Staying Connected Everywhere – Even at Sea

In today’s world, we expect internet access wherever we go – from the office to remote offshore platforms and deep-sea vessels. For places where traditional mobile networks can’t reach, satellite communication systems step in. They provide the essential link between remote locations and the rest of the world.

But not all Satellite Communication Systems work the same way. Different satellite orbits, antennas, and providers offer varying levels of coverage, speed, and cost. In this article, we’ll break down the basics so you can get a clear picture of how satellite communication works and which options fit your needs best.

Satellite Orbits – How Position Impacts Performance

Satellites aren’t all floating at the same height. Depending on how high they orbit, they offer different benefits – and come with their own limitations. In general, there are three main orbit categories, but modern systems like O3b mPOWER show that these boundaries are shifting.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) – Close and Fast

LEO satellites fly at altitudes between 500 and 2,000 kilometers. Because they’re so close to Earth, the signal doesn’t have to travel far, resulting in low latency (short response times). To provide global coverage, LEO systems use large constellations with dozens or even thousands of satellites, constantly handing off connections as they move across the sky.

• Popular examples: Starlink, OneWeb, Iridium
• Best suited for: High-speed internet, real-time communication, low-latency data transfer

Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) – Balanced and Flexible

MEO satellites orbit at altitudes between 8,000 and 20,000 kilometers. They cover larger areas than LEO satellites and offer a good balance between coverage, performance, and cost. A well-known example is O3b mPOWER from SES, a MEO system designed to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet to remote and maritime regions – showing that MEO can achieve speeds and response times that rival LEO systems.

• Popular examples: O3b mPOWER, GPS, Galileo
• Best suited for: Navigation, positioning, high-performance regional connectivity (like for offshore platforms)

Geostationary Orbit (GEO) – Fixed and Wide

GEO satellites sit at around 36,000 kilometers and move in sync with Earth’s rotation, keeping them fixed over the same spot. This allows one satellite to cover an entire continent or ocean, making GEO systems a reliable choice for broadcasting, basic maritime connectivity, and emergency communication. Traditional GEO systems do have higher latency due to the distance, but systems like SES O3b demonstrate that combining GEO and MEO can deliver low-latency performance where needed.

• Popular examples: Inmarsat, Eutelsat, SES (GEO + MEO hybrid)
• Best suited for: Global broadcasting, basic broadband coverage, emergency and backup systems