An satellite-based internet access includes uses a distributed proxy server that
reduces a delay associated with the retrieval of inline objects of web pages. The
distributed proxy server includes a first component which runs on the browser side
of the satellite link and communicates with web browsers, and a second component
which runs on an Internet side of the satellite link and communicates with web
servers. When a web page is requested over the satellite link, the second component
determines whether the parent file includes any references to inline objects, and
prefetches each such inline object. The prefetched objects are transmitted over
the satellite link to the first component, which in-turn stores the prefetched
objects in a cache and provides the prefetched objects to the requesting web browser.
The first component may also block browser requests for prefetched inline objects
from unnecessarily being transmitted over the satellite link.
