FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 3/12/2002

QUESTION: What are the Minimum Requirements to the DataStorm?
ANSWER: · Pentium III at 500 MHz or more...Celeron at 800 MHz or more. · 128 Megs RAM · 120 Megs hard drive space · Floppy Disk Drive. · CD-ROM Drive. · Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 · Available USB Port. · Available Serial Port. · Dial-up Modem (for one time connection to activate dish) · System Disk for Windows (in case of missing programs).

QUESTION: Can anyone install the DataStorm?
ANSWER: Not really. The DataStorm is fairly complicated and quite heavy. A professional installer has the tools and resources to put the dish in place. Each DataStorm comes with a detailed installation manual that will guide the installer through hardware and software installation.

QUESTION: How does the dish find the satellite?
ANSWER: The dish is on a completely motorized and computer controlled. One button starts it in action and it finds and locks to the satellite automatically.

QUESTION: Is the dish transmission a danger?
ANSWER: No. Transmission strength is about 3 watts, (a cell phone is .8 watts). And being on top of the rig, it is not an issue.

QUESTION: Can I be traveling down the road and be online at the same time?
ANSWER: No. You must be parked. In-Motion 2-Way satellite transmission will not be approved for many years to come. But we find that this is not a major problem with many who are seeking Internet Connectivity in a mobile environment.

QUESTION: How much does it all cost?
ANSWER: The retail price for the dish is $4995. Installation costs about $400. The monthly service ISP fee is $89.99/mo for unlimited always on access. With the Basic Plan, you do have a limit of 500 MegaBytes a day to download before you connection speed is reduced to 56Kbps (a standard dial-up modem). This is reset in a 12-24 hour period.

QUESTION: How does weather affect the dish?
ANSWER: It would have to be a heavy wind or rain to affect usability of the DataStorm. The DataStorm will detect sever rocking, such as heavy winds, and will stow the dish. Transmission will be suspended if signal quality dips below 31, which is rare and happens only in a downpour.

QUESTION: What happens if the dish is buried in snow?
ANSWER: There is an option to provide more power to the motors to compensate for the weight of extra snow on the dish. If this doesn't work, you will have to get on top of the rig and sweep off the snow.

QUESTION: Can Datastorm be used in a mobile environment like an RV or bus?
ANSWER: Yes, it was designed from the ground up for mobile application.

QUESTION: Would the DataStorm fit on a small trailer?
ANSWER: The Datastorm can fit on any mobile platform that gives it room to turn around in place. Statistics of size can be found on this web site.

QUESTION: Does the DataStorm work on a Marine Vessel?
ANSWER: MotoSAT is working to develop a system that will work in a marine environment and we expect it to be released in July of 2002.

QUESTION: How difficult is it to set up the dish?
ANSWER: Turn on your computer… Turn on the Main Satellite Controller. Open up the DataStorm software, click on "Find Satellite"… The DataStorm will automatically go up and lock onto the correct satellite between 4 to 8 minutes.

QUESTION: Is it easy to stow and reconnect the satellite dish when one moves from one location to another?
ANSWER: Yes. Point and Click. It is completely motorized and finds the satellite automatically. So there is no physical labor involved in setting up the dish. Once the satellite is found, you are online. Simply run your web browser or e-mail program.

QUESTION: After moving the RV, how long does it take to set up?
ANSWER: It takes about 10 minutes on average to boot the computer, turn things on, run software, and find the satellite.

QUESTION: What kind of visibility is required to connect to the satellite?
ANSWER: A view of the Southern Sky. If there are objects between the dish and the satellite, it will not lock onto the satellite.

QUESTION: Can the dish be used as a telephone?
ANSWER: Just like any Internet Connection, there are applications that allow you to verbally talk over the Internet. Some of these programs are i-netPhone and NetToPhone. There is the slight delay inherent to satellite technology would make talking on the phone over the Internet a bit strange. However, technically speaking, It can be done.

QUESTION: What else comes with the system?
ANSWER: In addition to the dish there is a control board which is smaller than the size of a laptop computer. It runs on 12 volts and drives the dish motors. It connects to the PC via serial port and is controlled by software. The other part of the system is the DirecWay modems (one for transmit one for receive). These are stock from Hughes and connect to the dish LNB and to the PC by USB.

QUESTION: Who is the ISP?
ANSWER: Currently, the ISP is Optistreams.com, a technology partner with Hughes Network Systems (owner of DirecWay).

QUESTION: Does Datastorm use the Starband Network?
ANSWER: No, Datastorm uses the service two-way satellite service from Hughes DirecWay.

