I don't know if it's the same now, but when I was designing communication simulators, the recommended timer setting for waiting for a response was 1 second for wired lines and 10 seconds for satellite. The data rates are similar in streaming mode, but you lose a lot of bandwidth when there is a lot of command/response data.
Also, as with satellite TV, thunderstorms tend to obliterate the signal.
Our local rural co-op telephone provider has an outstanding service record. We get on the order of 28 MB both ways.

Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python