How does satellite internet work?
6 min read
Satellite internet service is a powerful option for people living in areas where traditional broadband connections fall short. After all, staying connected is essential wherever you are — working remotely from a cozy cabin or streaming your favorite shows from your rural home. But how does satellite internet work, and is it right for you? Here’s everything you need to know about satellite internet, from how it functions to what it’s like in real-world conditions.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
What is satellite internet?
Satellite internet keeps you connected by sending signals between satellites in orbit and ground stations on Earth. Unlike a fiber or cable connection, which rely on physical wires, satellite internet operates wirelessly from space. Here’s the basic setup:
- Your satellite dish. At home or another location, you’ll have a satellite dish installed. This dish acts as both a receiver and a transmitter, connecting to a satellite in orbit.
- Satellite in space. The signal travels from your dish to a satellite, which then bounces the signal back down to Earth. Traditional satellite internet services (like Viasat and Hughesnet) use satellites in high-Earth orbit — around 22,000 miles up.
- Ground station. The signal goes from the satellite to a ground station owned by your internet service provider and connected to the internet infrastructure. The station then routes the data to its destination on the internet, and the information returns through the same path.
By covering large areas from high above, satellites provide internet access in places where ground infrastructure is lacking. This has made satellite service especially popular in remote and rural areas, where cable or fiber internet networks can’t reach.
How does satellite compare to other internet service providers?
While traditionally satellite internet was quite slow, recent advancements have pushed it to meet basic broadband speeds. However, it still tends to lag behind other popular internet options in both speed and latency, and it often costs more. Then again, its ability to access even the most remote spots is a serious advantage.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of a satellite connection.
Pros
If you’re waiting for broadband to reach your area, it could take a long time, while satellite internet is available right now.- Getting set up is straightforward: Choose a provider, rent or buy a satellite dish, and pick a plan that fits your needs.
- Big names like SpaceX and Amazon have entered the satellite market, which means more competition, better speeds, and higher long-term value.
Cons
Satellite internet usually costs more than other options, and the receiver dish can come with a hefty upfront price.- High latency is another drawback. Signals need extra time to travel to satellites in a distant orbit, which adds a noticeable delay.
- A clear, unobstructed connection is essential. Satellite dishes need to align well with the network (a “clear view of the Southern sky,” as Hughesnet puts it). Bad weather or snow buildup can lead to spotty service or even temporary outages.
The role of SpaceX and Starlink in satellite internet
Satellite internet providers have been around for a couple of decades, but the market exploded after SpaceX launched the Starlink satellite constellation. Unlike traditional satellite internet services, Starlink uses low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites positioned between 340 to 1,200 miles from the planet’s surface. This lower orbit has resulted in two major advantages:
- Reduced latency. With less distance to cover, Starlink offers significantly lower latency, which improves responsiveness and reduces lag, making it much better for activities like video streaming and gaming.
- Higher speeds. Starlink’s LEO satellites are designed to handle high data volumes, resulting in faster internet speeds than older systems.
By using thousands of small satellites, Starlink provides comprehensive coverage and has made satellite internet service a realistic option for those who previously relied on slower, high-latency systems.
Other satellite internet providers
Hughesnet and Viasat are the two go-to satellite internet providers in the US — as mentioned, they’ve been in the business for decades. But while Starlink is a relative newcomer to the industry, it’s already a strong contender, keeping the established providers on their toes.
To stay competitive, Hughesnet recently launched its JUPITER 3 satellite, one of the largest commercial communications satellites to date, allowing for a download speed of up to 100 Mbps. Viasat has rolled out internet plans with speeds as high as 150Mbps, although availability varies by location.
Amazon has also started launching satellites for its Project Kuiper, a plan to build a constellation of over 3,000 broadband satellites. While up to 83 launches are planned over the next five years, Kuiper currently has only two test satellites in orbit and isn’t yet available to customers.
How much does satellite internet cost?
