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Future Trends in Satellite Internet
By Editor | November 30, 2006
As of today, satellites are the only way to successfully transmit data or provide Internet connectivity to remote areas. There are some industries where it is essential that data be exchanged with 100% reliability with no scope for error and these industries are especially hard hit in remote regions because of a lack of connectivity. Satellite Internet covers wide geographical regions and are now capable of connecting the complete North America and Europe. Since these satellites also include a wide bandwidth pipe when compared to other forms of connectivity it is easy to understand why certain industries would prefer to have the same facility all over the world.
The recently provided broadband connectivity through the Internet uses an asymmetric connection to the Internet backbone. It has been demonstrating many times that users tend to download far greater data than they upload and hence the connection to the backbone bandwidth is not equal for the two types of data. For example, the same connection from the backbone to the user will function at 2 MBit/s while the return signals from the user to the backbone only reach up to a maximum of 512 kBit/s (a quarter of the download speed). The connection that serves as the backbone for this Internet connectivity might be in the United States east coast or in Europe for connection between the two landmasses.
While the urban users have always enjoyed the latest availability and Internet connections, it is the rural users and others located in remote regions where conventional connectivity is not possible, that truly benefit from satellite Internet. Home users in urban areas prefer DSL or cable Internet connection. Remote areas do not have the infrastructure for broadband connections and such dial-up connectivity as exists is too slow to be practical in these times. In a sense, the technology is there but the hardware is missing.
Satellite Internet does not require any wires to connect to a computer of other device. What it does need is a satellite overhead for transmission and reception of data. This is accomplished through an antenna placed on the roof or other place clear of overhead obstructions. Signals are then sent from the computing device to the dish and from the dish to the satellite, and back. Even then in most cases the connection speed of satellite Internet is slower than DSL and cable connections. This prevents the users of satellite Internet from enjoying some services like real-time video transmission or games.
Right now the cost of a single connection of satellite Internet is too costly and unless there is a revenue sharing in remote areas only rich people and companies can afford the installation and running fees. Other problems include natural disturbances disrupting connectivity through bad weather and so on. The last however is a mere technical limitation that will be solved in the near future.
Topics: Satellite Internet |