It is not so much competing technology as it is just an alternative for those who live in areas inaccessible by cable or DSL (digital subscriber line) services. At present, satellite internet access is somewhat more expensive than these but provides greater bandwidth availability than dialup and cable access.
One drawback of satellite access is that it uses ‘line of sight’ communications, and transmissions may be blocked by heavy precipitation (signal degradation due or rain fade) and occasional solar interferences. A variation of this is called fixed wireless and uses cell towers. This variation is susceptible to more line of sight problems but has less latency. Satellite technology and competition marches on and with the increased growth and use of the internet, satellite service is growing and improving in popularity, practicality, and decreasing in price.
Satellite internet technology has provided internet access to millions from fixed-position (geostationary) located approximately 22,300 miles above the earth by transmitting digital signals to subscriber antennas and receivers. There are two forms of satellite internet access – one-way and two-way. One-way transmissions from the satellite to your antenna do not permit transmission of data upstream in the same manner and demands that you transmit data via a dialup connection. This basically means that only the downstream data is being received from a satellite. Two-way satellite internet connections allows for both downstream and upstream transmissions. Two-way transmissions are the most commonly used types of satellite connectivity. Basically, the satellite receiver that is connected to your computer forwards digital signals to the out-door satellite antenna which then transmits signals to the satellite or transponder. The satellite then receives and decodes transmissions and forwards them to their NOC or network operations center on earth where the data request is transmitted again to the internet by land-based infrastructures. Data transmissions from the internet are then routed using the same process in reverse with their final destination being your computer. It must be noted that there may be a half-second time delay and this may or may not present a concern. Two-way satellite connectivity enables 24-hour access making it quite reliable. An always on connection makes connectivity more convenient and dependable than other connections. If your location makes it impossible to use DSL or cable, satellite internet service may just be the option to provide you the computer freedom you require.
Check out the offers and options of satellite internet providers and select the one that best fits your individual needs and circumstances.