The question of whether satellite internet is a competitive option in today’s world is a very real one. The State Government of South Carolina has provided its resounding “yes,” however, by accepting the Hughes Net bid for statewide broadband satellite. The bid covers satellite internet, provided by Hughes Net, to all the government offices throughout the state. The contract was officially awarded by the states DSIT, or Division of State Information Technology, on June 30, 2010.

South Carolina, a rural region, has much less access to DSL and Cable Broadband connections, the standard being used in most other states. Due to the high cost of establishing DSL or Cable connections in non-urban areas, the exact price of which can reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, South Carolina looked seriously into less common alternatives. This included multiple satellite web providers.

While the contract did not specify the precise way that the internet would be provided or the exact quantity of data that would be allotted, it specified that the internet would fall into the “Lot 4″ connection category – a broadband speed satellite connection. The contract will last until mid 2017. Beyond being the primary provider for all the Government offices in South Carolina, services and availability are being extended to small business and home offices. As a result, the contract is expanding possibilities for businesses and the self-employed in South Carolina.

This contract is the first satellite internet contract to be rewarded in the United States, and represents a major benchmark in satellite internet. While satellite internet has become an increasingly popular option for private users, especially in rural areas, the Hughes net contract shows a greater official acceptance of this alternative. Users of this new internet option in South Carolina are likely to see significantly faster speeds than with previous dial-up connections, as well as greater reliability. This contract also shows a commitment from South Carolina’s government to lowering their overall spending.