4G Vs Satellite Broadband
4G and satellite internet both offer a potential solution for rural broadband issues. If you can’t access decent broadband via traditional methods, you might be considering switching to one of these alternatives. But which is better and why?
What is satellite broadband?
First let’s clarify what we are talking about.
Satellite broadband is connectivity provided through low-earth orbit or geostationary satellites. It requires a satellite dish to be placed on top of your home or business which sends and receives signals from the orbiting satellite. The principle is the same as watching TV from a service such as Sky, but instead of just receiving information, satellite broadband allows you to send it too.
A satellite internet connection can be provided virtually all over the world but is generally considered a last resort option, due to it being unreliable and slow.
What is 4G broadband?
4G LTE internet is completely different to satellite internet connections.
4G broadband solutions use the same signal as your smartphone to access the internet. One way of doing this is through a dedicated 4G router which can handle multiple devices and traffic levels. Availability of 4G broadband is dependent on your location and how strong the 4G coverage is in your area.
Interested in the difference between broadband and WiFi? Find out here. This will explain why we are talking about 4G broadband vs satellite and not WiFi vs satellite.
How do they compare?
Before we dive into the details, here’s an overview of which option has the edge on the most important factors.
As you can see, 4G edges out satellite broadband for every factor except availability.
Speed & Latency
4G solutions are capable of much higher speeds compared to satellite internet services. Even more importantly, 4G broadband has significantly better latency at around 15-30ms compared to Satellite which is much slower averaging around 600ms. That’s a HUGE difference!
As a result, the user experience on 4G is far superior compared to a satellite connection as there are fewer noticeable lags when doing more heavy-duty activities such as online gaming or streaming. If you’re wondering ‘Is satellite internet good for gaming?’ the answer is definitely a resounding no! You would likely experience lots of lag which would highly disrupt your experience of playing online games.
Reliability
4G broadband is also the more stable and reliable option out of the two. Although neither rely on physical cabling, with 4G broadband you are connected to a mast which is relatively nearby as opposed to being connected to a satellite that is thousands of miles away. Therefore, factors such as the weather are far more likely to impact a satellite service than a 4G connection.
Availability
If you’re thinking ‘which carrier has the best 4G coverage in my area?’, simply click here to find a coverage checker. You can find out what mobile coverage is like from mobile networks such as EE, Vodafone and O2 just by searching for your postcode. You can also check the network status near you to see if there are any signal issues in the area.
Satellite broadband’s only win comes on availability. This is because it is an option for virtually any household, whilst 4G broadband is reliant on access to a 4G signal. However, 4G technology, such as SimRush, can pick up 4G signal even in areas where your mobile phone cannot. So, even if you’ve got poor signal in your area, 4G could still be a viable option for you!
4G Vs Satellite: The Final Verdict
Both alternative solutions are ideal options for rural areas. But when it comes down to which is going to provide a better service and higher internet speed – it has to be 4G broadband!
If you’re struggling to get decent internet where you are give us a call and find out what our 4G broadband solution can do for you.
Based in rural Wales? Find out how you can get 4G broadband funded through the ABC scheme.
