Over the years, the technology has evolved and improved a lot. With more and more apps and facilities being released every now and then, the need for faster and better mediums of internet access has become a major problem. Addressing this need, two emerging mediums, Satellite and Fibre internet, have risen to the forefront, each offering unique advantages and disadvantages for consumers worldwide.

Satellite Internet

Satellite internet is a relatively new method of internet access that uses satellites revolving in the earth’s orbit to provide internet on land. Unlike traditional internet which can be accessed directly by our mobiles, satellite internet requires a dish to be installed at the location where the internet has to be accessed. Firstly, ground stations relay the internet to the satellites which then divert the internet to the receiver dishes, which then transmit the received signals to the router and can ultimately be accessed by electronic devices like mobiles and laptops.

Advantages of Satellite internet

• Coverage and Accessibility: Satellite internet can be made available in any corner of the world and even in areas where there is no internet facility or poor signals, for example, oceans and forests. It can also be accessed in rural areas and villages.
• Wireless medium: It is a wireless way of using the internet and hence requires no cables or wires.
• Reliability: Unlike other methods where the internet may disconnect or slow down due to certain issues, satellite internet is much more reliable and faces very less signal outages.

Disadvantages of Satellite internet

• Speed: Satellite internet is comparatively slower than cable internet and has a fixed data cap due to signal latency. As technology is still developing, the internet speed is expected to rise over the recent years.
• Expensive: Satellite internet is expensive and is difficult to set up initially as it requires the use of satellites.

Fibre Internet

Fibre internet is a modern way of transmitting internet through the use of optic fiber cables which relay the internet by the principle of total internal reflection. Light from a laser is incident in the fiber cable at an angle greater than the critical angle, due to which Total Internal Reflection occurs and light is transmitted from one end of the cable to the other end. This allows for a much faster speed of internet as the speed of light is extremely high.

Advantages of Fibre Internet

• Speed: Fibre internet is currently the fastest internet option available to consumers, with speeds that can reach up to 1 gigabit per second. This makes it ideal for online gaming, streaming video, or other bandwidth-intensive applications.
• High Bandwidth: Fibre internet has a much higher bandwidth as there is negligible loss of data in transmission and multiple users can enjoy higher speeds around the same location.
• Secure and Reliable: Fibre internet is secure as it does not emit electromagnetic radiation. It is extremely reliable as it is safe from outside weather conditions and objects, thereby relaying the internet safely.

Disadvantages of Fibre Internet

• Coverage: Fibre internet is difficult to set up in rural areas and can not accessed everywhere. It requires the setting up of poles and fiber optic cables at every single area where the internet is to be accessed and is difficult to install.
• Fragile: Fibre cables are fragile as they are made of glass and may break down if they are not handled properly or are bent too much.
• Cost: Fibre internet is expensive in comparison to DSL networks and increases the cost of using the internet.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both satellite and fiber internet are viable options for customers who require fast and reliable internet. Satellite internet is best suited for those residing in remote areas where wired internet is not available, while fiber internet is ideal for those who require the fastest speeds possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1: What makes satellite internet a suitable choice for remote areas?

Answer:

Satellite internet is ideal for remote areas because it can provide internet access even in regions with no existing internet infrastructure, such as remote villages and forests.

Q.2: Why might fiber internet installation be challenging?

Answer:

Fiber internet installation can be challenging because it requires the deployment of poles and fibre optic cables in each area where it’s accessed, making it less accessible in rural and remote locations.