Satellite Internet
Satellite Internet
An internet connection method that exchanges data with ground stations via satellites orbiting in space.
In Simple Terms
Satellite Internet is a technology that connects you to the internet by exchanging radio signals with satellites orbiting in space. It works even in places where laying fiber-optic cables is difficult, like deep in the mountains, out at sea, or in areas where ground infrastructure has been destroyed by a disaster. You just need to set up a dedicated antenna somewhere with a clear view of the sky, and it exchanges data between the ground and the satellites.
Behind the Name
The name "Satellite Internet" comes from the fact that it uses satellites orbiting in space as relay stations to connect to the internet.
Take a Closer Look!
Satellite Internet is a system that connects the ground to the internet using satellites launched into space. Unlike traditional internet connections, it doesn't require burying fiber-optic cables in the ground or building radio towers across cities.
This technology comes in two main types: geostationary orbit (GEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO).
The older GEO type relays signals through a single satellite floating about 36,000 km above Earth. Because that distance is so vast, the round-trip delay for data—known as latency—is quite large. It works fine for email or light web browsing, but it's not well suited for real-time video calls or online gaming.
LEO, by contrast, uses a constellation of thousands of satellites flying much closer to Earth, at altitudes of 340–570 km, working together to relay signals. Because they're so much closer, latency is very low, so video calls and online gaming feel just as smooth as with a typical broadband connection.
The basic flow is: radio signals travel from a ground antenna up to a satellite, then down to a ground station that connects to the internet.
Depending on each country's radio licensing rules and whether an area gets strong enough satellite signal coverage, satellite internet plays an important role in reaching places conventional connections can't—like remote mountains, isolated islands, or emergency shelters after a disaster.