Satellite Internet Dictionary
Satellite internet comes with its own vocabulary. This plain-English guide explains common Starlink, installation, and home-network terms so you can ask better questions and choose a setup that fits your property.
Satellites and Internet Service
Satellite internet
Internet service that uses a connection between equipment at your property and satellites in space. The satellite network then connects your traffic to the wider internet.
Starlink
A satellite internet service that uses a network of satellites in low Earth orbit. Starlink service and its associated plans are provided by Starlink; installation assistance may be offered separately by an installer.
Low Earth orbit (LEO)
An orbit much closer to Earth than the orbit used by traditional geostationary satellite internet systems. Starlink satellites move across the sky, and the network manages connections as different satellites come into view.
Geostationary orbit (GEO)
An orbit high above the equator where a satellite appears to remain in roughly the same position in the sky. The longer signal path generally contributes to more delay than a low Earth orbit connection.
Constellation
A group of satellites that work together as a network. Starlink uses a constellation rather than relying on one satellite over a customer’s location.
Gateway or ground station
Ground-based infrastructure that helps connect a satellite network to the wider internet. The route your data takes through a satellite network can vary.
Inter-satellite link
A connection that allows data to pass between satellites. In Starlink’s network, optical links can carry traffic between spacecraft.
Speed and Connection Quality
Download speed
How quickly your connection receives data, such as a webpage, video, or software update. It is commonly measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
Upload speed
How quickly your connection sends data. Upload speed matters for video meetings, sending large files, and some security camera systems.
Latency
The time it takes for data to travel from your device to a destination and back, usually measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower latency can make video calls, gaming, and other interactive tasks feel more responsive.
Bandwidth
The capacity available to carry data over a connection. People often use “bandwidth” when discussing how many devices or activities a connection can support at once.
Outage
A period when the internet connection is unavailable. Causes can include a service issue, loss of electrical power, equipment trouble, or an interrupted satellite connection.
Obstruction
An object, such as a tree, roofline, or pole, that blocks part of the antenna’s required view of the sky. Obstructions can cause interruptions as satellites move overhead.
Obstruction map
A view in the Starlink app that helps show where objects may interfere with the satellite connection. It can help identify whether a different mounting location is worth considering.
Equipment and Installation
Antenna or “dish”
The outdoor equipment that communicates with satellites. People often call it a dish, although Starlink antennas do not necessarily resemble traditional round satellite TV dishes.
Mount
Hardware used to secure an antenna to a suitable location, such as a roof, wall, or pole. The location should account for sky view, structural support, cable routing, and future access.
Site survey
An assessment of a property before installation. It may include the sky view, mounting options, cable path, power, indoor router location, and where internet coverage is needed.
Cable run
The route a cable takes between outdoor equipment and equipment inside the building. A practical route helps protect the cable and places the indoor equipment where it can be useful.
Router
A device that connects your home or business devices to the internet connection. A router may also create the Wi‑Fi network used by phones, laptops, and televisions.
Wi‑Fi
The wireless network that connects devices within your property. Wi‑Fi coverage inside a building is different from the satellite connection outside: one can work well while the other needs attention.
Mesh Wi‑Fi
A system with multiple compatible Wi‑Fi units intended to improve coverage across a building. Results depend on unit placement and how the units connect to one another.
Point-to-point wireless bridge
Equipment that creates a network connection between two locations, such as a house and a detached workshop. It can be useful when Wi‑Fi from the main building does not reach reliably.
Backup power
A battery or generator arrangement designed to keep equipment running during a power outage. Satellite internet equipment needs electricity, so continued service depends on suitable backup power and the network remaining available.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
Telephone service that carries calls over an internet connection. VoIP service comes from a separate provider and typically depends on both working internet and electrical power.
International Satellite & Antenna Service (ISAS) can help evaluate mounting locations, cable routes, and connectivity needs for a home, business, or rural property. Contact us to discuss your location and available installation options.