IT & Communication Tech.

Satellite Broadband is a method of connecting to the internet using a satellite dish. The satellite dish communicates with a satellite and transfer data to a modem using a cable. This type of connection can be used in areas where other type of broadband connections won’t or do not have better feasibility.

How does satellite broadband work?

As we all know that satellites are used to access information remotely from any location of the earth. Satellite broadband also works with a similar concept and provides access to the web remotely from any part of the world.

A cable or wireless router is connected to the computers in the user premise. The router is then connected to a satellite dish through a cable which is fixed either on the top of the building or in an open space. The satellite is fixed to a certain angle to receive the signal from the satellite. Thus a communication between the satellite and the dish is established. Any change in the angle of the dish can cause interruption or might not receive the signal.

Any data requested from a computer is transferred to the modem which in turn is sent to the dish. Then the data travels a longer distance and reaches the satellite in the earth’s orbit. Thus the requested data also travels a longer distance to reach the computer.

Need for satellite Broadband

1. Money and Time:

Lying of fiber optic cables across the length and width of the country might be a time consuming and costlier process.

2. Availability:

There are many places across the country where lying of fiber optic cables becomes extremely difficult, while satellite broadband can be installed anywhere.

3. Market Value:

Lying of fiber optic cables in areas which only have a very few inhabitants might not be a profitable idea; rather satellite broadband can be subscribed anytime when he needs it. It’s not market oriented, its user oriented.

4. Low maintenance:

Maintenance and service of the cables becomes more difficult during natural disaster, while satellite broadband can be a best choice of communication during natural calamities.

5. Low usage:

Rare users of the internet might not require a speed equivalent to cable broadband, while satellite broadband is available at lower monthly rentals.

Advantages of satellite broadband

1. It does not require fiber optic cable or central office to provide access.
2. It saves the economy of the country by decreasing the money spent on lying fiber optic cables.
3. It can be installed even in mountains and remote areas.
4. Satellite broadband is the best method to communicate during emergency situation.
5. It requires low maintenance and setup features are very simple.
6. Issues like network outages can rarely happen in a satellite internet connection.

Disadvantages of satellite broadband

1. The latency of the connection is two long which is not a best fit for interactive applications like online gaming.
2. The distance travelled by the signals to query and fetch data is very longer compared to other type of connections.
3. Satellite Broadband is prone to rain fade and solar interference occasionally.
4. A little away from the focus angle; the satellite dish might not receive a proper signal.
5. Initial cost of the device, the modem and the installation charges might be higher.