- Satellite broadband delivers a connection from orbit, reaching almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky.
- Geostationary satellites orbit at around 35,786 km, while low earth orbit systems are far closer.
- Low earth orbit systems offer much lower latency than older geostationary services.
- Installation involves a dish, and planning permission may apply in some cases.
- Satellite is most valuable where fixed broadband and good mobile coverage are both unavailable.
Satellite broadband reaches almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky. Low earth orbit systems offer much lower latency than older geostationary ones, making satellite a genuine option where fixed broadband is absent.
Last reviewed: June 2026
What satellite broadband is
Satellite broadband delivers an internet connection from orbit rather than over a fixed line or a local mobile mast. A dish at the property communicates with satellites, which relay the connection to and from the wider internet. Because it does not depend on cables reaching the premises or on a nearby mobile mast, satellite can provide a connection almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky. This makes it particularly valuable for remote rural properties where fixed broadband is unavailable and mobile coverage is poor, giving them a route to connectivity that no ground-based option can match.
Satellite has long existed as an option, but it has changed significantly with the arrival of newer systems. Understanding the difference between the older and newer approaches is key to knowing what to expect from satellite broadband today.
Geostationary versus low earth orbit
There are two main approaches to satellite broadband, distinguished by the orbit the satellites use. Geostationary satellites orbit at around 35,786 km above the Earth, staying fixed relative to the ground, which means a single satellite can cover a large area but the signal must travel a very long distance. Low earth orbit systems, by contrast, use large numbers of satellites much closer to the Earth, which dramatically reduces the distance the signal travels. This difference has a major effect on latency, and the arrival of low earth orbit systems has made satellite broadband far more capable than the older geostationary services for many uses.
| Type | Orbit distance | Latency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geostationary (GEO) | Around 35,786 km | High, hundreds of ms | Wide coverage per satellite |
| Low earth orbit (LEO) | Much closer to Earth | Much lower | Many satellites, lower latency |
What to expect from latency
Latency is the area where the two approaches differ most. Because geostationary satellites are so far away, even at the speed of light the signal takes a noticeable time to travel to orbit and back, resulting in high latency measured in hundreds of milliseconds. This makes real-time activities such as video calls and online gaming difficult on geostationary services. Low earth orbit systems, being far closer, reduce latency dramatically, to levels that make video calls and many interactive activities practical. For anyone considering satellite, the type of system largely determines how responsive the connection will feel.
Speed realities
Satellite broadband can deliver usable and sometimes fast download speeds, particularly on modern low earth orbit systems, which has transformed its standing as a serious connectivity option. Speeds vary with the system, the number of users sharing capacity, and conditions, so they are not always as consistent as a good fixed line. Nonetheless, for a remote property with no fixed broadband, satellite can provide a connection that supports streaming, browsing and working from home, which would otherwise be impossible. Setting realistic expectations, and choosing a system suited to the household's needs, helps ensure satisfaction with the service.
Installation and the dish
Satellite broadband requires a dish or antenna installed at the property with a clear view of the sky in the relevant direction. Installation involves positioning and aligning the dish, and connecting it to equipment inside the property. For low earth orbit systems, the dish communicates with passing satellites and is designed to be relatively straightforward to set up. A clear line of sight, free from obstructions such as tall trees or buildings, is important for good performance. The practicalities of mounting the dish, and ensuring a clear view, are key considerations when installing satellite broadband.
Planning permission considerations
Installing a satellite dish may have planning considerations, depending on the size of the dish, the property and its location. For many domestic installations, smaller dishes may fall within permitted development, but larger dishes, listed buildings, conservation areas and certain locations can require permission. Checking the planning position before installing, particularly for a listed building or in a protected area, avoids problems. For a rented property, the landlord's permission is also needed for external equipment. Confirming any planning and permission requirements in advance ensures the installation is carried out properly and without later difficulty.
Data limits and cost
Satellite broadband plans vary in their data arrangements and cost. Some plans include generous or unlimited data, while others have data limits or manage heavy use, so checking the data terms is important, particularly for a household that streams or works from home heavily. Satellite can also carry higher costs than fixed broadband, reflecting the technology involved, including equipment and ongoing service. Weighing the cost and data terms against the alternative of having no connection, or only a very poor one, is part of deciding whether satellite is the right choice for a particular rural property.
Performance in bad weather
A common question about satellite broadband is how it performs in bad weather, since the signal travels through the atmosphere. Heavy rain or snow can affect satellite signals, sometimes reducing performance during severe weather, an effect sometimes called rain fade. Modern systems are designed to cope with typical conditions, and the impact varies with the system and the severity of the weather. For most everyday weather, performance is generally reliable, while extreme conditions may cause temporary effects. Understanding this helps set expectations, particularly in areas prone to severe weather, though for many rural properties the benefit of any connection outweighs occasional weather effects.
Is satellite right for you
In summary, satellite broadband reaches almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky, making it a genuine option for remote rural properties without fixed broadband or good mobile coverage. Low earth orbit systems offer much lower latency than older geostationary services, making real-time activities practical, and can deliver usable speeds. Installation involves a dish and possibly planning permission, and plans vary in data and cost. For a property with no other good option, satellite can provide the connectivity that ground-based services cannot, which is its central value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is satellite broadband?
Satellite broadband delivers an internet connection from orbit rather than over a fixed line or local mobile mast. A dish at the property communicates with satellites that relay the connection to the wider internet. Because it does not depend on cables or a nearby mast, it can provide a connection almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky, which suits remote properties.
Does satellite broadband have high latency?
It depends on the system. Geostationary satellites orbit at around 35,786 km, so their signal travels a long way, resulting in high latency in the hundreds of milliseconds, which makes real-time activities difficult. Low earth orbit systems are far closer and reduce latency dramatically, to levels that make video calls and many interactive activities practical.
Do I need planning permission for a satellite dish?
It depends on the dish size, the property and its location. Many smaller domestic dishes may fall within permitted development, but larger dishes, listed buildings, conservation areas and certain locations can require permission. Checking the planning position before installing, and getting the landlord's permission for a rented property, avoids later difficulty.
How fast is satellite broadband?
Satellite can deliver usable and sometimes fast download speeds, particularly on modern low earth orbit systems. Speeds vary with the system, the number of users sharing capacity, and conditions, so they are not always as consistent as a good fixed line. For a remote property with no fixed broadband, it can support streaming, browsing and home working.
Is satellite broadband reliable in bad weather?
Heavy rain or snow can affect satellite signals, sometimes reducing performance during severe weather, an effect called rain fade. Modern systems cope with typical conditions, and the impact varies with the system and the weather. For most everyday weather, performance is generally reliable, while extreme conditions may cause temporary effects.
When is satellite broadband the best option?
Satellite is most valuable where fixed broadband is unavailable and mobile coverage is poor, such as remote rural properties, because it can reach almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky. Where a good fixed connection or strong mobile coverage exists, those are usually preferable, but for properties without them, satellite provides connectivity nothing else can.
