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WildBlue Frequently Asked Questions

For answers to commonly asked questions about WildBlue high-speed Internet, choose from the list below.

General Information

1. What is WildBlue and is it available where I live?
2. Should I get WildBlue?
3. Is WildBlue service difficult to use?
4. Who do I call if I have a problem?
5. What equipment do I need for the WildBlue service?
6. What are WildBlue's computer system requirements?
7. What are the cancellation fees?
8. How fast can I expect my WildBlue system to work?

Services and Prices

9. What is the total cost of my WildBlue service?
10. Do I get email with my WildBlue account?
11. Does WildBlue offer dial-up service?
12. If I have WildBlue, do I need an additional account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP)?
13. Is heavy bandwidth use restricted?
14. Will my equipment be under warranty?

Availability Information

15. Is your service available in Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico?
16. I have an RV and a boat. Can I get WildBlue service in a mobile vehicle?

Installation Information

17. What is the installation process like? Can I install my own dish?
18. Will my Home Owners Association allow mounting of the WildBlue dish?
19. Can I use wireless home networking with WildBlue?
20. Do customers need a phone line in addition to the satellite connection?
21. Do I need a view of the southern sky to receive a signal from your satellite?

Technical Information

22. How fast is the WildBlue Internet service? How does it compare to cable modems and DSL?
23. Is my operating system compatible with the WildBlue service?
24. What Web browsers and email clients does WildBlue support?
25. Does WildBlue support VoIP?
26. My computer did not come with a Network Interface Card (NIC)? What can I do?
27. Will bad weather impact my WildBlue service?

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General Information

1. What is WildBlue and is it available where I live?

WildBlue is a high-speed satellite Internet service for homes, home offices and small offices. It is most likely available where you live. WildBlue's spot-beam technology reaches virtually every part of the contiguous United States.

2. Should I get WildBlue?

WildBlue Internet access is remarkably faster than dial-up: up to 1.5 Mbps. Large files, such as photos and music, can download as much as 30 times faster than when you use dial-up. A whole new world of content will open up to you with your broadband connection. And with WildBlue, you get an "always on" connection which means no dialing-in to get high-speed access to the Internet.

3. Is WildBlue service difficult to use?

Not difficult at all. Our professional installation takes about 2 to 3 hours, includes only a few pieces of equipment, and then you're ready to surf the Internet at lightning fast speeds. You can use your same web-browser, go to the same sites, use your email, etc. just like you always have...but a lot faster! And it's always on so no more dialing-in delays, or getting "bumped off."

4. Who do I call if I have a problem?

You just call the friendly customer care agents at WildBlue. We'll have a person you can talk to, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Customer Care: 1-866-WildBlue (945-3258) (toll free)

5. What equipment do I need for the WildBlue service?

Only a WildBlue mini dish and a WildBlue modem. We'll provide those, all you need to supply is your computer and clear view of the southern sky.

6. What are WildBlue's computer system requirements?

Your computer most likely meets our minimum system requirements as most computers in use today fall within our specifications. If you don't know if you meet them, please call us and we can help you figure it out.

PC/ Windows: 300 MHz or faster processing speed, minimum 128 MB Random Access Memory (RAM), and Windows 2000, XP Home or XP Professional and Vista operating systems. 100 MB of hard drive space and an ethernet card are required.

Macintosh: 300 MHz or faster processing speed, 128MB Random Access Memory (RAM), and OS 10.4 or higher operating system. 100 MB of hard drive space and an ethernet card are required.

7. What are the cancellation fees?

WildBlue customers are required to sign a 24 month contract when they initiate service. If you cancel the Service before completion of the Minimum Service Term or Extension Term, the Termination Fee is equal to the number of months left in your Minimum Service Term multiplied by $15.00.

8. How fast can I expect my WildBlue system to work?

WildBlue packages vary by speed levels. The core Value Pak offers up to 512 Kbps download speed and up to 128 Kbps upload speed. The Select Pak features download speeds up to 1.0 Mbps and upload speeds up to 200 Kbps. The Pro Pak offers download speeds up to 1.5 Mbps and upload speeds up to 256 Kbps.

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Services and Prices

9. What is the total cost of my WildBlue service?

The WildBlue equipment is leased to you for the length of the time you're a WildBlue customer. There is a one-time account set-up fee of $149.95.Customers pay a low monthly lease fee of $5.95, similar to most cable and satellite television pricing models. During the entire period the equipment is leased, it is covered under WildBlue's worry-free equipment replacement warranty. As an added savings, customers have the option to prepay their first 24 months of lease fees for just $99.95, getting more than 7 months free. Professional installation is free. Please check out current offers.

