How Low Earth Orbit Satellite Networks Improve Internet Access
Search Networking, Monday, September 25,2023
Compared to traditional satellite setups, LEO satellite internet provides several benefits, such as low latency, reduced costs and better support for remote sites.
Enterprise WAN discussions have long centered on wired connectivity options, such as copper, coaxial and optical fiber. Increasingly, though, as 5G enterprise data services continue to spread and improve -- and costs for 4G services decline -- enterprises are paying more attention to their options for wireless WANs.
Of course, 4G and 5G cellular service are not the only wireless WAN options. Satellite networks have long provided internet access. However, traditional satellite internet access has its limitations, such as high costs of service in terms of megabits per second, low maximum bandwidth per link and high latencies. As a result, traditional satellite internet access has been a last resort. Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites promise to change that.