Expanding Internet Access with Low Earth Orbit Satellites

Abstract

Broadband internet remains unreachable for roughly one third of the world population, particularly in rural, remote, and underserved regions. Moving platforms and emergency set-tings also lack reliable connectivity. Fiber and cellular networks excel in dense areas but face economic, geographic, and logistical barriers in hard-to-reach locations. Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellite internet suffers from high latency and limited throughput.

This thesis evaluates whether Low Earth Orbit (LEO) systems can close these gaps, us-ing Starlink as primary case. It provides a technical overview of LEO signal propagation and system design, summarizes Starlink’s deployment and architecture, and reviews published performance measurements across regions and in mobility. Selected media reports illustrate critical real-world applications. The discussion highlights LEO constellation limitations and broader impacts.

Evidence shows performance varies by context, yet Starlink generally sustains internet access for many applications. Significant challenges remain, including capacity and cover-age limitations, sensitivity to weather and obstructions, environmental and orbital risks, and interference with astronomy. These constraints must be addressed for sustainable, wide-spread expansion.