LEO Satellite vs. Fixed Wireless: Choosing the Right Connectivity Model for Your Business

When businesses compare LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite and fixed wireless internet, the focus often lands on speed or availability. What matters more in practice is what happens when something goes wrong.

If your internet connection drops, payments can stop, cloud tools become inaccessible, and customers feel the impact immediately. The real question for your business is not which technology sounds more advanced, but who is responsible for keeping your site online day in and day out.

As Canadian businesses look to improve resilience, support secondary locations, or add backup connectivity, LEO satellite has become a popular topic alongside fixed wireless. Both can work, but they operate very differently, and those differences affect your time, your team, and your risk.

For most business locations, fixed wireless offers a simpler, more predictable model. LEO satellite still has a place, but it should be used deliberately rather than as a default choice.

Fixed wireless designed for everyday business use

Fixed wireless internet is purpose‑built to support regular business operations without adding complexity. Most fixed wireless service provides:

  • Unlimited data with no concerns about caps or overages
  • Predictable monthly pricing that is often lower than satellite alternatives
  • Carrier‑diverse access that does not rely on local fibre routes
  • Consistent performance supported by service level agreements
  • Managed installation, monitoring, and support
  • Easy integration with SD‑WAN or private network environments

From a business perspective, a key factor is ownership. With fixed wireless, your provider owns the network operations. You are not responsible for monitoring the link, troubleshooting issues, or coordinating repairs.

This makes fixed wireless a strong option when you need:

  • Primary internet access where fibre is unavailable or too expensive
  • A reliable backup connection for fibre‑connected sites
  • Consistent connectivity across multiple locations

For most urban, suburban, and industrial business sites, fixed wireless delivers dependable performance without creating new work for your team.

Where LEO satellite fits for Businesses

LEO satellite can be a solution when land‑based options are not available. It is typically best used for:

  • Remote sites with no terrestrial infrastructure
  • Sites with physical or geographic limitations
  • Isolated field or industrial operations

In these scenarios, satellite connectivity may be the only practical choice.

The operational reality of satellite connectivity

Many LEO satellite services are marketed as simple, self‑managed connectivity options. While that may appear straightforward, it changes who is responsible for keeping your business online.

With a “DIY” satellite deployment, responsibility shifts from the service provider to your internal team. Your organization is no longer just using connectivity; it is operating it. This often means your team is responsible for:

  • Installing and configuring satellite equipment
  • Monitoring performance and identifying outages
  • Troubleshooting issues and coordinating replacements
  • Responding when connectivity failures impact operations

For many businesses, this creates an operational gap. Most teams are not structured for continuous monitoring or after‑hours response, yet expectations for up-time remain the same.

An unmanaged approach pushes risk and responsibility onto your business. A managed LEO deployment keeps satellite connectivity integrated into your broader network, with professional installation, ongoing monitoring, and a single point of accountability.

The result is satellite reach without turning your team into a 24/7 support desk.

A straightforward approach for businesses

  • Use fixed wireless wherever terrestrial options are available
  • Use LEO satellite only when geography makes it necessary
  • Choose managed services to reduce operational burden

Connectivity decisions affect uptime, customer experience, and staff workload. Fixed wireless meets the needs of most sites, while satellite works best as a targeted solution for edge cases.

If you are evaluating fixed wireless, LEO satellite, or a combination of both, start by thinking about who will operate and support the service. TeraGo helps Canadian businesses design and manage reliable connectivity. Whether through our fixed wireless network or by installing and managing LEO satellite services, you can focus on running your business, not your network.

Kirk Jacklin

Author