
iDirect equipment and services are available from Ground Control, a single-source satellite solutions provider. Service and shipping are available worldwide.
iDirect is an equipment manufacturer that sets the highest standard of satellite hardware for business grade service using voice (VoIP phone), video and data transmission. Ground Control’s iDirect service offers second to none performance on a shared system by utilizing iDirect’s patented Deterministic Time Division Multiple Access (D-TDMA) and Multi Frequency Time Division Multiple Access (MF-TDMA) technologies.
Our automated network infrastructure ensures that traffic is balanced across all carriers on the satellite network to increase the amount of bandwidth AND increase the security since traffic is changing frequency up to 8 times per second. iDirect’s payload efficiency is approximately 98% – this is significantly higher than the 60% efficiency offered by similar solutions. Less overhead on the satellite means more bandwidth available on a shared channel.
Complete system includes: iDirect LAN gateway using a 1.2 meter fixed satellite dish with a 6 watt transmitter and 100 feet of coax. A good starting 1.2 meter VSAT satellite solution.
Critical voice communications to other Red Phones
$49 Annually – Includes phone – Unlimited calling
Red Phones are able to stay connected to other Red Phones anywhere in North America during the most severe outages of any kind.
$49.95/mo – includes 1000 free minutes each month
Super low-latency (500-650 milliseconds) with a “local” number to make and receive crystal clear calls over our iDirect satellite service.
iDirect Satellite Package – Complete with Installation
A popular fixed satellite solution uses the Evolution X1 satellite gateway connected to our 1.2 meter satellite dish with a 3 watt BUC (transmitter) on a non-penetrating mount, or ground mounted pole and includes a free Red Phone for emergency voice communications with other Red Phones.
This professional satellite system delivers broadband Internet speeds over our iDirect network. These systems are optimized to allow for 1 to 10 VoIP phones to connect with crystal clear communication from anywhere on the planet.
$300 + Toolbag if tools not owned
Avoid the cost of installation by taking our online Installation training and certification course. Certified installers can assemble, point, and activate a satellite communication systems with Ground Control. The advantage of being a certified installer is no installation costs, or costly repointing (such as after a storm), or moving of a system to a new location. Please note that certification is offered only to those who are purchasing or have purchased Ground Control satellite equipment or VSAT service.
Ground Control does require the enrollee to own (or have access to) certain specialized satellite pointing tools. Enrollees may also purchase our certified installer tool bag that includes the tools necessary for satellite system installations.
iDirect Satellite Routers Available from Ground Control
The iDirect iQ satellite router is available in several form factors. The iQ series is more cost effective with many of the features of the X3 and X7, and is available for fixed VSAT dish installations. Product sheets for each are linked below.
iDirect X3s are no longer available but Ground Control does activate exiting X3 gateways from time-to-time. This router features iDirect’s highly efficient implementation of the DVB-S2/ACM standard. The X3 is ideally suited for broadband connectivity such as Internet and VPN access to enterprise networks, as well as real-time VoIP and video conferencing applications. Available in 1.5 RU rackmount tray.
The iDirect Evolution X7 Powerful is the next-generation remote supporting DVB-S2/ACM on the outbound and ATDMA and SCPC* on the return, with performance capabilities for the most demanding applications. It features a compact, rack-mount design, embedded 8-port switch, a 2nd DVB-S2 demodulator*, variant power supply configurations and Web iSite support making it an ideal enterprise class solution. Comes in 1RU rackmount.
Satellite Equipment From Ground Control
Choosing a satellite dish will be dependent on which satellite you are connecting to, your location, and your transmission speed requirements. Dish sizes range from 1.2 meter, 1.8m, 2.4m & 3.8m (square meter) sizes. A satellite dish includes the feed horn, but not the radio (transmitter and receiver). We offer national & international VSAT installation services.
The BUC (Block Up Converter) is the transmitter of the satellite dish. The smaller LNB (Low Noise Block) is the receiver. BUC’s are rated in transmitting wattage ranging from 4 watt, 6, 8, 16, all the way to 400 watts, which is often used for broadcast quality video streaming. Depending on your use, dish size and installation location will determine the best size BUC for your satellite dish.
Fixed satellite dishes are mounted in a variety of ways. Pole Mount, Non-penetrating roof mount (no holes are drilled in the roof). Each installation is different and we recommend speaking with us (1-805-783-4600) to find your best solution. Installations are performed on-site by our national and international team of satellite installation experts.
Ground Control also sells a variety of mobile satellite systems that range from 0.98 meters to 2.4 m for Ku, C & X-band systems. The BUC size (or transmitter) ranges between 4 watts to 400 watts. The .98 meter Toughsat XP with a 6 watt transmitter is capable transmitting 20Mbps down and 5Mbps up in North America. We also offer a 1.8 meter vehicle mounted mobile systems. Contact us for more information on these systems. We offer mobile installation everywhere.
Ground Control offers Ku-band satellite dish options as well as portable L-band (BGAN M2M) equipment and service for remote or unmanned device monitoring and control, often referred to as M2M (Machine to Machine) or SCADA communication. BGAN M2M is a new low-usage service form Inmarsat that is ideal for monitoring and controlling remote equipment such as valves, pumps, generators, using the Hughes 9502 M2M BGAN terminal. This $1,299 satellite communications device will establishes a full time TCP-IP connection to the Internet using less than 4 watts, perfect low power locations anywhere on the globe. Cost is about $0.02 cents per polling communication. Monthly service fees starts at under $50 a month.
A Portable .98 or 1.2 Meter Satellite Dish
Consider having a portable case-based mobile satellite system and store it until you require it. This solution is easily mounted on a roof of a building, or on top of a vehicle roof rack.
Our experience spans from providing communications during disasters such as hurricane Katrina for emergency services , or for businesses to a guarantee they maintain 100% uptime. We are an End-to-End solution provider from simple one system installations to broad multi-site company networks. Our experienced team will assess your needs, propose solutions, install, support and integrate into your existing network and long term business strategies.