Introduction to satellite communications
With a global population of around 8 billion, the intersection of 5G and satellite communication has huge potential to extend the reach of the internet for all. See Figure 16.1 for related statistics. As many as 1 million new smartphones per day get introduced to users globally.
Figure 16.1 – Global mobile phone and internet use
The increasing connectivity of consumers also leads to the greater use of social media as well as mobile commerce. About 60% of users in the age group 16 to 64 with internet access make online purchases weekly. The amount of mobile purchases is increasing. In 2021, online purchases of consumer goods exceeded $3.8 trillion in the US.
The United Nations (UN) has a goal of connecting 90% of the global population to the internet by 2050 (https://transhumanica.com/asts). Such efforts could be accelerated by making all or the majority of smartphones satellite phones. This could help...
