Satellite internet

Satellite internet provides internet access through radio links between user terminals, satellites, and terrestrial gateways. It can serve locations where terrestrial networks are unavailable or difficult to build.

User terminal: Equipment that sends and receives data over a communications network on behalf of an end user. A satellite dish and modem connect the subscriber’s devices to the satellite link.
Radio wave: An electromagnetic wave used to carry signals through space and other media. Satellite links encode data onto radio waves that travel between spacecraft and ground equipment.
Rural broadband: High-speed internet service for sparsely populated or remote areas. Satellite links can reach homes beyond the practical reach of cable or fiber.
Fiber-optic communication: The transmission of information as light through optical fibers. Fiber typically offers much greater capacity and lower latency where installation is practical.
Hughes Network Systems: A telecommunications company that develops satellite broadband systems and services. Hughes has been a major provider of consumer satellite internet, especially in the Americas.
Satellite transponder: A communications payload that receives, processes, and retransmits radio signals, often on a different frequency. It relays signals between user terminals and gateway stations.
Frequency band: A range of radio frequencies allocated or used for a particular purpose. Satellite services use designated bands, each with distinct propagation and capacity trade-offs.
Maritime communication: Communication services used by ships and other vessels at sea. Satellites connect vessels far beyond the coverage of shore-based networks.
Digital subscriber line: Broadband internet delivered over existing copper telephone lines. DSL uses local wired infrastructure rather than a satellite link.
Viasat: A communications company that provides satellite broadband and other connectivity services. Its satellite networks serve residential, government, aviation, and maritime customers.

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