Could Low Earth Orbit Satellites be the answer to growing data demands?

Today, in the business world and beyond, it’s all about data. It’s our source of entertainment, the key to important business information, and even the way we communicate with our loved ones. As more and more data is shared across the globe, latency and low bandwidths threaten the ease with which we can stay connected. Luckily, an answer may emerge in the form of satellites. 

Growing data demands

According to Statista, the amount of data consumed, created and stored worldwide is projected to increase by 25% each year, moving from 64 Zettabytes (ZB) in 2020 to 120 ZB in 2023. Examining the below graph reveals that data usage is essentially doubling every 3 years.

Whilst the move to digital and ‘Big Data’ seems to have many positives for economies, societies and people, the reality is that this exponential growth of data needs must be supported by public networks, data centres and infrastructure. After all, slow network performance due to slow data can significantly impact business productivity. Time is money, and when you’re left waiting for file attachments to come through, emails to send, or video calls to connect, that can be a lot of profit potential down the drain.

Luckily, there are many trends and technological advancements currently underway that are likely to both challenge the current status quo, and support the relentless demands for data worldwide.

Using satellite services to move your data

Elon Musk, satellites, LEO (Low Earth Orbit) – I’m sure some of this is sounding familiar.

For those in the know, these terms have reinvigorated conversations around satellite as a legitimate consumer and small-business grade service for both voice and high-speed data. Experts are optimistic that this could be the answer to the growing data demands worldwide.

In the Australian context, the use of satellites has been historically restrictive, both functionally and from a cost perspective. This is due to the prevalence of carriers supplying GEO Sat (or Geostationary Equatorial Orbit).

What does this mean we hear you ask? Great question – basically, when using GEO satellites to transport data, the signal has to bounce 35,786Km from your device to a geostationary satellite, the equivalent of almost a full trip around the globe!

Now imagine the travel time from a user perspective as that signal reaches a GEO satellite and bounces back. In tech speak, this is what we call latency, and it is not the friend of user experience. It can delay texts and chats, cause low-quality video connections, prevent page loads, and sometimes halt other important functions, ultimately impacting your bottom line.

 How Low Earth Orbit satellites can fulfil customer data needs

This is why LEO is such a game changer. Low Earth Orbit satellites are only 160 – 2000km in altitude, a staggering 5% of the distance GEO satellites we have been using. Thinking about this in the context of latency, you can start to understand the potential significance of this development.

There are also higher numbers of LEO satellites, which come together to form a spaced-based mesh that strengthens its capabilities. This means that latency is lower, and the potential for higher bandwidths is increased.

But why should this matter to you? Well, LEO satellite services can deliver this high bandwidth and low(ish) latency to even the most remote locations, increasing the opportunities available to businesses across Australia. This means that the use of fast-developing technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) can be leveraged outside of urban enterprises and other large corporations with endless resources. This allows smaller, local businesses to maintain a competitive edge and keep up with the evolving market.

Currently, LEO satellites only cover portions of Australia, mainly due to the fact we are getting un-intended benefits from the mesh built by Starlink to service North America. However, in the future, the network will be built out by Starlink Australia and a range of other players.

Telstra and OneWeb have a 10 year partnership agreement to look at adding to their 648 satellite constellation so that it covers the whole of Australia. Telstra will be building the ground stations locally and providing backhaul, which is a hugely important factor in the speed, latency and success of LEO as a technology. All of this could be the key to unlocking unlimited satellite internet in Australia.

Talk to TBTC Perth South

So, there you have it. The answer to your business’s growing demand for fast-moving data will likely come in the form of an LEO satellite. In the meantime, if you want to learn more about new technologies, satellites, and more reach out to us today. We can also find solutions to help boost your business capabilities and bring benefits to your bottom line. Get in touch at 1300 4 BUSINESS or info@tbtcperthsouth.com.au.