UK Satellite Broadband: The Ultimate Guide To Understanding Your Options

Key Points:

• Satellite broadband is an internet service that uses low-earth-orbit (LEO) or geostationary satellite signals to provide internet access to homes and businesses.
• This makes it an ideal option for remote areas or rural homes, where traditional methods of getting online are not possible or impractical.
• Satellite internet is not as fast as fibre broadband or cable. Nonetheless, it is adequate for browsing and other regular online activity.
• Pricing for satellite broadband can vary significantly depending on the provider and location. Generally speaking, satellite broadband is more expensive than fibre or cable.

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Do you live in an area in the UK where the quality of the internet service is just not good enough? Are you constantly frustrated with slow speeds, buffering, and other issues?

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You're not the only one. There are quite a number of people across the UK, especially in rural areas, who struggle to get good internet service. Life can be difficult if you don't have an internet connection, as you cannot shop, work or do anything else online.

If you cannot access fibre broadband or mobile 4g internet, satellite broadband is a good option. And depending on your requirements, there are several types of satellite broadband providers.

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However, It is essential to understand that satellite broadband has limitations and should not be relied on as the primary way to access the internet. This guide will help you understand satellite broadband in detail to determine if it's the right solution for your needs.

What is satellite broadband?

You may be familiar with how satellite TV works. A satellite dish is positioned above your house, and the receiver sends signals to the TV, allowing you to watch channels worldwide. Similarly, satellite broadband uses satellites to send internet signals into your home. This means that you can access the internet no matter where you are in the UK - even if there is not an accessible tower nearby.

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Unlike traditional kinds of the internet, such as cable or ADSL, satellite broadband does not rely on telephone lines. The installation process also is quicker as comparatively lesser equipment, and connections are required.u00a0

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But even though there is a direct link between your home dish and the satellite, download and upload rates are slower than with a standard cable connection. They are, nevertheless, ten times quicker than dial-up.

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Typically, with a satellite broadband connection, you can expect download speeds of 500 Kbps and upload speeds of around 80 Kbps. However, these speeds are impacted by various factors, including the chosen service package, your line of sight to the orbiting satellite, and the weather.

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Though satellite broadband can be costly at first, it is frequently less expensive in the long term than other forms of internet. Furthermore, since it doesn't rely on wires or cables, there's little chance of it being disturbed or damaged. So, satellite broadband may be a good option if you live in a remote location and are looking for more reliable internet access.

Is satellite broadband and satellite TV the same?

Satellite broadband and satellite TV are not the same things. Satellite broadband is a high-speed internet service that uses satellites to deliver data to subscribers. Satellite TV, on the other hand, is a type of television service that uses antennas to receive programming over the air from channels broadcast by direct-to-home (DTH) satellite providers.u00a0

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Okay now that you know they are different, You still may be confused as many companies in the UK provide satellite TV bundles that also include internet access.u00a0

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These companies solely employ satellite for TV broadcast signals, while internet service is transmitted over the same cables as all other providers. So, what really defines "true" satellite broadband services?

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To be considered true satellite broadband, the service must have a:

• Specialist satellite provider:u00a0 Direct satellite internet access is not provided by well-known companies (much to the chagrin of satellite broadband providers). It is a specialised, niche service, and as such, companies such as bigblu (recently bought by Eutelsat), konnect, or Broadband Everywhere supply it.
• Satellite dish: To receive internet over satellite a dish needs to be installed on the exterior of your home. This is not the same as a Sky TV dish. You'll need two dishes if you want both Sky TV and satellite internet.
• Subscription plan: After installation of the hardware equipment you will need to sign up for a monthly satellite broadband plan.u00a0
• Satellite broadband connection: To connect your home computer to the satellite dish without interruption, your dish must have a good view of the sky. While this gives you a lot of possibilities for placement, it's worth determining which direction the dish must point to have a sense of where it should be located on your property.

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How do satellite broadband services work?

Now that you understood what is a true satellite broadband service and what distinguishes it, you should be able to understand how these services work.

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Satellite broadband employs a five-tiered relay system:

• Internet-ready gadget
• Internet Modem/ router
• Satellite dish
• Satellite in space
• Network Operations Center (NOC)

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Internet-ready gadget

An internet-ready device is any device that can connect to the internet using the appropriate service like your PC. You may also connect to satellite broadband via a tablet, smartphone, smart TV, gaming console, or any other internet-enabled device.

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Internet modem/ router

This is where your satellite broadband service connects with your home's existing copper or fibre optic telephone line. The modem's job is to bridge the gap between terrestrial and satellite signals, allowing you to browse the web, send and receive emails, and use other online applications without having an interruption in service.

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However, those cables can become messy, and gadgets like tablets and smartphones will still require Wi-Fi connectivity. This is when a router comes in handy. It connects to the modem to enable Wi-Fi functionality.

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Satellite dishu00a0 (aka Gateway Module)

The dish is what receives signals from the satellite and relays them to your home's connection. There are a number of different types of dishes, but all work in essentially the same way.

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Satellite in space

The final component is the satellite itself. This is where communication between your computer and the satellite takes place. They rotate with the globe, ensuring that the signal relay remains continuous. This is known as a geostationary orbit. It enables a two-way data connection between your dish and the provider hub, also known as the NOC.

It's important to note that even though you're connecting through satellites, your internet connection still relies on terrestrial infrastructure - meaning that if there's an outage at either end of your link, you'll still be unable to access anything online.

