What are the disadvantages of satellite communication?

(1) The transmission delay is significant in geosynchronous satellite communication systems. Since the distance between a ground station and a geostationary satellite can be as much as 40,000 kilometers, and radio waves travel at the speed of light (3 × 10⁸ meters per second), the signal takes about 0.27 seconds to travel one way. This round-trip delay can cause noticeable lag during real-time communications like voice calls or video conferencing.

(2) Echo effects are common in satellite communications due to the long propagation delay. When a person speaks into a satellite phone, their voice may return after about 0.54 seconds, creating an echo. To reduce this interference, modern satellite communication systems often include echo cancellation technology that helps improve call quality and user experience.

(3) There are communication dead zones, especially near the Earth's poles. Geosynchronous satellites remain fixed over the equator, so they cannot provide coverage to polar regions. As a result, areas near the North and South Poles are not accessible via traditional geostationary satellite links, requiring alternative solutions such as low-Earth-orbit satellites or ground-based infrastructure.

(4) Satellite communications can suffer from daily interruptions, signal degradation due to solar interference (known as "sun outage"), and rain attenuation. These factors can disrupt signals, especially during heavy rainfall or when the sun aligns with the satellite and the receiving antenna. Engineers continuously work to minimize these issues through advanced signal processing and system design.