Which of the following describes satellite broadband?
A. It requires a dish installed outside the building.
B. It connects with coaxial cable.
C. Speed drops as the distance from the main signal source increases.
D. It uses strands of pure glass or plastic.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. It requires a dish installed outside the building.
Explanation:
Satellite broadband is a type of internet connection that utilizes satellite technology to provide high-speed internet access to users. The primary distinguishing feature of satellite broadband is its reliance on satellites orbiting the Earth to transmit data to and from the internet. This method of data transmission has several key components and implications.
- Dish Installation: One of the most recognizable aspects of satellite broadband is the need for a satellite dish. This dish is typically installed outside a building, often mounted on a roof or on a pole, to ensure an unobstructed line of sight to the satellite in orbit. The dish is crucial as it both sends data from the user’s location to the satellite and receives data back from the satellite, allowing for two-way communication.
- Coaxial Cable: While satellite broadband does often utilize coaxial cables to connect the dish to the modem inside the building, this characteristic is not unique to satellite broadband; other forms of internet connections, such as cable broadband, also use coaxial cables. Therefore, option B does not specifically define satellite broadband.
- Distance from Signal Source: Option C suggests that speed drops as the distance from the main signal source increases. This is more applicable to traditional wired connections, such as DSL or cable broadband, where signal degradation occurs over longer distances. In satellite broadband, the connection speed is primarily affected by latency due to the long distance to the satellite, not the distance from a ground-based signal source.
- Glass or Plastic Strands: Option D refers to fiber-optic technology, which uses strands of glass or plastic to transmit data at high speeds over long distances. Satellite broadband does not use fiber-optic technology; instead, it relies on radio signals sent to and from satellites.
In summary, satellite broadband’s unique requirement for a dish installed outside the building makes option A the correct choice, differentiating it from other internet connection types.