Mechanism of Satellite-Based Internet Connectivity

Why in the news?

1. In today’s digital world, having internet access is a basic need for both civilians and the military.
2. With Elon Musk’s Starlink, a satellite internet service, soon starting in India, the way the internet works in the country is likely to change in a big way.

What does satellite internet mean?

1. Satellite internet is a type of wireless internet service that uses communication satellites in Earth’s orbit to provide internet connectivity to remote and rural areas.
2. A user’s dish antenna sends and receives data from a satellite in space, which communicates with a ground station connected to the internet backbone.
3. Types:
   1. GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit): Offers wide coverage but higher latency (~600 ms).
   2. LEO (Low Earth Orbit): Provides lower latency (~20–40 ms) and faster speeds (e.g., Starlink).
4. Advantages: Wide coverage, useful where fiber or mobile networks are unavailable.
5. Limitations: Higher latency (for GEO), costlier than terrestrial networks, affected by weather.

What are the features of satellite internet?

1. New Era of Space-Based Internet:
   1. The rise of satellite mega-constellations like Starlink marks a shift in internet technology.
   2. These consist of hundreds or thousands of satellites orbiting a few hundred kilometres above Earth.
   3. Often called “internet in the sky,” it enables connectivity across vast and remote areas.
2. Wide Range of Applications
   1. Civil Uses: Healthcare, agriculture, transportation, disaster response.
   2. Military Uses: Tactical communication, surveillance, operational readiness in remote areas.
   3. Dual-Use Nature: Serves both civilian and defence needs, creating complex security challenges.
3. Real World Impact Examples:
   1. Hurricane Harvey (2017): 70% of cell towers in affected Texas regions were knocked out; Viasat’s satellite internet enabled coordination of rescue operations.
   2. Russia-Ukraine War: Starlink supported Ukrainian forces for troop movements, medical evacuation, and drone operations; some drones equipped with Starlink bypassed Russian jamming.
   3. Indian Army at Siachen Glacier: Ensured communication and operational readiness in extreme isolation.
4. Security Concerns:
   1. Borderless nature can aid illicit activities.
   2. In India, security forces have seized smuggled Starlink devices from insurgent groups and drug networks.
   3. Control over satellite internet is, therefore, emerging as a new dimension of national power.

Why Do We Need Satellite Internet?

1. Limitations of Ground-Based Networks
   1. Depend on physical infrastructure like cables and towers.
   2. Economically unviable in sparsely populated or remote regions.
   3. Vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes.
   4. Struggle to meet demand for mobile or temporary connectivity.
2. Advantages of Satellite Internet
   1. Provides global coverage, unaffected by terrain or lack of terrestrial infrastructure.
   2. Can be deployed quickly to meet sudden surges in demand.
   3. Enables connectivity for moving platforms (e.g., airplanes) and remote sites (e.g., offshore oil rigs).
   4. Offers a resilient, large-scale solution that complements or replaces traditional networks.
   5. Acts as a transformative technology for the digital economy, civil infrastructure, and military operations.

How does satellite internet work?

1. Network Structure: Comprises two main segments:
   1. Space Segment: Satellites in orbit carrying communication payloads for data transmission.
   2. Ground Segment: Earth-based equipment (antennas, ground stations) that communicate with satellites.
2. Satellite Characteristics:
   1. Satellites are the most capital intensive components with a lifespan of around 5-20 years.
   2. Deployment planning is crucial, especially for orbital altitude, which determines coverage and capabilities.
3. Types of orbits in which satellites can be placed:
   1. Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO): High altitude, wide coverage, higher latency.
   2. Medium Earth Orbit (MEO): Mid-range altitude, balanced speed and coverage.
   3. Low Earth Orbit (LEO): Low altitude, fast speeds, low latency (used by Starlink).

What are the differences between satellites deployed in different orbits?

1. Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO)
   1. Altitude: ~35,786 km above the equator.
   2. Matches Earth’s rotation → appears stationary relative to one point on Earth.
   3. Coverage: Nearly one-third of Earth (excluding polar regions).
   4. Example: Viasat’s Global Xpress (GX).
   5. Features: Large size. They act as “bent-pipe” meaning they just relay signals back to earth without processing them.
   6. Drawback: High latency → unsuitable for time-sensitive tasks like video calls or real-time payments.
2. Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
   1. Altitude: Between 2,000 km and 35,786 km.
   2. Balance between GEO’s coverage and LEO’s low latency.
   3. Requires a constellation for global coverage. (It means that satellite internet systems need many satellites working together in a network (called a constellation) to provide continuous, worldwide internet service)
   4. Drawback: Latency lower than GEO but still not ideal for high-speed, real-time applications. Large and costly to launch.
3. Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
   1. Altitude: Below 2,000 km.
   2. Very low latency due to proximity to Earth.
   3. Smaller size (often table-sized) → cheaper and faster to deploy.
   4. Drawback: They have a smaller coverage area.
   5. Requires mega-constellations for global coverage (e.g., Starlink’s 7,000+ satellites in orbit currently, planned expansion to 42,000 satellites).

How Do LEO Mega-Constellations Work?

1. Small Satellites with On-Board Processing
   1. LEO satellites in mega-constellations are smaller and equipped with on-board signal processing.
   2. This improves data transmission efficiency, enhances signal quality, and provides more operational flexibility.
   3. On-board intelligence reduces the complexity of ground equipment, making user terminals smaller, cheaper, and easier to install for households.
2. Optical Inter-Satellite Links
   1. Satellites communicate directly with each other in space using optical (laser) links.
   2. This creates a global “internet in the sky” that can route data without always relying on ground stations.
   3. Benefits include reduced latency and greater transmission efficiency.
3. Continuous Global Coverage
   1. LEO satellites move at about 27,000 km/h, remaining in a user’s line of sight for only a few minutes.
   2. To maintain uninterrupted connectivity, the system hands over connections seamlessly from one satellite to the next.
4. Advanced Antenna Technology
   1. Steerable antennas on satellites track multiple users and ground stations at once.
   2. They operate like moving spotlights, ensuring stable connections even as satellites pass overhead.

What are the applications of satellite internet?

1. Ease of Use & Current Cost
   1. Modern LEO satellite internet offers compact, easy-to-install user terminals without requiring professional help.
   2. Current costs: terminals ≈ $500; monthly plans ≈ $50; higher than terrestrial broadband but valuable for remote users and industries needing reliable connectivity.
2. Future Developments
   1. Companies like AST SpaceMobile and Starlink are testing direct-to-smartphone services, potentially removing the need for separate terminals.
   2. Future devices such as smartphones and laptops may have built-in satellite internet capability.
3. Key Applications Across Sectors
   1. Communications: Extends network access to remote regions; enables the Internet of Everything (IoE).
   2. Transportation: Improves navigation, supports autonomous vehicles, and optimises logistics.
   3. Public Administration & Disaster Management: Powers smart cities, provides early warnings, and coordinates rescue operations.
   4. Healthcare: Enables telemedicine, remote diagnostics, and patient monitoring.
   5. Agriculture: Supports precision farming, crop health monitoring, and yield optimisation.
   6. Environment: Facilitates environmental monitoring and climate research.
   7. Energy & Exploration: Supports offshore drilling, mining, and renewable energy operations.
   8. Tourism & Defence: Enhances travel connectivity and strengthens military communications.

Way Forward

Satellite internet offers vast opportunities while simultaneously posing significant security and regulatory challenges. It is increasingly being recognised as a new pillar of global power. For India, it is essential to craft comprehensive strategies to integrate this technology into national resilience frameworks.

India should:

1. Make plans to use satellite internet for national security and disaster resilience.
2. Use it to reduce the digital divide, so even remote villages get online.
3. Boost the economy by enabling more people and businesses to connect.

India should help set international rules and governance for satellite internet, because the countries and companies that lead in this field will shape the future of global communication and influence.