• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

My TechDecisions

  • COVID-19 Update
  • Best of Tech Decisions
  • Topics
    • Video
    • Audio
    • Mobility
    • Unified Communications
    • IT Infrastructure
    • Network Security
    • Physical Security
    • Facility
    • Compliance
  • RFP Resources
  • Resources
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Project of the Week
  • Latest News
  • About Us
    SEARCH
IT Infrastructure, News

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites Will Change Internet Pricing Forever

Companies such as Amazon and SpaceX are revealing plans for Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites that many believe will drastically reduce the cost for internet coverage.

September 11, 2019 Jonathan Blackwood Leave a Comment

Despite the incredible accessibility of the internet itself, paying the price for that accessibility can often be high. Internet coverage isn’t cheap, especially for a utility that is becoming a necessity to survive in the digital age. In fact, the argument for cheaper internet has been raging for a few years now, specifically around net neutrality. However, that may not be the case for long, with companies looking to launch Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites in the near future.

According to The Next Web, Jeff Bezos at Amazon and Elon Musk at SpaceX are revealing plans for LEO satellites that will provide broadband internet access across the world. SpaceX is already underway, launching 60 satellites in preparation for a pilot program that will cover North America initially. Amazon recently announced Project Kuiper, which will ultimate see 3,236 satellites orbiting the Earth. Both companies are investing in the technology in order to make the internet more accessible to consumers.

According to TNW:

LEO satellites orbit extremely close to Earth, between 99 to 1200 miles (160-19,300 km) — versus 22,000 miles (35,400 km) of traditional GEO satellites — which means less time to transfer information (lower latency) and a quality of service comparable to wired cable and fiber broadband providers. The arrays will be precisely mapped into massive constellations to maximize coverage.

The LEO technology can offer access to rural areas and other locations with poor access, while bringing down the monthly price for internet for Americans everywhere. The largest problem is that many areas only have a single internet provider – and are beholden to those prices. As LEO technology will be available anywhere, with no need for physical infrastructures ISPs are used to, it can effectively bring competition to all of these areas.

This offers a huge opportunity to technology managers operating an organization within areas with only one ISP. Competition means competitive prices, and a lower bottom line for the same bandwidth – or companies will actually be able to increase their coverage for the same price. Either way, this is a win for consumers and companies alike.

Jonathan Blackwood
Jonathan Blackwood

Jonathan Blackwood is the Editor-in-Chief of TechDecisions. Jonathan joined TechDecisions in 2014 and writes about technologies that help to innovate and improve practices for companies of all sizes, K-12 and higher education, government, healthcare, hospitality, retail and large venue spaces. He is especially interested in the future of work and education and the Internet of Things. Follow him @BlackwoodTweets.

Tagged With: Bandwidth, Internet

Related Content:

  • Ransomware Sophos, Dragos OT, Operational Technology Ransomware Continues to Disrupt Operational Technology Environments
  • Microsoft Build Teams 365 Microsoft Introduces New Collaborative App Capabilities for Teams,…
  • Verizon Ransomware Report Verizon Report Suggests Ransomware Is Getting Worse
  • Microsoft Passwordless, Password Security, managing passwords, high-level executives passwords The Most Common Password Used Amongst CEOs

Free downloadable guide you may like:

  • The State of the IT Department in 2022

    The role of the IT professional has shifted from one that supports the business to one that is deserving of a seat at the table when it comes to making business decisions. Check out our new report to see what your peers in IT think about top concerns and opportunities in 2022.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the FREE Tech Decisions eNewsletter

Sign up Today!

Latest Downloads

The State of the IT Department in 2022

The role of the IT professional has shifted from one that supports the business to one that is deserving of a seat at the table when it comes to ma...

Hybrid Work Challenges
The Three Most Common Hybrid Work Challenges Two Years Into the Pandemic

Many of us have been working in a hybrid environment for two years now. Our editors thought this would be a good time to take a look at what’s work...

These 10 IT Certifications Are Critical To An IT Pro’s Success in 2022

Here are 10 cloud, data and security certifications that we identify as critical to an IT professional’s resume in 2022 and beyond, according to a ...

View All Downloads

Would you like your latest project featured on TechDecisions as Project of the Week?

Apply Today!
Sharp Microsoft Collaboration HQ Logo

Learn More About the
Windows Collaboration Display

More from Our Sister Publications

Get the latest news about AV integrators and Security installers from our sister publications:

Commercial IntegratorSecurity Sales

AV-iQ

Footer

TechDecisions

  • Home
  • Welcome to TechDecisions
  • Subscribe to the Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Media Solutions & Advertising
  • Comment Guidelines
  • RSS Feeds
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin

Free Technology Guides

FREE Downloadable resources from TechDecisions provide timely insight into the issues that IT, A/V, and Security end-users, managers, and decision makers are facing in commercial, corporate, education, institutional, and other vertical markets

View all Guides
TD Project of the Week

Get your latest project featured on TechDecisions Project of the Week. Submit your work once and it will be eligible for all upcoming weeks.

Enter Today!

© 2022 Emerald X, LLC. All rights reserved.