The monthly fee varies depending on the plan you choose. We offer a variety of service packages, including a Value Service at $49.95 per month. Learn more about the packages and prices we offer for your home and small office. Additional taxes may apply.

10. Do I get email with my WildBlue account?

WildBlue offers an advanced suite of Internet services powered through our partnership with Google. WildBlue customers will receive between 5 and 10 email addresses (each with at least 7 GB capacity). More email addresses are available for a minimal extra charge. Learn more about the packages we offer for your home or small office.

11. Does WildBlue offer a dial-up service?

You can elect to receive an optional remote-access dial-up service through your WildBlue account. This service allows you to access the Internet and your email when you're away from home or the office. Dial-up service costs $7.95 / month for 10 hours of use per month. This is an optional service that is available to all customers.

12. If I have WildBlue, do I need an additional account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

Not necessarily. The WildBlue service includes all key ISP features like email, web space, etc. If you prefer, you can continue to use your current ISP for email and use the WildBlue service for your broadband Internet access. See your current ISP for details as separate ISP charges may apply.

13. Is heavy bandwidth use restricted?

WildBlue manages its network through a Fair Access Policy so that heavy usage by a few customers doesn't negatively affect the normal usage of other customers. For most users, the Fair Access Policy has no effect on their usage. For a few very heavy bandwidth users who exceed the Fair Access Policy's thresholds, the system will restrict their speeds until their usage falls below the threshold. See WildBlue's Fair Access Policy for details.

14. Will my equipment be under warranty?

Yes. You will receive a 90 day labor/24 months parts limited warranty on all equipment at no charge when you become a customer. View our Two-year limited warranty.

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Availability Information

15. Is your service available in Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico?

Not at this time. The WildBlue service is available only in the 48 contiguous United States due to the reach of our satellite signals. At present, we do not have plans to serve Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico.

16. I have an RV and a boat. Can I get WildBlue service in a mobile vehicle?

Not at this time. WildBlue service was designed for stationary locations like homes and small businesses. We do not offer broadband service for mobile vehicles at this time.

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Installation Information

17. What is the installation process like? Can I install my own dish?

WildBlue professional installers quickly and efficiently install equipment and activate WildBlue's broadband service at your chosen location. The satellite mini-dish is about 26 inches x 28 inches and can be easily mounted on a roof, outside wall or in the ground. A cable from the dish connects to a satellite modem (a small box usually placed next to the computer), which connects to your computer via an Ethernet connection. Installation requires an installation professional to make sure that the dish is pointed at the satellite accurately and to verify that all connections are made properly. Self-installation is not offered. See our How it Works Demo.

18. Will my Home Owners Association allow mounting of the WildBlue dish?

The WildBlue dish is considered under what the FCC calls the "Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule". This means the WildBlue dish is under the same classification as other residential satellite dishes (such as satellite television) and legally permissible for mounting on your home. As always, please check with your HOA for specific rules and covenants that may alter your rights.

19. Can I use wireless home networking with WildBlue?

Yes. WildBlue is compatible with nearly all major wireless home networking products.

20. Do customers need a phone line in addition to the satellite connection?

No. WildBlue offers an efficient 2-way broadband connection that requires no phone lines.

21. Do I need a view of the southern sky to receive a signal from your satellite?

Yes. You will need a clear view of the southern sky to receive a signal from the WildBlue satellite.

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Technical Information

22. How fast is the WildBlue Internet service? How does it compare to cable modems and DSL?

WildBlue's always-on broadband Internet connection provides a user experience similar to most DSL services. We offer download speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps, which can be up to 30 times faster than today's dial-up speeds for file transfers. We offer upload speeds up to 256 Kbps. WildBlue's high bandwidth opens up a window to a world of rich content that is largely unavailable through dial-up modems.

23. Is my operating system compatible with the WildBlue service

The WildBlue minimum computer system requirements are:

24. What Web browsers and email clients does WildBlue support?

Web Browsers:


Email Clients:

25. Does WildBlue support VoIP?

No, not at this time.

26. 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) - which you can find at almost any consumer electronics store, or at an online store. You can also install the Ethernet NIC yourself, if you are comfortable doing so. Check with your computer manufacturer for more information on the right Ethernet NIC for your system.

27. Will bad weather impact my WildBlue service?

The WildBlue service is only minimally affected by weather - typically only under severe conditions. Rain or snow showers may result in slower WildBlue speeds, but this typically only lasts until the rain or snow stops. Total loss of connectivity should not occur unless the storm is unusually severe.

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