DirecWay
DirecWay, or "DIRECWAY" as it is spelled in official publications, is a U.S. provider of one-way and two-way satellite broadband Internet technology and service. The service was originally called DirecPC and was only available as a one-way satellite Internet option (uploading was accomplished with a dial-up modem connection). The original DirecPC service, which is owned by Hughes Electronics's Hughes Network Systems launched in October 1996.
Technology
DirecWay satellite Internet systems require both a home computer (a PC or a Macintosh along with a special DirecWay-compatible USB modems. The dial-up return (one-way) system uses a single USB modem, while the satellite return (two-way) system uses a special dual USB modem that interfaces with the subscriber's computer. The DW3000 USB modem is used with one-way setups while DW4000 USB modems are used on existing two-way customers' systems. The DW6000 USB modem is a newer product that has several major improvements over the older DW4000, including automatic software upgrades over the network and a smaller box.
The DirecWay satellite Internet system uses Ku band satellites for transmission of data from the DirecWay network operations center to its customers' personal computers.
