Improvements in or relating to internet access

摘要

Described herein is a method of controlling data flow between a local network ( 120 ) and a remote network ( 30 ) via a geostationary satellite link ( 40, 46, 48 ). The local network ( 120 ) comprises a sending host ( 22 ) and a connection splitting node ( 124 ) which includes a throttling unit ( 150 ). The remote network ( 30 ) comprises a receiving host ( 32 ) which is connected to a second connection splitting node ( 142 ) having a buffer ( 152 ) via the internet ( 34 ). The data flow rate from the local network ( 120 ) is throttled to provide a data flow rate which substantially matches that which can be handled by the remote network ( 30 ) so that the buffer ( 152 ) at the second connection splitting node ( 142 ) is not overfilled.