What is LEO (Low Earth Orbit)

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Discover how Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites enhance global IoT connectivity, offering low-latency communication for remote and mobile applications beyond traditional networks.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) refers to a category of satellites that orbit the Earth at relatively low altitudes, typically between 160 km and 2,000 km above the Earth’s surface. LEO satellites are a key enabler of global IoT connectivity, providing low-latency, high-performance communication anywhere on the planet.

How do Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites work?

LEO satellites operate much closer to Earth than traditional satellite systems, such as geostationary (GEO) satellites, which orbit at approximately 35,786 km.

Because of this proximity, LEO satellites offer significant performance advantages for connectivity:

Lower latency (reduced signal travel time).
Higher data throughput.
More responsive, near real-time communication.

Unlike GEO satellites, which remain fixed over a single point on Earth, LEO satellites move rapidly in orbit. They operate in large, coordinated constellations, ensuring continuous global coverage by handing off connections between satellites.

In the context of IoT (Internet of Things), LEO satellites extend connectivity to devices located beyond the reach of terrestrial networks such as 4G, 5G and fibre infrastructure

LEO satellite connectivity supports IoT deployments in remote, mobile and infrastructure-limited environments, including:

Maritime and offshore operations.
Logistics and cross-border transport.
Energy, utilities and remote infrastructure.
Agriculture and rural deployments.

These are areas where traditional cellular networks are unavailable, unreliable or too costly to deploy.

LEO satellites play a critical role in enabling reliable, scalable and global IoT deployments. They allow organisations to:

Achieve global device coverage, including hard-to-reach locations.
Maintain real-time visibility of remote and moving assets.
Ensure business continuity beyond terrestrial network limitations.
Reduce latency compared to traditional satellite (GEO) systems.
Build resilient hybrid connectivity strategies combining cellular and satellite.

As IoT deployments scale across regions and borders, LEO provides a flexible alternative to relying solely on local mobile network operators.

LEO satellites operate as part of large constellations, with multiple satellites orbiting the Earth in coordinated patterns. As one satellite moves out of range, another moves into position, ensuring continuous coverage.

For IoT devices, connectivity typically involves:

A compatible satellite modem or module.
A satellite-enabled SIM or eSIM.
A gateway to route traffic between the satellite network and cloud platforms.

Data is transmitted from the IoT device to the satellite, then relayed to a ground station, which connects to the internet or private networks.

Modern LEO networks are designed to integrate with existing cellular infrastructure, enabling seamless switching between terrestrial and satellite connectivity where required.

Connectivity type	Infrastructure	Typical latency	Coverage	Best suited for
LEO satellite	160–2,000 km orbit	Low	Global	Real-time remote IoT, mobile assets
GEO satellite	35,786 km orbit	High	Global	Broadcast, fixed satellite services
Cellular (4G/5G)	Ground-based towers	Very low	Regional / national	Urban & suburban IoT deployments
LPWAN	Local gateways	Very low	Localised	Low-power, short-range use cases

LEO effectively bridges the gap between terrestrial networks and traditional satellite systems — combining global reach with improved performance.

Lower latency

Because LEO satellites orbit closer to Earth, signal travel time is significantly reduced compared to GEO satellites. This enables faster communication and improved application responsiveness.

Global coverage

Constellations provide continuous worldwide coverage, including oceans, deserts, mountains and remote industrial sites.

Mobility support

LEO connectivity supports moving assets such as ships, vehicles and heavy equipment operating across borders or offshore.

Hybrid integration

LEO can be combined with cellular connectivity, allowing devices to use terrestrial networks where available and switch to satellite when coverage drops.

Scalable architecture

Expanding satellite constellations increase capacity and reliability as demand grows.

LEO connectivity is particularly valuable in environments where terrestrial networks cannot guarantee consistent service.

Energy and utilities
Remote monitoring of pipelines, substations, offshore wind farms and renewable energy assets.

Maritime and offshore
Vessel tracking, engine diagnostics and operational data transmission at sea.

Agriculture
Smart farming equipment, environmental sensors and livestock tracking in rural areas.

Logistics and asset tracking
Visibility of high-value assets moving across regions without continuous cellular coverage.

Disaster recovery
Restoring connectivity when ground-based infrastructure is damaged or unavailable.

For many organisations, LEO is not a replacement for cellular connectivity — it is a complementary layer.

Hybrid cellular-satellite solutions allow IoT devices to prioritise terrestrial networks where available and automatically switch to satellite when needed. This approach:

Maximises uptime
Reduces operational risk
Supports mission-critical applications
Enables global deployment with a single connectivity strategy

As satellite technology evolves and constellations expand, LEO is becoming an increasingly viable and scalable option for mainstream IoT deployments.

What is LEO (Low Earth Orbit)?

Discover how Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites enhance global IoT connectivity, offering low-latency communication for remote and mobile applications beyond traditional networks.