The use of satellites for communications is not a novelty. The first communication satellite launches occurred in the 1950s-60s and since then they have rapidly evolved. However, in recent years, satellite Internet has gained significant traction as a key player in the global connectivity market. Once considered only a niche solution for remote areas, advancements in satellite technology are pushing it to the forefront of Internet service innovation.
How can satellite Internet be so transformative? Is it truly a disruptive force that can reshape the future of global connectivity? Let’s find out!
What is satellite Internet?
Satellite Internet is an Internet connection that uses satellites orbiting Earth to send and receive Internet signals (radio waves) to users on the ground. Unlike traditional broadband services, which rely on a network of cables, wires, or fiber optics, satellite Internet delivers data wirelessly from space. This makes it an ideal solution for reaching areas where physical infrastructure is lacking.
There are three main types of satellites, mostly two are used for Internet services: geostationary satellites, and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The latter, popularized by services like Starlink, are the driving force behind the modern satellite Internet boom.
To give you a reference, in 2023, the satellite Internet industry, was valued at 4 billion USD and projections point out it will reach 17.1 billion USD by 2028 (at a CAGR of 33.7% in that period, 2023 to 2028). Quite impressive, right?
Overview of satellite orbits: LEO, MEO, and GEO
Satellites are classified into different categories based on their orbit around the Earth. Each type serves specific functions, has unique challenges, and is tailored to different communication needs.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites
LEO satellites orbit the Earth at altitudes ranging from 180 to 2,000 kilometers (112 to 1,242 miles). Due to their proximity to the Earth, LEO satellites offer low latency, making them ideal for real-time communication and applications (remote education, remote desktop applications, online gaming, video conferencing), and Internet services. With enough satellites deployed in a constellation, these satellites can provide near-global coverage.
Many LEO satellites work on imaging and mapping Earth’s surface, weather forecasting, environmental monitoring, and disaster management (monitoring wildfires, hurricanes, and floods). Other LEO satellites are also used in navigation systems, providing geospatial positioning for various industries, including transportation and agriculture.
To maintain continuous global coverage, LEO constellations require a large number of satellites, as each satellite covers a relatively small area and has a short orbital period (around 90 minutes). LEO satellites typically have shorter operational lifespans (about five to ten years) due to increased exposure to atmospheric drag, which gradually pulls them back into the Earth’s atmosphere.
The sheer number of LEO satellites being launched increases the risk of space debris and collisions. With thousands of satellites in orbit, managing traffic and avoiding collisions becomes increasingly complex.
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites
MEO satellites orbit between 2,000 and 35,786 kilometers (1,243 to 22,236 miles) above the Earth’s surface. These satellites cover larger areas of the Earth than LEO satellites, reducing the number of satellites required for continuous coverage. As a reference, the GPS constellation requires only 24 satellites for full global coverage.
Due to their higher altitude, compared to LEO, MEO satellites experience more latency, but they still have less latency than GEO satellites. For these reasons, they are widely used in global navigation systems, such as GPS (United States), Galileo (Europe), and GLONASS (Russia). These satellites provide geolocation data for a range of industries, from aviation and maritime to consumer-level navigation in smartphones and vehicles.
Some MEO satellites are also used for telecommunications and satellite phone networks, offering coverage in remote areas where terrestrial networks are unavailable.
The greater distance from Earth means that larger and more powerful antennas are needed on the ground to communicate with MEO satellites which can increase costs for end users.
Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites
GEO satellites orbit at a fixed altitude of 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles) above the Earth’s equator. This allows for continuous coverage of a specific area and simplifies the ground equipment needed for communication. From their high altitude, a single GEO satellite can cover roughly one-third of the Earth’s surface. This means only three satellites are needed to provide nearly global coverage.
GEO satellites are heavily used for broadcasting television and radio signals. Their fixed position in the sky makes them ideal for this purpose as ground-based antennas can be pointed at one location without having to track the satellite’s movement.
Many weather satellites operate in GEO. Their constant view of the same area makes them valuable for long-term monitoring of storms, hurricanes, and other meteorological events. GEO satellites are also widely used for long-distance communication, including telephone services, Internet backhaul, and military communications. Their ability to stay in one spot simplifies ground station setups.
Among GEO satellites’ challenges, we can mention their high latency (about 600 milliseconds) due to the significant distance from Earth. They are larger and more expensive to launch than LEO or MEO satellites. Their high altitude also makes them harder to replace or repair, and once they fail, they tend to remain in orbit as space debris. GEO satellites are positioned above the equator, meaning they cannot provide coverage for high-latitude regions near the poles. This creates gaps in connectivity for areas like the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
Summary of the differences between LEO, MEO, and GEO satellites
| Orbit Type | Altitude | Main benefits | Challenges |
| LEO (Low Earth Orbit) | 180–2,000 km | Satellite internet, Earth observation, remote sensing, Low latency, global coverage. | Large constellations needed, shorter lifespan, space debris risk. |
| MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) | 2,000–35,786 km | Navigation (GPS, Galileo), some communications. Fewer satellites needed, and moderate latency. | Moderate latency, larger and more expensive antennas required. |
| GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit) | 35,786 km | TV broadcasting, weather monitoring, and long-distance communication. Fixed position, wide coverage. | High latency, expensive to launch, limited polar coverage. |
The evolution of satellite Internet technology
Satellite Internet has come a long way from its early days. It has gone from a niche solution to a disruptive force in the global connectivity market.
