NTCA: Satellite Internet Not a Substitute for Wireline

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2024 – A rural broadband association is urging the Federal Communications Commission to maintain its established position that satellite internet is not a substitute for wireline broadband.

NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association said that satellite broadband coverage is complementary to wireline internet service, rather than a replacement for it. 

“In consumer theory, a substitute service is one that can be used in place of another with little or no noticeable difference. Yet when comparing satellite to other 'at-home' services, numerous differences manifest, including price, reliability, and security,” NTCA Vice President of Policy and Industry Innovation Joshua Seidemann said. “Satellite services typically include data restrictions. Spectrum-based services are also susceptible to interference from weather, disruptions to 'line of sight' propagation, atmospheric conditions, and other factors that can disrupt signals.”