Satellite Internet Explained: How It Works & Why It Matters
Executive Summary
Internet connectivity is critical to communications, national security and economic stability, making internet infrastructure a key pillar of a nation’s critical systems.
Satellite internet has emerged as an important part of this information infrastructure. It addresses the fundamental limitations of ground-based networks by providing resilient, global internet coverage that functions regardless of terrain, population density or infrastructure development. This technology represents not just a backup system but a transformative approach to internet provision.
Satellite megaconstellations mark a new age in space-based internet. They involve hundreds or even thousands of satellites orbiting a few hundred kilometres above Earth. Together, they form a network that beams internet services directly from space. This ‘internet in the sky’ has democratised satellite internet access.
Satellite internet has applications across many domains - military operations, disaster response, healthcare services, agricultural productivity, transportation, and public services. The inherently dual-use nature of satellite internet technology—serving both civilian and military purposes—creates complex security dynamics.
The potential and risks of satellite internet highlight the need for strategic investments. It is also important to integrate their use in disaster response protocols and leverage their potential to bridge the digital divide. Finally, it is necessary to establish regulation to tackle security concerns and engage in international forums to shape the technology’s future.
This document represents the first in a planned series examining satellite internet. It focuses solely on the technological fundamentals of satellite internet systems, explaining their infrastructure, functioning, and applications. Regulatory aspects, policy frameworks, and governance challenges will be addressed comprehensively in future documents in this series.
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