all support related to questions to the Third Party for software support.
 

Q: Can I directly connect a Mac using DIRECWAY?
A: Not currently.