What Is VSAT

VSAT stands for Very Small Aperture Terminal. As many of you know, I am passionate about non-internet communication technologies and have advocated for a ‘third network’—a backup system we can rely on if the Internet goes down. VSAT is one such technology. Despite being used by one of the world’s largest retail chains, Walmart, it remains relatively unknown.

Here is what we know.

A VSAT is a small satellite ground station equipped with a dish antenna, similar to a TV satellite, that communicates with satellites in geosynchronous or geostationary orbit to connect with other terminals in the network. It can transmit data at speeds up to 16 Mbit/s, making it suitable for data transfer, though not as fast as modern internet speeds. VSAT technology is commonly used in gas stations and retail stores to transmit point-of-sale data, video, and occasionally internet connectivity.

According to Hughes, Walmart, “chose this new satellite technology to connect its disparate locations with integrated voice, data and video communications based on the promise of uniform quality and cost-effectiveness compared to terrestrial links. While elated at winning such a significant contract, the team never imagined that their invention would ignite what is now a multi-billion-dollar global satellite networks business.”

It enabled Walmart to better manage store inventory and track items returned at different locations before resale. Today, the largest VSAT network is used by lotteries around the world. Interestingly, in addition to POS readers and credit card transactions, they are also used in movie distribution to theaters and satellite internet.

Unfortunately, I was unable to find much information about this technology, which highlights one of the challenges facing the Internet. Key technologies have become lost to man. Also, this is one of the reasons why the Internet has become so dominant. The lack of competition is unfortunate. God bless and Tech Talk To You Later!!!