ICYMI: A Deep Dive on Broadband Trends with Mike Dano of Ookla

a satellite in low earth orbit

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During our April edition of Little Nuggets of Tech and Telecom, Mike Dano, lead industry analyst at Ookla, shared some newly released data points related to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite penetration outside rural areas, the closing of the digital divide, and the unique role terrestrial mobile networks will continue to play in the rapidly evolving connectivity landscape. 

Key Takeaways: 

  • Amazon’s Globalstar deal positions its LEO satellite initiative as a direct competitor to Starlink adding direct-to-device (D2D) mobile capabilities alongside fixed broadband.
  • Satellite providers are unlikely to replace traditional Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), particularly due to limitations in indoor coverage and urban performance.
  • Both Starlink and Amazon are focused on scaling globally: positioning themselves as potential market disrupters around the world.
  • Starlink’s fixed broadband offering is gaining traction in both rural and urban markets, driven by improving performance and declining prices.
  • The broadband market is a full-scale competitive battleground with fiber, fixed wireless, satellite, and cable all competing simultaneously.
  • A significant fiber “land grab” is underway with major acquisitions and overbuilding even in smaller markets.
  • The digital divide continues to narrow with more rural households achieving broadband speeds that meet FCC thresholds.
  • The industry is watching for a potential “iPhone moment” for AI or new devices (e.g., smart glasses) that could rapidly and dramatically impact network capacity.
  • Wireless carriers are actively preparing for future demand, with early signs of rising upload traffic and shifting usage patterns.

You can watch or listen to the entire conversation on our YouTube channel.