Cellular vs. Satellite Communications:
What‘s The Difference?

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Cellular communications technologies send and receive data through land-based towers. Each tower forms a “cell” which is the area covered by its transmitters. A group of towers is referred to as a “cellular network.” As your machine works, it sends data through the closest tower in the network.

Satellite communications technologies transmit data through satellites orbiting the Earth. Machine data flows directly to the orbiting satellite which sends a signal to the nearest land-based station which communicates to the receiving device.

WHICH OFFERS BETTER COVERAGE?

Satellite systems offer broader coverage than cell networks. Each cell tower has a relatively short range, so it takes many towers to create a big network. But constructing a large number of towers can be costly and difficult—even impossible in remote areas. In contrast, satellite beams cover vast areas and no towers are required, so coverage extends to the hardest-to-reach locations.

WHICH COSTS MORE?

The cost of renting or buying space on a satellite is higher than the cost of using a cellular network. That’s because satellites are more expensive to build, place in orbit and maintain. Satellite costs are trending down though, making this option more affordable than it was in the past.

CAN I USE BOTH?

In some circumstances, it’s possible for a machine to communicate through both a cellular network and a satellite system. However, it must be equipped with what’s known as a “dual-mode” tracking and monitoring technology, which, as the name implies, enables communication through both types of channels.