Why Fiber is Better than LEO Satellite Internet

As high-speed Internet becomes essential in nearly everyone’s daily life, new technologies are emerging to bring connectivity to even the most remote areas. One of the solutions you may have heard about recently is LEO satellite Internet.

LEO stands for Low Earth Orbit, and these satellites orbit much closer to the Earth — around 300 to 1,200 miles above — than traditional satellites. While LEO allows for faster response times than older satellite systems, fiber Internet is still the clear choice for residents of rural or underserved areas where it’s available, such as in the Granite State Communications service area.

Fiber Internet offers these important advantages:

• Much Faster Speeds – Fiber-optic Internet uses glass strands to transmit data as light, allowing for incredibly fast upload and download speeds — often reaching up to 1 Gbps or more. LEO satellite speeds are improving but still generally fall far short of the top speeds fiber can offer, especially during peak usage times.
• Better Reliability – Fiber is grounded and less prone to interference from weather or environmental factors. LEO satellites, on the other hand, can experience outages due to storms, satellite handoffs, or obstructions like trees and buildings. This makes fiber a more consistent option for homes and businesses that need always-on connectivity.
• Lower Latency – Latency is the delay between sending a request (like clicking a link) and getting a response. Fiber Internet has very low latency, making it great for online gaming, video calls, and real-time work. LEO satellites involve sending data into space and back, which means more delay that can cause lag in games or choppy video calls.
• No Data Limits – Most fiber Internet plans come with unlimited data, giving users the freedom to stream, game, work, and download without worrying about caps. Many LEO satellite services, however, impose “soft” data caps or speed throttling after a certain usage threshold is met.

To discuss which of our fiber Internet plans would work best for your household, call 603-529-9911!