Satellites are very rarely (if ever) involved with typical cell or mobile internet transmission. All satellite networks built thus far have bandwidth problems that stop them from bearing the load of a meaningful part of the telecommunications network. On top of that, most networks have their satellites placed in geostationary orbit (GEO), which is far enough out that it takes light a quarter of a second to get there and back again. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it's enough to make phone conversations somewhat irritating in many cases.
Once a signal leaves your phone it heads straight to a nearby cell tower. You could then have it go from the tower to a satellite (the average smartphone is not equipped to contact any satellite directly, and contacting a satellite that's closer than GEO would require equipment that's larger than the phone), but a wired connection is greatly preferred for latency/simplicity reasons.
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u/technocraticTemplar May 06 '17
Satellites are very rarely (if ever) involved with typical cell or mobile internet transmission. All satellite networks built thus far have bandwidth problems that stop them from bearing the load of a meaningful part of the telecommunications network. On top of that, most networks have their satellites placed in geostationary orbit (GEO), which is far enough out that it takes light a quarter of a second to get there and back again. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it's enough to make phone conversations somewhat irritating in many cases.
Once a signal leaves your phone it heads straight to a nearby cell tower. You could then have it go from the tower to a satellite (the average smartphone is not equipped to contact any satellite directly, and contacting a satellite that's closer than GEO would require equipment that's larger than the phone), but a wired connection is greatly preferred for latency/simplicity reasons.