Satellites have transformed communication in remote parts of the world. Truly remote locations, islands, ships and even aircraft are connected from anywhere on the globe running voice, video and data applications.
In the world of cellular communications, satellite has played an important role enabling mobile operators to backhaul traffic providing connectivity where other technologies can't reach. Up to now, the high cost of satellite bandwidth has largely restricted the use of satellite technology to provide backhaul for basic voice service, but recent developments in small cell infrastructure and satellite technology are making 3G and 4G data services over satellite commercially viable.