There are more ways than ever to physically connect the Wide Area Network (WAN) – cable, fiber, cellular, satellite.
Each has their strengths and weaknesses. Cellular and satellite technology have both been advancing tremendously in recent years. In this article we will explore how satellite technology fits into the mix.
Satellite-Based Internet Connectivity
Satellite-based internet connectivity has been around since 2003 when Eutelsat launched e-BIRD, the first satellite providing commercially available broadband communications. In the early days, satellite internet relied on geostationary satellites, which orbit the earth at 22,000 miles (35,405 km) from the surface. Initial service was slow and expensive. A round trip to a geostationary satellite adds nearly a quarter second of latency (240ms) which is problematic for some applications.
The state of satellite connectivity changed dramatically in 2021 with the commercial launch of Starlink. Starlink relies on a large network of satellites in low earth orbit (LEO), approximately 210-340 miles (340-550 km) above the earth. As of the summer of 2025 Starlink has nearly 8000 satellites in service with coverage provided to 130 countries. Starlink is the market leader, but Eutelsat OneWeb is also operational with over 600 satellites, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper is currently in the launch phase, and expects to offer commercial service before the end of 2025.
With LEO-based service the cost of satellite connectivity has come way down, while performance parameters such as bandwidth/speeds and latency are greatly improved. Satellite is now a viable alternative in many applications where until recently the price / performance metrics did not make sense.
Satellite Performance Parameters
Different plans at different price points offer different levels of performance. Download speeds are typically 25 – 220 Mbps, upload 5-25 Mbps, and latency 25-60 ms. Cellular 5G, by comparison, can offer download speeds in the range of 1 Gbps (theoretically up to 20 Gbps) and latency in some locations as low as 14 ms.
The big advantage, of course, of satellite is that it offers near 100% coverage. It may be the only option to connect users in remote areas. That makes satellite ideal for serving operations such as mines, power plants, or law enforcement in places that are from urban areas.
Even in built-up areas, satellite can fill in for holes in cellular coverage, and since it is not based on terrestrial infrastructure, in the event of a disaster that took out cell coverage, connectivity remains available.
Typical Use Cases for Satellite in the WAN
Satellite is finding a niche in the enterprise WAN, and not only in remote areas. Some sample use cases follow:
- Fixed sites. In remote locations, satellite may be the only way to connect to the internet. But even in urban areas, satellite is finding a role as a failover technology and for bandwidth augmentation. For sites where 100% availability is essential, basic service can rely on a fixed fiber or cable connection, with backup provided by 5G, and tertiary backup provided with satellite. The system can be configured so that 5G and satellite can also provide additional bandwidth during peak traffic times.
- Mobile applications. There are operations that are on the move even in the most remote of locations. Law enforcement often has responsibilities that don’t end at the city limits. As law enforcement increasingly relies on digital tools, voice only communications are no longer enough. Reliable internet has become mission essential. Many departments are relying on cellular connectivity with failover to satellite to ensure connectivity throughout large geographic areas. See for example this case study of the Wyoming Highway Patrol. SA Power Networks, an Australian power company, uses satellite as the primary connection in their vehicles with failover to cellular in places where cellular is available and satellite connectivity is weak. When the vehicles have good cellular coverage the system prioritizes whichever connection is offering the best performance.
- IoT (Internet of Things). There are now an estimated 30 billion IoT devices connected to the internet. Everything from sensors on factory machinery to home environmental systems to trucks and trains are connected to the internet. There are many applications that can be found in remote locations where there is no cell service. Some of those applications include agriculture (connected sensors monitoring soil conditions or weather), utilities (sensors monitoring remote wind and solar farms), and transportation (keeping track of trucks, trains, and ships anywhere on the planet). The availability of cost-effective satellite connections means IoT is not limited to places with wired or cellular connectivity.
- Emergency kits. In the event of a disaster, emergency response teams can be equipped with a ruggedized kit that can provide on-site connectivity via cellular and satellite. With Ericsson flow duplication, bandwidth aggregation, and built-in Wi-Fi, large numbers of users can be supported simultaneously.
Considerations for deploying satellite connectivity
When considering adding satellite capabilities to your WAN there are many factors to take into consideration, that will affect both the hardware that you buy and the plan you subscribe to:
- Is your application fixed or mobile? If mobile, do you need connectivity while on the move, or only when parked?
- Are you using satellite for failover only, or do you want to have it available for bandwidth augmentation as well?
- How many users are you supporting at each location?
- How much bandwidth do you need?
- Is your application sensitive to latency? If yes, what is the maximum you can tolerate?
- Does the equipment need to be ruggedized for use / transport in all kinds of terrain and weather?
The answers to these questions will drive both the hardware you need (which satellite antennas, which routers, etc.) as well as which satellite service plan you should sign up for.
Satellite is a valuable tool
Now that satellite connectivity is available at a reasonable price with decent technical specifications it is rapidly becoming a valued addition to the connectivity toolbox.