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Difference Between Wireless Broadband and Satellite

Wireless Broadband Introduction

Generally operating at frequency bands less than 6GHz, wireless broadband networks are rapidly becoming the most sought after form of high-speed data access around. Having the freedom to access the Internet from anywhere in your home in addition to out and about your town is a luxury that most people relish. Wireless broadband service allows subscribers to transmit and receive data over the air without requiring any type of physical connection.

Satellite Broadband Introduction

Satellite broadband functions in very much the same manner as wireless broadband in that it consists of a wireless connection to a broadband network. Satellite broadband is used when options such as cable or DSL broadband are unavailable due to a lack of networking capabilities. An example would be seeking an Internet connection whilst in a remote locale through which you cannot get any type of carrier signal. Due to the fact that satellite technology can be delivered to virtually any given point on earth, all that it requires is that the user have a clear line of sight through which to receive the satellite broadband signal. This clear line of sight is incredibly important when you consider that the satellite broadband signal is being generated from its orbit somewhere beyond the earth's atmosphere. (Roughly 22,300 miles above the earth’s surface) In this way, satellite broadband receives signals in the exact same manner as satellite telephones. Satellite telephones are similarly designed for usage in areas in which there is no standard telephone or cellular signal available.

Although the cost is not necessarily outrageous, the issue of having a clear line of sight makes it a less appealing option when something like wireless broadband or standard cable or DSL service is available at a cheaper rate. It is an excellent option, however, for mobile businesses that sometimes operate out of the most remote locations in the world or if there is no other high speed alternative in the area.

Wireless Broadband versus Satellite Broadband

The main difference between satellite broadband service and wireless broadband service is infrastructure. Although wireless broadband allows for the reception and transmission of data without any physical connection to your PC, a wireless broadband service does require a transmitter through which the wireless signal can be provided. As it is, more often than not, this transmitter acts very much like a standard cable or DSL modem in that it is connected to a ‘backbone’ network. There are wireless broadband connections that act in a similar manner to cellular technology in that they have a network of towers through which a signal is transmitted across a wide area. Transmitters can then receive this signal directly without any type of infrastructure in the same manner as cellular technology. This type of wireless connection is commonly referred to as Wi-Fi and is considered by most to be the future of broadband connectivity. It can also be said that Wi-Fi has the most in common with satellite broadband functionality.