Low Earth Orbit Satellites: Potential to Address the Broadband Digital Divide

Satellite broadband provided by satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO)—which became commercially available to consumers in recent years—may hold promise for further addressing the digital divide, especially in remote or rural areas. LEO satellites, which are positioned at a much lower altitude than GEO satellites, may be able to offer speeds closer to those that can be achieved with fiber, as well as lower latency (i.e., lag time). Some providers are in the process of developing, testing, and deploying LEO satellites for broadband delivery with the hope that they may provide higher speeds, lower latency, and expanded coverage. As this is an emerging technology, there are some unknowns—for example, whether LEO satellites can consistently provide the anticipated lower latency and higher speeds. Other uncertainties include the level of LEO satellite provider competition, cost, and challenges related to capacity and availability.