• LEOs, GEOs and MEOs: Learn the Pros and Cons of Each

    Technology in the connectivity space is evolving at a rapid pace, and it can be hard to keep up. Different satellite technologies like LEOs, GEOs and MEOs, for example, are better used in certain circumstances than others. Let’s explore the satellite options below.

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  • Satellite terminology explained

    • 1 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites

      LEO satellites orbit the Earth at a height of 180–2,000km. They are a relatively new technology in satellite space, significantly lower than geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites. LEO satellites are deployed in “constellations” that work together to provide coverage for larger areas. An example of this type of satellite technology is SpaceX Starlink. People often observe the ‘train’ of SpaceX Starlink’s LEO satellites in the night sky.

      Because of their lower altitude, LEO satellites take less time for a signal to travel from a device (such as a computer) to the satellite and back (known as latency), allowing for faster data transmission. This makes them ideal for very high-speed, low-latency communications such as gaming. Because of their orbiting height, LEO satellites work differently than geostationary satellites.

      The lower altitude is also why they are deployed as ‘constellations’ rather than individual satellites, as it ensures greater coverage in a moving space.

    • 2 Geostationary Earth Orbit/Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO) satellites

      GEO satellites orbit around 36,000 kilometres from Earth. Due to their height, a single satellite can cover huge areas. nbn® uses GEO satellite technology.

      Because they are at a higher orbitory level and travel at the same velocity as and on a parallel path to the Earth, GEOs appear stationary, and fewer satellites are required in the same area to cover a large specific area.

      GEOs are unsuitable for gaming because they have higher latency because they are so far from the Earth. GEO technology has been around for a long time and is continually being improved. When accessed through nbn®, there are no equipment or setup costs.

    • 3 Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites

      MEOs travel in the zone between LEOs and GEOs, usually between 5000 km and 20,000 km. While not as commonly used in communications as GEOs and LEOs, this type of satellite is still critical, particularly in using GPS (Global Positioning System), used in anything from the app that tracks your run on your phone to mapping and plane routes.

      They have lower latency than GEOs because of their lower altitude. However, LEOs have lower latency again as they travel even closer to the Earth. An example of MEO satellite usage is Globalstar, which operates a network of MEO satellites primarily for satellite phone and mobile data services.

  • Compare your options

      LEO Satellites GEO Satellites MEO Satellites
    Altitude 160-2,000 kilometres 35,786 kilometres 2,000-35,786 kilometres
    Round-trip latency Low (around 20-50 ms) High (around 500 ms) Moderate (around 100-150 ms)
    Coverage Regional coverage with constellation Regional coverage (spot beam) Regional coverage
    Constellation Size (number of satellites clustered together) Large (hundreds to thousands) Small (typically fewer than 10) Moderate (tens to hundreds)
    Deployment Cost High Moderate to high Moderate to high
    Data Transfer Rates High High High
    Reliability Dependent on constellation management Generally reliable Generally reliable
    Better for phone or internet Suitable for both Suitable primarily for internet Suitable for both
    Advantages
    • Low latency
    • High data transfer rates
    • Less susceptibility to atmospheric interference
    • Wide coverage
    • Stable signal strength
    • Fewer satellites required
    • Balanced latency and coverage
    • Relatively lower deployment cost
    • Improved latency compared to GEO
    Disadvantages
    • High deployment cost
    • Need for large constellation for continuous coverage
    • Potential for signal interference
    • High latency
    • Limited coverage area
    • Signal degradation at higher latitudes
    • Higher latency than LEO
    • Less global coverage than LEO
    • Higher deployment cost than LEO
    LEO Satellites
    Altitude
    160-2,000 kilometres
    Round-trip latency
    Low (around 20-50 ms)
    Coverage
    Regional coverage with constellation
    Constellation Size (number of satellites clustered together)
    Large (hundreds to thousands)
    Deployment Cost
    High
    Data Transfer Rates
    High
    Reliability
    Dependent on constellation management
    Better for phone or internet
    Suitable for both
    Advantages

    • Low latency
    • High data transfer rates
    • Less susceptibility to atmospheric interference
    Disadvantages

    • High deployment cost
    • Need for large constellation for continuous coverage
    • Potential for signal interference
    GEO Satellites
    Altitude
    35,786 kilometres
    Round-trip latency
    High (around 500 ms)
    Coverage
    Regional coverage (spot beam)
    Constellation Size (number of satellites clustered together)
    Small (typically fewer than 10)
    Deployment Cost
    Moderate to high
    Data Transfer Rates
    High
    Reliability
    Generally reliable
    Better for phone or internet
    Suitable primarily for internet
    Advantages

    • Wide coverage
    • Stable signal strength
    • Fewer satellites required
    Disadvantages

    • High latency
    • Limited coverage area
    • Signal degradation at higher latitudes
    MEO Satellites
    Altitude
    2,000-35,786 kilometres
    Round-trip latency
    Moderate (around 100-150 ms)
    Coverage
    Regional coverage
    Constellation Size (number of satellites clustered together)
    Moderate (tens to hundreds)
    Deployment Cost
    Moderate to high
    Data Transfer Rates
    High
    Reliability
    Generally reliable
    Better for phone or internet
    Suitable for both
    Advantages

    • Balanced latency and coverage
    • Relatively lower deployment cost
    • Improved latency compared to GEO
    Disadvantages

    • Higher latency than LEO
    • Less global coverage than LEO
    • Higher deployment cost than LEO

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