Satellite Companies Leaning Toward WiFi For Broadband, Study Says

Disappointing growth in the satellite access market has led satellite operators to pursue alternative models of broadband service delivery, according to a study by Orlando, Fla.-based research firm Northern Sky Research. The report, “Satellite-WiFi Convergence: A Developing Model for Broadband Access,” examines the technical and economic viability of offering converged satellite-WiFi services in broadband access and content distribution markets in each region. The report said that by integrating WiFi access technology with a satellite backbone link, satellite service providers can expand the reach of ubiquitous satellite coverage, spread out the cost of the satellite solution, and provision low-cost broadband service to anywhere in the world.