From Outer Space to Your Router: Satellite Internet Explained

While it's not the fastest, satellite internet is the only internet connection type available in all 50 states, making it a top contender for rural households with limited internet options. Despite the popularity of Starlinkand the growing power of its 7,000 satellites, satellite internet is commonly viewed as a last resort for home internet. So what makes satellite internet so great? What should you be mindful about before signing up? Let's take a closer look at how satellite internet works -- and what to expect from the top competitors in the industry. Read more: The best internet providers for 2025: Cable vs. fiber vs. satellite and more Locating local internet providers How does satellite internet work? With satellite internet, you'll need to mount a dish like this one outside your home to receive the internet signal from orbit. Starlink Like satellite TV, satellite dishes receive radio waves transmitted from satellites in geostationary, low- or high-Earth orbit. The radio fr ... Read full article.