Will Satellites Replace Cell Towers?

Satellites offer the exciting new prospect of covering remote areas – such as mountaintops and oceans - with cellular coverage. With multiple companies launching thousands of satellites—and launching trillion-dollar IPOs—the sci-fi prospect of direct satellite-to-phone links has come into the spotlight. But can satellites handle the traffic in more populated areas? Can they support smartphones that are indoors or in vehicles? This white paper sponsored by the Wireless Industry Association provides a reality check based on physics, and some insight into the economic issues in play.