Fast Internet is increasingly becoming an integral part of the daily life of the society. Before, enjoying high speed broadband connection at a blazing speed was only possible in areas served by wired communications providers or mobile phone companies. Everything changed with the launching of K and C band satellite technology. Now, more households and businesses can enjoy fast Internet connection even if they do not have a cable or wired phone service. Furthermore, satellite networks are also increasingly becoming integrated with modern wireless infrastructures, thus allowing Internet service providers to serve more regions.
Ka and C-band satellites, unlike cell towers, are capable of sending and processing radio wave signals to and from widely separated zones. Fiber optic connections and similar services do not always work toward investors' interests. Since fixed and wireless telecommunications companies can only operate their terrestrial networks in certain areas, large networks in small regions tend to have high redundancy . Needless to say, paying attention to small markets can be a financial disincentive, so the industry turn to leasing or retailing of bandwidth. This is more cost-effective than the expansion of terrestrial networks or cell towers.
By facilitating backhaul operations , teleports and satellites make wireless Internet possible in any place with satellite dish or VSAT. Satellite signals have longer ranges so they can send more data. Signals sent by satellite dishes travel 22,000 miles above the ground to reach geostationary satellites. They are commonly known by such term because of their permanent location in the orbit relative to Earth. Geostationary satellites also travel at higher altitude compared to other types of satellites. The advantageous position of geostationary satellites is the reason why they have a large coverage.
Teleports and hub stations operate gigantic satellite dishes called VSATS. They are equipped with transceivers which perform the critical functions needed for satellite signals to be processed by client devices and Internet networks. The distance of teleports from client devices does not matter because of the long-range signals of satellites.
Therefore, telecommunications companies are eager to use satellite networks to expand heir coverage, especially in rural areas. As a matter of fact, a single satellite is capable of providing wireless broadband to air travellers on an international flight. Thanks to satellite Internet, rural customers do not have to wait to get covered by terrestrial network in order to enjoy 4G broadband connection.
It has been proven throughout the years that mobile backhauling via Ka, Ku and C-band satellites greatly increased the quality and speed of both fixed and mobile Internet services of ISPs and telcos. The industry witnessed the alliance among companies in the satellite and telecommunications sectors to take advantage of the intercontinental coverage of Ka, Ku and C band satellites.
Take the case of Norsat International Inc. which recently merged with WiMax provider Bluemoon 4G Ltd. The alliance has improved the Irish ISP’s competitive stance in developing markets. Another satellite carrier which has reaped the benefits of having a hybrid network is Globalstar, which won an FCC approval to deploy WiMax as part of its backhaul component.
