Podcast #1214: LEO (Low Earth Orbit) Satellite Internet

On this week’s show we take a look at the pros and cons of Low Earth Orbiting Satellites and ask if competition from them could lower your Internet bills. One of our listeners does a good analysis of what it would cost cordcutters to watch every NFL and most College football games. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

• Hulu App to Be Phased Out as Disney Is ‘Fully Integrating’ Service Into Disney+
• Fubo drops 100,000 subscribers in Q2
• HBO Max to enforce password-sharing crackdown in Sept. 
• Fubo readying sports-only plan for 2025 season
• Amazon Launches 24 Satellites Aboard SpaceX Rocket to Build Its Home Internet Service

Other:

• dbx 510 Subharmonic Synthesizer for Creating Amazing Deep Bass in Your Home Theater

LEO (Low Earth Orbit) Satellite Internet

On a recent show we talked about High Speed internet eliminating the need for over the air broadcasting. However we understand that not everyone has access to high speed internet. We mentioned Low Earth Obiting (LEO) satellites as an option. With the news that Amazon has begun putting it's network together, we decided to look at the pros and cons of this type of Internet delivery.

LEO satellite internet, like Starlink and the upcoming Amazon Project Kuiper, offers several advantages over traditional satellite based internet. Here's a comparison of the benefits:

1. Benefits of LEO-Based Internet
   • Lower Latency:
   • LEO satellites orbit at 200-2,000 km, much closer than geostationary satellites (35,786 km). This reduces round-trip data travel time, resulting in latency of 20-50 ms compared to 600+ ms for geostationary systems.
   • Benefit: Faster response times for gaming, video calls, and real-time applications, closer to terrestrial fiber (10-30 ms).
2. Global Coverage:
   • LEO constellations, with thousands of satellites, provide internet to remote and rural areas where terrestrial infrastructure (fiber, DSL) is unavailable or costly to deploy.
   • Benefit: Connects underserved regions, ships, planes, and isolated locations.
3. Higher Speeds:
   • LEO systems can deliver download speeds of 100-400 Mbps (with potential for more as technology improves) and upload speeds of 10-40 Mbps, rivaling or exceeding many terrestrial broadband connections.
   • Benefit: Supports streaming, large downloads, and multiple users simultaneously.
4. Scalability:
   • LEO constellations can add more satellites to increase capacity and coverage, adapting to demand more flexibly than laying new cables or building cell towers.
   • Benefit: Easier to expand and improve network performance over time.
5. Resilience:
   • Distributed satellite networks are less vulnerable to single points of failure (e.g., damaged cables or local outages) compared to terrestrial infrastructure.
   • Benefit: More reliable in disaster-prone areas or during natural events.
6. Portability:
   • LEO user terminals (e.g., Starlink dishes) are compact and can be set up anywhere with a clear sky view, enabling mobile or temporary use.
   • Benefit: Ideal for travelers, RVs, or temporary sites like construction zones.

Limitations of LEO Internet Compared to Traditional Internet:

1. Cost:
   • LEO internet often requires expensive user equipment (e.g., $300-$600 for a Starlink dish) and monthly subscriptions ($50-$150, depending on region/plan).
   • Traditional internet typically has lower upfront costs (e.g., modem/router) and competitive pricing in urban areas.
2. Weather Sensitivity:
   • LEO signals can be affected by heavy rain, snow, or dense cloud cover, though less severely than geostationary systems.
   • Traditional fiber or cable is generally immune to weather-related disruptions.
3. Network Congestion:
   •  In high-density areas, LEO systems may experience reduced speeds if too many users connect to the same satellite or ground station.
   • Traditional broadband, especially fiber, often handles high user density better in urban settings.
4. Line-of-Sight Requirement:
   • LEO terminals need a clear view of the sky, which can be challenging in dense urban areas or locations with tall trees/buildings.
   • Traditional internet (e.g., cable, fiber) doesn’t require line-of-sight.
5. Data Caps and Throttling:
   • Some LEO providers impose data caps or throttle speeds during peak usage, whereas many traditional ISPs offer unlimited plans in urban areas.
   • Benefit to traditional: More predictable performance for heavy users.

Summary

LEO-based internet excels in global reach, low latency, and flexibility, making it a game-changer for remote areas, mobility, and disaster resilience. However, traditional internet (fiber, cable, DSL) often provides lower costs, higher reliability, and better performance in urban areas with established infrastructure. The choice depends on location, use case, and budget, at least for now.