In the US home internet market, Starlink offers the highest speeds and largest data caps, but it comes at a premium. Hughesnet is the cheapest and available everywhere, but its speeds max out at 100Mbps. Viasat lands in the middle with solid speeds, no data cap, and no contract requirement plan is more expensive but doesn’t require a contract, though it’s priced higher than Hughesnet.
| Provider | Price | Data | Installation | Download speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hughesnet | $49.99–$94.99/month with a 24-month commitment | 100–200 GB | Free | 50–100 Mbps |
| Starlink | $120–$500/month | Unlimited standard data, 40 GB–5 TB priority data | $349 | Up to 220 Mbps |
| Viasat | $129.99/month | Unlimited high-speed. No priority. | Up to $300 | 25–150 Mbps |
Note: Prices and other data are current as of this writing and may change in the future.
Does satellite internet work in bad weather?
Heavy rain, snow, or dense cloud cover can weaken satellite internet signals. This effect, known as “rain fade,” happens when moisture in the air absorbs or scatters radio waves. Snow and ice can also collect on satellite dishes, which may further degrade performance.
However, modern satellite systems are designed to minimize weather-related interference. Starlink, for instance, uses a dish equipped with heating elements to prevent snow buildup. While light rain or snow may not impact your connection, heavy storms can still cause slower speeds or brief outages.
Satellite internet connectivity across locations
Satellite internet service can reach almost any spot on Earth, which makes it a great choice for remote or rural areas. Traditional services like cable or fiber internet require physical cables and infrastructure, which may work for countries with the fastest internet but aren’t feasible in many hard-to-reach places. Satellite internet provides a solution by beaming the internet signal from above, allowing users in rural regions, mountainous areas, or even deserts to access the internet.
That said, a few limitations exist. Satellite internet is still limited in polar regions and areas with challenging terrain that might obstruct a dish’s line of sight to the satellite. However, with providers like Starlink continuing to expand, these gaps are gradually being closed.
The impact of VPNs on satellite internet
Using a VPN with satellite internet can add privacy and security but may slightly reduce speeds. Because VPNs encrypt your traffic and route it through a secure “tunnel” for information to travel, the process adds another step to your connection, which can impact overall speed. Latency is already higher on satellite internet because of the distance signals travel, so VPN usage could increase delays.
If you need a VPN for work or personal security, here are a couple of tips:
- Opt for a satellite internet service that supports VPNs. Starlink routers come with a built-in VPN passthrough feature, making it easy to set up a Starlink VPN connection.
- Choose VPN servers nearby. Connecting to a server close to your location can help minimize added latency.
Using a VPN may slightly affect speed, but it can still work well with satellite internet, especially for everyday browsing and basic activities.
Gaming and streaming over satellite internet
Is satellite internet good for data-heavy activities like gaming and streaming? A satellite connection can handle both, but you should keep in mind a couple of factors.
How much internet speed you need depends on what you use it for. Fast-paced games, like shooters or real-time strategy games, rely on low latency to enable gamers to respond quickly to gameplay. Traditional satellite internet’s higher latency (due to signal travel time) may cause noticeable lag in these situations. However, turn-based or single-player games are generally playable.
Satellite internet also works for streaming videos on platforms like YouTube. While buffering may occur in less ideal weather, the higher-speed satellite internet providers have made HD and even 4K streaming viable, especially in areas where satellite internet is the only option.
Satellite internet upload capabilities
As with other connection types, the upload speed on satellite internet tends to be slower than the download speed. Networks prioritize downloads because most users consume more content than they upload.
Slower upload speeds may be noticeable if you need to upload large files or frequently use cloud storage. However, satellite upload speeds are generally adequate for standard activities like sending emails or uploading photos.
The reliability of satellite internet during power outages
In a power outage, satellite internet will go down unless you have a backup power solution. While satellite systems don’t depend on ground-based infrastructure for connectivity, your modem and satellite dish still require electricity. If you’re in an area prone to outages, a generator or UPS (uninterruptible power supply) can help keep your internet connection up and running during a blackout.