Which solution to choose depends today from commercial and less from technical factors, as no matter what frequency band used - both technologies supply internet services at acceptable quality.

Commercially it is fact that hardware for C Band is significantly more expensive while the capacity is cheaper. So customers with large bandwith requirements preferrably choose this technology.

KU Band on the other hand operates with small antennas and less expensive equipment, while the capacity price is higher than C Band.

C-Band

Downlink: 3.7 – 4.2 GHz
Uplink: 5.9 – 6.4 GHz

Advantages:

• Less disturbance from heavy rain fade
• Cheaper Bandwith

• Needs a larger satellite dish (diameters of minimum 2-3m)
• Powerful (=expensive) RF unit
• More expensive hardware
• Possible Interference from microwave links

Ku Band

Downlink: 11.7 – 12.2 GHz
Uplink: 14.0 – 14.5 GHz

Advantages:

• No interference from microwave links and other technologies
• Operates with a smaller satellite dish (diameters from 0.9m) -> cheaper and more easy installation
• Needs less power -> cheaper RF unit

• More expensive capacity
• Sensitive to heavy rain fade (significant attenuation of the signal) / possibly can be managed by appropriate dish size or transmitter power.