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Network Operations Center (NOC)

Your NOC is responsible for monitoring and managing your satellite broadband service. Whenever you request information via the internet, whether by clicking a link, watching a video, or accessing Facebook, the data from that query is submitted over the aforesaid relay. The satellite then transmits the request to the NOC.

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Because the information must travel so far, you may experience higher delay (also known as lag) than you would with ADSL or cable internet, although technological developments have made satellite internet considerably quicker than it used to be.

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What are the benefits of satellite broadband?

Satellite broadband is one of the newest and most revolutionary technologies available today. There are several benefits to satellite broadband that make it a valuable choice for businesses and consumers alike.

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• Satellite internet does not require a phone line.
• It is faster than dial-up internet. Depending on the bundle you choose, satellite speeds might range from 10x to 35x quicker than dial-up.
• Satellite internet connections can manage heavy bandwidth utilisation, therefore a large number of users or "peak use hours" should not hinder your internet speed/quality.
• It's also easier to install than traditional internet providers because there are fewer requirements.
• Satellite providers use high-grade satellites and strong antennas to ensure that your connection is always stable and error-free.

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Are there any disadvantages to using satellite broadband over traditional internet services?

As previously said, satellite broadband should be considered as a last resort when all other possibilities for obtaining an internet connection have been exhausted. This is mostly due to the following drawbacks:

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Internet speeds: Satellite broadband provides download rates of around 33 Mbps, which is quite decent. You will have no problems with day-to-day activities, however, you may have some difficulties with 4k live streaming. In comparison to satellite internet, fibre broadband provides substantially higher speeds.

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Price: Getting a satellite broadband connection is not cheap. Satellite internet service packages are more expensive than fibre and ADSL, which give the same speeds. Moreover, the installation costs are high too. If you choose a satellite broadband connection, be prepared for its meagre bandwidth constraints.

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Dish installation: It is necessary to have a satellite dish installed at your home. However, because the dish must face in a specific direction, this might be problematic, especially in hard-to-reach areas of your home's exterior. Installing a dish may also detract from the overall appearance of your home.

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Limited data packages: While just a few providers offer unlimited data, most disconnect you after you surpass your data limit. Data packs are similar to those used in mobile phones. This might be aggravating if you want to binge-watch episodes on Netflix or other streaming applications. An example bundle costs u00a330 per month for 10GB of data - around two movies' worth - and this does not include installation and setup expenses, which may be as high as u00a3495! We did mention it was pricey!

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High latency: Because you're beaming to a satellite and back, anything requiring minimal delay (or latency) is out of the question. Some people experience high latency while streaming 4k live on satellite broadband. This is due to the low bandwidth of satellite signals, which often result in choppy video and laggy gameplay.

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Satellite broadband providers in the UK

There are several companies that provide satellite broadband services in the UK. a few from the list are:

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• Broadband Everywhere
• konnect
• bigblu
• Freedomsat
• WiSpire
• Prime Satellite Broadband (PSC)
• NotSpot

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They all use different technologies and offer different speeds and prices. It's important to compare these before deciding which one is right for you.

Top alternatives to consider before choosing satellite broadbandu00a0

Before deciding on satellite broadband, it is critical to look into alternative, less expensive options. Once you've crossed out all only then opt for a satellite broadband connection. Some of the most popular alternatives to consider include:

4G/5G mobile broadband: A variety of mobile broadband companies offer high-speed internet access. Vodafone, Three, O2, and EE are a few examples. You may sign up for their 4G or 5G internet services and then use your mobile phone to create a wireless hotspot to access the internet on other devices.

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ADSL:u00a0 ADSL is still a popular broadband technology, and it offers decent speeds for homes and businesses. ISPs like BT, Sky Broadband, Virgin Media, EE, Plusnet and TalkTalk offer ADSL services in the UK.

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Fibre: BT, Sky, EE, and TalkTalk are some of the major providers in the UK that offer fibre broadband. Uses a combination of copper cables, optical fibre and wireless technologies to exchange data.

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Full fibre: A full fibre connection is the best option for those who want the fastest speeds possible. It offers ultrafast broadband with up to 1Gbps down and 400Mbps up. Just a few providers in the UK offer this type of service. With this type of broadband, you can connect your house to the provider's infrastructure through an aerial cable, and then enjoy blazing-fast speeds. Some people find this service more reliable than satellite because there is no chance of signal loss or interference from other devices in your home. However, FTTP can be a bit more expensive than standard ADSL or satellite services.

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Understanding if broadband is available in your area can be pretty tough. that is why we built a tool that lists all different broadband providers for your postcode. It works like magic saving you big bucks!

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So should you consider getting a satellite broadband connection?

At present, Satellite broadband connections only provide limited bandwidth and suffer from high latency. Additionally, the installation costs are quite high - especially if you want an unlimited data pack. If you're willing to put up with these disadvantages, satellite broadband might be a good fit for your needs.

If you want to find the best broadband deals in your area, use BroadbandUK. We provide accurate and up-to-date information about offers from different broadband internet providers all across the country. Just type in your postcode and start comparing prices!

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FAQs

What is satellite broadband internet?

Satellite broadband refers to network connection supplied by low-earth orbit (LEO) or geostationary satellites. You can gain two-way internet connectivity in even the most remote parts of the UK by using a satellite dish.

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How fast is satellite broadband?

Satellite broadband connections can provide speeds of up to 100 Mbps, which is equivalent to most ADSL and Fibre base packages.

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How much does satellite internet cost?

It depends on the package you choose. Satellite broadband prices can range from about u00a320 to about u00a387 or even higher. Packages with larger data limits typically cost more.

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