As internet developed on research and university campuses, networking was done through physical wires. Even today when internet composition, infrastructure and technology has developed by leaps and bounds, connectivity primarily takes effect through wires only – from the slow dialup telephone connection, to the extremely fast optical fiber dedicated connection. Like all wired systems, internet too suffered from lack of mobility and reach. Wireless systems tried to fill in this need to have wider coverage and more mobility, satellite internet being one approach.

Satellite internet uses one or more communication satellites to send or receive data between computers. These satellites might be geostationary, which can cover a much larger area from a greater height, or they might be a combination of low-earth-orbit satellites having lesser latency time, but lesser coverage area as well. Since, satellite internet dispenses with the need to be wired, connectivity can be truly wireless with its two primary attendant benefits – absolute mobility, and full coverage – even in a desert or Antarctica where there is no ISP.

There are three types of satellite internet – one-way multicast, one-way terrestrial return, and two-way satellite access. Some extra hardware requirements are there, like the dish antenna. As a premium service, average cost of usage is usually higher than terrestrial connection, and very high speed connection is seldom practicable or commercially viable. The problem of latency – delay between release and reception of data – due to the huge distance traveled – from relay point to satellite to capture point – is a dampener in the use of voice and live video communication. However, its obvious advantage and unique feature render it essential to those who absolutely rely on satellite internet for data communication.