The early satellites (geostationary satellites, GEO) enabled long-distance communication and provided the first glimpse of global connectivity via space. However, such early satellite connections were expensive, slow, and plagued by high latency, limiting their use to specialized industries, such as maritime and military applications, rather than widespread consumer adoption.
In the early 2000s, the development of high-throughput satellites (HTS) revolutionized satellite Internet capabilities. HTS satellites, like the ones operated by companies such as HughesNet and ViaSat, delivered more bandwidth and higher data rates, enabling faster Internet speeds. This improvement was due to the use of frequency reuse and spot-beam technology, which allowed more efficient use of the satellite’s capacity.
The real disruption began with the rise of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks (late 2010s). LEO networks have the potential to provide seamless global coverage, including in hard-to-reach areas such as rural regions, oceans, and mountainous terrain. This addresses one of the major shortcomings of terrestrial networks, which require extensive and expensive infrastructure (fiber optic cables, cell towers) to reach every corner of the globe.
Satellite Internet vs traditional broadband: key differences
One of the key differences between satellite Internet and traditional broadband lies in infrastructure. Traditional broadband relies on cables—whether fiber, DSL, or coaxial—while satellite Internet connects wirelessly. This difference offers both advantages and disadvantages.
| Factor | Satellite Internet | Traditional Broadband |
| Coverage | Global, including remote areas | Limited by physical infrastructure |
| Speed | Varies, up to 200 Mbps (Starlink) | Faster with fiber, up to 1 Gbps |
| Latency | Higher than fiber, but improving with LEO | Low latency (especially fiber) |
| Cost | Typically higher due to technology | More affordable in areas with competition |
Satellite Internet’s key advantage is coverage—it can reach remote areas that traditional broadband cannot. However, traditional options like fiber and cable are often faster, more reliable, and more affordable in areas where infrastructure exists.
Satellite Internet’s impact on global connectivity
Perhaps the most significant impact of satellite Internet is its ability to bring connectivity to underserved and remote regions of the world. In many rural areas, especially in developing countries, traditional broadband infrastructure is either too expensive to build or simply unavailable. Satellite Internet offers a lifeline to these regions, helping bridge the digital divide.
Undoubtedly, satellite Internet (high-speed) can open new opportunities for education, commerce, and healthcare to communities that previously had limited or no access.
Key players in the satellite Internet market
The satellite Internet market is heating up, with several major players competing for dominance:
- Starlink (SpaceX): With over 4,000 LEO satellites already in orbit, Starlink is leading the charge in the satellite Internet revolution.
- OneWeb: This company focuses on providing Internet access to underserved regions, with a special emphasis on rural and remote communities. OneWeb is building a constellation of LEO satellites similar to Starlink.
- Amazon’s Project Kuiper: Though still in the early stages, Project Kuiper aims to deploy a large and competitive network of satellites.
- HughesNet: One of the longest-running satellite Internet providers, HughesNet focuses on geostationary satellite services and continues to serve rural areas, though it faces stiff competition from newer LEO providers.
How satellite Internet is shaping the global economy?
The economic impact of satellite Internet is already being felt in industries such as telecommunications, agriculture, and logistics. By enabling connectivity in remote areas, satellite Internet allows farmers to use smart agriculture technologies, helps businesses in isolated regions reach global markets, and improves disaster recovery and emergency communication efforts.
Satellite Internet is also facilitating remote work, especially in regions where reliable broadband was previously unavailable. As companies adopt more flexible work policies, satellite Internet can help bring more people into the global workforce, regardless of their location.
The future of satellite Internet
Looking ahead, satellite Internet has the potential to reshape global Internet access in unprecedented ways. As technology advances, we can expect even lower latency, higher speeds, and more affordable pricing. LEO satellites will continue to proliferate, creating a dense web of connectivity that could eventually rival traditional fiber networks.
Moreover, satellite Internet could play a crucial role in supporting the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities, and other emerging technologies. With its global reach, satellite networks are well-positioned to provide the backbone for connected devices in rural and urban areas alike.
Challenges of satellite Internet
While satellite Internet shows promise, it isn’t without its challenges.
- Weather interference. It is one of the most significant issues. Rain, snow, and clouds can affect the quality of the connection.
- Latency. Even with LEO satellites, latency is still higher than fiber or cable connections, which can be a disadvantage for activities like gaming or video conferencing.
- Environmental impact. The growing number of satellites orbiting, already thousands, raises concerns about space debris, which could pose risks to future space missions and satellite functionality.
- Regulatory issues. The high number of satellites launched into space needs new and urgent regulations. However, it requires international governmental collaboration because a single entity can’t regulate the complete industry globally. Many topics are on the table when it comes to regulations: service licenses, landing rights, ground equipment, etc.
- High cost. While the cost of satellite Internet is expected to decrease, it is still higher than most terrestrial options, making it less attractive for urban consumers who have access to cheaper fiber or cable.
Conclusion
Satellite Internet is quickly proving to be a disruptive force in the global connectivity market. With its ability to reach underserved regions, improve broadband access, and foster economic development, it’s reshaping how we think about Internet access. However, challenges such as cost, environmental concerns, and competition from traditional broadband providers remain.
As technology evolves, the future of satellite Internet is bright. It’s poised to play a crucial role in connecting the world’s most remote areas and enabling the next generation of connected devices. Most probably it will not replace the traditional broadband connectivity, but the satellite Internet sure has its place in the connectivity mix!