From Outer Space to Your Router: Here’s How Satellite Internet Works | Global News Avenue

Not the fastest though Internet connection typeSatellite Internet is the only type of connection available in all 50 states, making it the biggest competitor Rural The internet has limited choices for families.

Although very popular StarlinkAnd its growth power 7,000 satellitesSatellite Internet is often seen as the last resort of home Internet. What is that Satellite Internet Is that good? What should you pay attention to before registering? Let’s take a closer look at how satellite internet works and what expectations are from the industry’s top competitors.

Read more: The best internet providers of 2025: Cables & Fiber & Satellites and more

How does satellite internet work?

Like satellite TV, satellite dishes receive radio waves that travel from satellites from low Earth or high orbits. Internet service providers use data centers connected to the Internet network to remit information back to the receiver dishes.

To work effectively, the dish must be placed in a position with clear vision. You will connect the modem to the dish to convert the incoming signal into a viable Internet connection. This is really all that satellite internet needs to work, except for power to keep the receiver disk powered (again the sky can be clearly seen).

Satellite Internet does not rely on cables, fiber optics or telephone lines. Ground technology like this is not well developed in rural areas, because the lack of population density means that ISPs have to spend more money to cover the increase in the ground in order to carry the same number of families online. Satellite Internet avoids problems by skipping ground infrastructure completely, making Satellite Internet a convenient option for internet connection.

Pushing satellites into space is expensive, but once enough networks are available, The company can provide broadband Even in fairly remote locations, satellite internet provides customers with a wide range of earth.

Who currently provides satellite Internet?

The country’s top satellite internet provider is Viasat,,,,, Hughesnet and Starlink. Viasat and Hughesnet have been engaged in satellite-based communications business for decades. Although Starlink is a relatively newcomer to the industry, it has become a strong competitor in recent years, thanks in large part to its Rapid satellite deploymentfaster speed, low latency and Satellite Internet dishes anytime, anywhere.

To keep up with the game, Hugsnet launched Jupiter 3 Satellite, in 2023, is one of the largest commercial communication satellites, which can increase download speeds and can reach up to 100Mbps satellite Internet customers. Meanwhile, Viasat has begun offering a program with download speeds up to 150Mbps but is not available in all locations.

According to Ookla’s first quarter 2024 report – Latest reports include satellite internet metrics – Viasat download speeds average about 34Mbps, while Hughesnet averages only 15Mbps. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET Ziff Davis.

Starlink has already had over 7,000 satellites in orbit and has arrived Millions of customers in the United States and beyond. While Starlink’s plan isn’t cheap (starts at $120 a month and upfront for the device is $349), the network promises faster than we traditionally expect from satellite internet.

However, there may be new competition in the industry soon, as Amazon’s project Cooper is scheduled to be available in 2025. Company website. In July 2020, the Federal Communications Commission approved the deployment of the Kuiper projectThousands of low-Earth orbit satellites Create your own satellite-based broadband service. Planned to launch up to 83 satellites In the next five yearsplease continue to pay attention to the update.

Where is the satellite internet available?

Due to satellite spread at these latitudes, satellite Internet signals can be received in most parts of the United States. For example, Hughes Network and Starlink provide services in all 50 states. Viasat offers close to complete insurance in the United States, except downonly provide services in certain areas.

Some satellite internet companies are also exploring coverage in other parts of the world and trying to use new deployment methods, such as using Community Hot Spots Instead of residential dishes and connections. Starlink’s portable satellite dish, Starlink minifurther expand the coverage of the Internet to rural areas and travelers.

How does satellites compare to other types of internet connections?

Although recent advances have contributed to the satellite internet Click Baseline Broadband Speedit’s still better than most Other common patterns of the Internet. In most cases, other options will provide better speeds with lower latency.

For example, DSL and Wired Internet Very common, DSL download speeds range from 3 to 140 Large megabits per second Cables are usually available anywhere from 10 to 2,000Mbps, depending on your plan. Despite Starlink’s Elon Musk promises that satellite internet is typically 12 to 200Mbps 300Mbps even 2,000Mbps It may be possible.

Fiber optic InternetUsing fiber optic cables, it can provide up to 5 or even 10 gigabit combustion speed download speeds (5,000 or 10,000Mbps). With fiber, your uploads are usually as fast as your downloads, which is not the case with cables, DSL, or satellites. Installing fiber cables is expensive and are not efficient in areas with low population density, so in most parts of the United States there is no idea or when fiber becomes a viable option.

That is, satellite Internet usually provides the highest Cost per Mbps – A rough metric for valuable metrics for any Internet connection type due to the relatively slow average speed and high monthly cost.

Here is a quick analysis of the pros and cons of satellite connection

advantage

• It can take a long time to wait for broadband internet in your area and now you can use satellite internet.
• Satellite Internet is relatively simple to obtain: Find a company that offers it, rent a receiver or pre-buy it, and sign up for a plan that suits your needs.
• Major companies such as SpaceX and Amazon are bringing new competition to the satellite internet market, which means better speed and value in the long run.

shortcoming

• Often, it is more expensive than other forms of internet, and its receiver dishes can be more costly upfront. this Cost per pound Satellite Internet is usually high.
• There are many satellites in distant orbits above the earth. High latency period Satellite Internet is a common problem. Your traffic will require extra moments to make up for outer space.
• If there is no clear connection to the constellation overhead, the satellite internet can be very picky. For example, as Hugsnet said, satellite dishes must be in good condition with “clear views of the southern sky.” Snow or other bad weather Can create spots or even interruptions.

Satellite Internet FAQ