Sharing a Satellite Internet connection | High Speed Internet Connections for Travelers | Forums

New member Leona has a question about satellite internet. 

"My brother and I have cottages in Ontario.  My brother stays at his all year round.  He has had a satellite dish installed for internet access as well as a tv dish.  My cottage is about 60 to a 100 feet away from his cottage.  He seems to think I can get access to the internet via his dish.  Is this possible, or do I need the same equipment as he has?"

It is possible to share a satellite Internet connection.  I have set this up many times for RVers with satellite systems. 

Typically, the signal comes in from the Internet satellite dish using 2 coax (transmit and receive) cables into a satellite modem.  The modem has an Ethernet cable to connect directly to a computer or to a router.  If you can run an Ethernet cable between the cottages, you can plug right in using a wired router.  Otherwise, you might use WiFi.  WiFi works best with an unobstructed line of site between the Access Point router and the computer.  100 feet should not be a problem unless you are going through many obstacles.

Your brother will need a WiFi router connected to his satellite modem.  He may already have one.  There are many inexpensive routers available.  Linksys, Dlink, and Netgear are all good routers.  Setting up a router is easy, just follow the directions.  Make sure to secure your signal so others cannot access it without your permission.  You then configure your computer(s) to connect to the WiFi signal.

We have a video on connecting to a WiFi Hotspot here.