Low Earth Orbit or LEO satellites have been called the new space race. In the next few years, several companies aim to launch thousands of small satellites around the globe, promising to deliver high-speed Internet with speeds that rival fiber to customers in remote locations.
But do LEOs live up to the hype? How do LEOs and other satellite technology fit into the overall communication landscape? To answer those questions, I will be moderating a webinar on December 10 that will discuss satellite technology, how LEOs work and when we can expect to see this technology in Alaska.
To preview the webinar, I spoke with GCI’s Senior Technical Advisor Jimmy Sipes about this innovative satellite technology.
Lori: What are LEOs?
Jimmy: LEOs are Low Earth Orbit satellites that operate from an altitude of about 155 to 1,250 miles above the Earth’s surface. A LEO constellation typically is comprised of hundreds to thousands of satellites, which connects traffic between user and gateway terminals. It is the gateway terminal that connects the user terminal to the Internet.
Lori: How are LEOs different from traditional communications satellites?
Jimmy: Traditional communications satellites are located in a Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) or geosynchronous orbit at an altitude of approximately 22,300 miles above the Earth’s equator. The GEO satellite orbits at the same speed as the Earth is turning, thus appearing to be a fixed point in the sky at all times.
Since LEO satellites are much closer to Earth, data and communications have less distance to travel, resulting in lower latency than traditional satellites.
Lori: What is the purpose of these satellites, and why are people so excited about them?
Jimmy: Ultimately, the purpose of creating a large constellation of LEOs is to have reliable, constant, 100% global Internet coverage at an affordable price. According to the World Economic Forum, approximately half of the world’s population are without internet access, and LEOs have the potential to change that.
People are excited about LEOs and the possibility of connecting the entire world to Internet. This could have an impact on global business, global surveillance, and imaging.
Lori: What is next?
Jimmy: We will continue to see rapid progress and commercialization of LEOs and other satellite technologies. As the leading provider of satellite connectivity in Alaska, GCI is in active talks with LEO providers to ensure our customers get reliable cost-effective connectivity.
Want to Learn More?
GCI is hosting a webinar on December 10 at 12 PM (AKST) to discuss what’s next for Alaska when it comes to next generation satellites and other developing technology. I’ll be joined by Greg Chapados, President & COO of GCI; Jimmy Sipes, Senior Technical Advisor, GCI; and special guest Christine O’Connor, Executive Director, Alaska Telecommunications Association. The speakers will discuss what Alaska businesses can expect to see from satellite telecommunications providers. You can register here.