Satellite Internet access Satellite Internet access Satellite Internet access is Internet access provided through communications satellites. Modern consumer grade satellite Internet service is typically provided to individual users through geostationary satellites that can offer relatively high data speeds, with newer satellites using to achieve downstream data speeds up to 506 Mbps. Following the launch of the first satellite, Sputnik 1, by the Soviet Union in October 1957, the US successfully launched the Explorer 1 satellite in 1958. The first commercial communications satellite was Telstar 1, built by Bell Labs and launched in July 1962. The idea of a geosynchronous satellite—one that could orbit
British Satellite Broadcasting (230 watts) satellite was dropped, and no winner was precluded from buying a foreign satellite system. The IBA received five serious bids for the Direct Broadcast Satellite franchises. It also received submissions from The Children's Channel and ITN to make sure their programmes were used on any successful bid. British Satellite Broadcasting won the fifteen-year franchise on 11 December 1986 to operate the Direct Broadcast Satellite System, with a licence to operate three channels. BSB forecast 400,000 homes would be equipped during its first year, but some doubts were cast whether this was possible. The Cable Authority welcomed the service,