I learned a lot from my research into the state of the internet satellite industry for episode 30 of Big Tech Little Tech. I didn't know, for instance, that there are thousands of satellites in Earth's orbit solely there for the provision of internet services. The service that steals the headlines is usually Starlink by virtue of being owned and operated by Elon Musk through his SpaceX company. It is by no means alone.

As well as editing this week's episode for normal podcast consumption, I've created an extended video version, along with a transcript, which is hosted on Patreon. Access is available for a small monthly fee. But without further ado, here are my research notes for this episode.

Why do we need it? Who needs it?

• Ofcom says 96% of the UK has access to superfast broadband. However, if you have no access to ADSL, fibre optic, mobile or cable broadband, satellite internet is a viable option.
• If you live in a remote area, it’s a viable option.
• Some of the countries that frequently top the lists for fastest internet speeds include:

1. Monaco
2. Singapore
3. Hong Kong
4. Romania.
   
   

• 😲 Did you know that Jersey was the first jurisdiction in the world to upgrade its telecoms infrastructure to pure fibre?

How does it work, and how fast is it?

• Satellite broadband is transmitted using a wireless connection via a satellite dish.
• The connection is slower than normal broadband.
  
  

What do you need?

• A satellite dish and a transmitter attached to your property, and pointed to the south.

Who are the providers?

• The UK government is investing in satellite broadband as part of Project Gigabit. There hasn’t been much investment in broadband infrastructure and we’re hampered by outdated copper cabling for fibre services.
• 🛰️ Elon Musk's SpaceX makes use of a network of more than 4,000 low-orbit satellites and self-adjusting receiver dishes to provide high-speed internet services. According to PC Magazine, it has an estimated one million subscribers.

Any issues to be aware of?

• Latency, not speed. The distance signals have to travel creates lag. This can be overcome with Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.
• Data usage could be capped, and it’s expensive to set up and run monthly.
• The weather can affect connection reliability.