Satellite internet can actually have better ping over very long distances, compared to fiber. The uplink to Leo in 500km only ads 4ms delay, but the laser link between satellites works at light speed which is 33% faster than the signal speed in fiber cables.
I have to connect to servers in Singapore and central US daily, and while the (theoretical) download speed might be half, the response times would be twice as good.
but the laser link between satellites works at light speed which is 33% faster than the signal speed in fiber cables.
…both are light speed. Speed of light in vacuum vs. speed of light in glass. And so is the radio link because that’s also an electromagnetic wave.
Medium might make some difference, there’s lots of vacuum up there, but I think not having to follow the shape of continents etc. should be the larger factor: The total distance travelled can easily be lower with satellite even if you take the travel up into LEO and down again into account. 1000km aren’t that much, about exactly the distance between Madrid and Paris.
Satellite internet can actually have better ping over very long distances, compared to fiber. The uplink to Leo in 500km only ads 4ms delay, but the laser link between satellites works at light speed which is 33% faster than the signal speed in fiber cables. I have to connect to servers in Singapore and central US daily, and while the (theoretical) download speed might be half, the response times would be twice as good.
…both are light speed. Speed of light in vacuum vs. speed of light in glass. And so is the radio link because that’s also an electromagnetic wave.
Medium might make some difference, there’s lots of vacuum up there, but I think not having to follow the shape of continents etc. should be the larger factor: The total distance travelled can easily be lower with satellite even if you take the travel up into LEO and down again into account. 1000km aren’t that much, about exactly the distance between Madrid and Paris.