VSAT stands for Very Small Aperture Terminal. It uses the satellite to transmit and receive data, voice, and video communications between sites. The VSAT antennas can be mounted, maritime stabilised (on ships), or even made portable.

What are the benefits of using VSAT?

The three main benefits of using VSAT are as follows: Rapid deployment. Compared to traditional communication infrastructures, VSAT can be more quickly deployed to geographically remote sites. Availability. VSAT works from virtually any location on Earth, making it an ideal solution to stay connected from any rural location. Cost efficacy. The cost of a VSAT service is not dependent on the site's location, which makes it a cost-effective way to get internet access outside the coverage of terrestrial networks.

How reliable are VSATs?

VSATs links are very reliable, offering 99.7% availability on a C-band link and 99.3% availability on a Ku-band link.

Will unfavorable weather conditions affect VSAT transmission?

For VSAT Services using C-band frequency, the service will not be affected by adverse weather conditions. However, VSAT services operating over Ku-Band frequency will occasionally be affected by rain fade. To minimize rain-induced interruptions, Maxis's Ku-band Hub operates with a 1+1 diversity Earth station, located at a backup facility. These Earth stations will automatically switch between each other to avoid rain-induced outages in either location.

How is a VSAT installation done?

A site survey is first conducted to determine the best location for the VSAT antenna, taking into consideration space constraints, antenna look-angle, cable routing and space for the indoor satellite modem. The VSAT antenna can be installed on the rooftop, on the ground, or even be mounted on the wall. As for the Gyro VSAT antenna, the mounting platform should be rigid enough and not subjected to excessive vibration with a clear view of the horizon or satellite all around.

How can I subscribe to Maxis Business VSAT service?

Please contact your Maxis Business account manager or the Maxis Business service centre at 1800 82 1919.

How long does it take to install a VSAT system?

For a fixed location, it would take two days to build a concrete foundation and install an antenna mount after the site survey. The actual VSAT installation usually takes about two to three hours, including antenna tracking, testing, and commissioning of the system.

Gyro VSAT is our VSAT solution for maritime vessels. It consists of a stabilised antenna system with the capability of tracking the satellite, even while a vessel is moving, ensuring continuous signal communications.

What is the coverage area provided by Gyro VSAT (Ku-band)? What are the bandwidths offered for this service?

The coverage area is within Malaysian waters. Our Ku-band links can go up to 20Mbps while C-band links can be customised to your business needs.

Will there be any harmful radiation or interference with other equipment when using the VSAT service?

No, the VSAT system will not emit harmful radiation to humans working around the antenna as it is always pointing skywards. VSAT terminals have been widely used around the world, and there has been no interference to other equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

VSAT Services: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

VSAT stands for Very Small Aperture Terminal. It uses the satellite to transmit and receive data, voice, and video communications between sites. The VSAT antennas can be mounted, maritime stabilised (on ships), or even made portable.
The three main benefits of using VSAT are as follows:

Rapid deployment. Compared to traditional communication infrastructures, VSAT can be more quickly deployed to geographically remote sites.

Availability. VSAT works from virtually any location on Earth, making it an ideal solution to stay connected from any rural location.

Cost efficacy. The cost of a VSAT service is not dependent on the site's location, which makes it a cost-effective way to get internet access outside the coverage of terrestrial networks.
VSATs links are very reliable, offering 99.7% availability on a C-band link and 99.3% availability on a Ku-band link.
For VSAT Services using C-band frequency, the service will not be affected by adverse weather conditions. However, VSAT services operating over Ku-Band frequency will occasionally be affected by rain fade. To minimize rain-induced interruptions, Maxis's Ku-band Hub operates with a 1+1 diversity Earth station, located at a backup facility. These Earth stations will automatically switch between each other to avoid rain-induced outages in either location.
A site survey is first conducted to determine the best location for the VSAT antenna, taking into consideration space constraints, antenna look-angle, cable routing and space for the indoor satellite modem. The VSAT antenna can be installed on the rooftop, on the ground, or even be mounted on the wall. As for the Gyro VSAT antenna, the mounting platform should be rigid enough and not subjected to excessive vibration with a clear view of the horizon or satellite all around.
Please contact your Maxis Business account manager or the Maxis Business service centre at 1800 82 1919.
For a fixed location, it would take two days to build a concrete foundation and install an antenna mount after the site survey. The actual VSAT installation usually takes about two to three hours, including antenna tracking, testing, and commissioning of the system.
Gyro VSAT is our VSAT solution for maritime vessels. It consists of a stabilised antenna system with the capability of tracking the satellite, even while a vessel is moving, ensuring continuous signal communications.
The coverage area is within Malaysian waters. Our Ku-band links can go up to 20Mbps while C-band links can be customised to your business needs.
No, the VSAT system will not emit harmful radiation to humans working around the antenna as it is always pointing skywards. VSAT terminals have been widely used around the world, and there has been no interference to other equipment.

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The FAQ’s are meant for clarification purposes only. The FAQ’s may be modified from time to time. Please refer Terms of Use and Terms & Conditions of the products and/or services for more information.