Satellite broadband can only complement terrestrial broadband since costs of satellite broadband will always be higher.

Satellite could be put into space into low orbits between 160 and 2000 kms above the earth. These are called low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites. They provide low communication latency but cover a small part of the earth’s surface. Medium-earth-orbit or MEO satellites are between 2000 and 35,786 kms above the earth. They are used for navigation like GPS communication satellites. Satellites could be placed in geosynchronous orbit and are called GEO Satellites. They are at or over 35,786 kms above the earth’s surface. They are used for weather forecasting, infrared images and navigation.

Starlink of Musk has put in over 800 satellites, compared to 74 of OneWeb. They could operate with Universal Aecess Service License or UASL. There could be cost for spectrum — KU band. OneWeb wants to cater to the Himalayan region, dense forest region, desert region of Rajasthan and Africa and Asia. Satellite connection is an alternative technology in remote areas and interiors.

Satellite weights have come down from almost 700 kg to 150-260 kg. That has reduced costs. There is high throughput in satellites exceeding 500 GBPs. It has reduced the cost per megabit. The challenging part is the cost of equipment at home to power the broadband. Here subsidisation will be necessary.