What is a space-based broadband network?

With the internet becoming such an integral part of our day-to-day infrastructure, it has been imperative to adapt and ensure a reliable and uninterrupted internet service. For most, the days of mid-game glitches are long gone, but this isn’t the case for all of us.

Universally, the internet is in constant and increasing demand. However, it is thought that more than half of the world’s population still do not have access to reliable internet networks. This has been for several reasons but is mostly due to the inaccessibility in rural areas that prevent the installation of mobile towers and underground cables. Until the revolution that is space-based networks.

How does a space-based network, work?

Commonly associated with the early days of consumer internet, we remember the digital dials, beeps and static soundtrack that was ‘dial-up’ internet.

Modems were a necessity and even then, the internet was slow and the World Wide Web was difficult to use for sourcing information.

*Broadband and Wi-Fi enters the chat* - and just like that, everything changes.

Speed, usability, and everything in between, the process of internet data requests would never be the same.

Rather than continuing to rely on a network of cables and wires, space-based networks transmit information wirelessly to and from satellite systems.

Space-based networks allow the data to travel from the user’s device to the satellite, which is then directed to data centres on the ground. The results of the data request will then make the journey back from the data centre to the satellite and back to the user.

Aside from the obvious speed and signal improvements, why is it necessary to launch satellites to provide internet services?

Internet is essential to the delivery of public services, business function, social connection and the world turning (joking), but seriously, the process of providing internet ensures that reliable and uninterrupted internet services continue to be delivered, and even expand the reach and inclusivity of that delivery, to grow humanity’s basic infrastructure.

How do we deliver this at italk?

Our lightning-fast broadband services aren’t yet delivered from a space-based network, but that doesn’t mean you miss out on quality broadband and fibre with us here at italk.

Most fibre is currently FTTC (Fibre to the cabinet), however as the Government continues to roll out gigabit-broadband, FTTP (Fibre to the premises) is being laid out across the UK.

This means the traditional copper phone lines are being switched out for high-grade fibre to handle gigabit speeds (1gbps)

Find out more about our broadband and fibre packages.


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