Up In The Air

With Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and mobile backhaul, Internet telephony and two-way communication over computer networks are possible even in rural regions.

The Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and mobile backhaul make Internet telephony and two-way communication over computer networks possible even in rural regions. Although VoIP products from satellite Internet providers have some downsides like latency, satellite VoIP is becoming an indispensable communication tool.

Satellite broadband is similar to cellular broadband as it relies on wireless technology to send and transmit signals. Although slower than other broadband technologies, satellite connections can offer high-speed Internet connection. Video and audio streaming are possible through satellite broadband, that’s why Internet telephony is offered by many satellite ISPs.

Satellite VoIP and mobile backhaul are perhaps the biggest innovation in telecommunications in the 21st century. Old telecommunication systems ran on dedicated lines in which two parties establish an exclusive circuit at the start of communication session. The circuit is inaccessible as long as the communication continues. With the advent of circuit-switching, telephone systems became more scalable, but the need for dedicated lines posed limits on system capacity.

Digital computers further increased the capacity of telecommunications infrastructures. Like digital data, audio can be sent as data packets. Since audio should be transmitted faster, the VoIP family of standards were developed so that Internet audio can interact with out-of-order transmission standard, thus resembling packet switched networks.

Satellite gives Internet access to remote areas underserved by traditional ISPs. Most communications satellites hover over a fixed point relative to Earth, otherwise known as geostationary orbit, with a minimum altitude of nearly 22,300 miles above Earth.

Even though latency is less than a second, it can make VoIP audio call incomprehensible, making most Internet telephony software a hit-or-miss proposition.

Signals have to travel 45,000 miles from Earth to satellite, and from satellite back to Earth. This causes latency or delay in signal transmission, about quarter- to half-second at least. While the signals are in transit, Internet switching computers are routing other signals so that satellite Internet packets can easily lose their place in line.

Satellite VoIP providers have developed switching infrastructures and transmission protocols to address voice quality issues. Moreover, satellites are becoming more powerful and cost-efficient due to recent innovations.

Mobile Backhaul and satellite VoIP remain the only mobile communications solution in remote areas not served by cellular broadband. Companies that need uninterrupted Internet connection will also find satellite broadband to be the best data recovery and backup solution. Mining companies, ships, airlines, financial institutions and broadcasting firms can get uninterrupted communications with satellite VoIP. Voice-over satellite is also ideal for rescue agencies, intelligence units and military operations that require wireless communication anytime, anywhere.