QUESTION: I heard the FCC forbids mobile two-way satellite usage. Is the dish approved?
ANSWER: Hughes is allowing MotoSat and Optistreams a limited number of fully functional 2-way systems for development of the mobile environment, as well as the sale of the DataStorm to all Emergency Services under the Executive Order signed by President Bush. MotoSAT is pre-releasing the DataStorm as a fully capable system to the consumer market. The dish may be used as a one-way system (phone line uplink), until certification arrives… expected in March 2002.

QUESTION: I understand that the DirecWay systems are timed automatically, but how is cross pol accounted for?
ANSWER: Cross Pol is the skew of the dish in relation to the satellite. This skew is very important and must be accurate for proper functionality of the DirecWay system. If it is not accurately skewed, you do have the possibility of interfering with the data transmissions of other satellite users. The DataStorm's onboard tilt sensors assure the cross pol to be within 2 degrees of perfect. In addition to that, Hughes is working closely with MotoSAT to develop an automated Cross Pol routine that will communicate with the Satellite for conformation the cross pol every time the dish locks on satellite.

QUESTION: Do you have to dial up by phone to get on-line?
ANSWER: No phones are needed after the initial, one time set-up. Once dish is aligned and locked on to the signal, it supplies an always-on Internet connection. There are no "per minute" fees ever.

QUESTION: When will the DataStorm be available to the public?
ANSWER: Now. We are currently shipping fully functional DataStorms prior to Hughes Certification. We are doing this to allow those who wish to have a DataStorm in place prior to the rush of orders that will come in upon certification… which we expect to be March of 2002. The pre-released DataStorms may be used as one-way systems right now (phone line uplink).

QUESTION: Can the dish be used for TV as well as Internet simultaneously?
ANSWER: Yes, but you need to request this prior to getting your Billing ID from Optistreams. Once you have this, you will need a TV decoder and service plan to receive TV service.

QUESTION: Can a local area network be used to share Internet access?
ANSWER: Yes. You may use ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) but we find this is quite slow. MotoSAT and Optistreams provides a router solution that will optimize your local area network to make performance as fast as it can be. One person was thrilled to be walking around outside his RV with his laptop computer in hand while connected to the Internet via a wireless network.

QUESTION: Does it work on Macintosh computers?
ANSWER: No. Both the DirecWay software and the MotoSAT software requires a PC to be the dish controller. However, it can be networked to provide Internet access to Macintosh computers on the Network… Which is being done by many of our Beta Testers.

QUESTION: What operating systems are currently supported?
ANSWER: Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Millennium Edition and Windows 2000 Professional.

QUESTION: How fast is it?
ANSWER: The DataStorm system achieves download speeds of 500 Kbps with upload speeds of 40 to 90Kbps. At times download speeds reach 1.7 Mbps which is faster than T1 speeds!

QUESTION: Why is it so expensive?
ANSWER: This is not your father's satellite dish. All major components are custom machined out of aluminum and powder coated. All stainless steel hardware is used. It uses DC motors to raise the dish, adjust elevation, azimuth and skew. Plastic covers are custom molded. Every part is made in the USA. Each dish is hand assembled by skilled technicians.

QUESTION: Are there other Beta Test positions available?
ANSWER: Slots become available from time to time. It is wise to write us and get on the list if one becomes available.

QUESTION: What is the demand for such a product?
ANSWER: The demand is an unknown right now but is expected to be very high. Everyone from local library bookmobiles all the way to FEMA is interested in these dishes. Certainly there are thousands of RV owners who would love to install such a product.

QUESTION: How often can I use the dish.
ANSWER: Always. If the dish is locked on satellite, and your computer is turned on, you are online. There are no "per minute" fees.

QUESTION: Does the computer have to be on to stow the dish? ANSEWER: No. You may stow the dish by pressing on the main controller ON button for 10 seconds.

QUESTION: Can I get a Static IP address?
ANSWER: Yes. A static IP address is $20 more a month in service fees.

QUESTION: I plan on networking in multiple computers to the DataStorm. Are there service plans that allow for higher usages?
ANSWER: Yes. You have the option of two higher priced packages that allow multiple users. Please visit www.motosat.com/register for more information. Does the DataStorm work anywhere in North America?
ANSWER: Yes, pretty much. Some areas farther North in Canada start to fade, as well as areas in Mexico, but on average, you should have no problem getting online.

QUESTION: What other choices are out there?
ANSWER: The Datastorm dish is truly one of a kind. There are no other mobile 2-way dishes on the market that are as reasonably priced… Next step up is over $15,000 and monthly fees are astronomical.

QUESTION: Where can I buy a dish? Please contact MotoSAT.

Thanks to Scott Whitney for many of these answers!