Short answer
LEO (low-Earth-orbit) satellites orbit much closer to Earth than geostationary ones, so latency is far lower. FirstNet LEO typically runs at around 50 to 80 ms, which keeps voice, video calls, cloud platforms and remote access responsive.
In detail: FirstNet LEO vs traditional geostationary VSAT
For context, geostationary satellites sit roughly 36,000 km above the equator. LEO satellites orbit at a small fraction of that height, which is why the delay drops so sharply. As a result, LEO works for interactive cloud apps and calls that struggle on older satellite links.
FirstNet's enterprise LEO service runs on Eutelsat OneWeb. It is delivered in South Africa through ICASA-licensed partner arrangements, and it is a very different experience from legacy geostationary VSAT:
The physical setup differs too. LEO satellites move across the sky rather than sitting in one fixed position, so the antenna needs a broad, clear view of the sky rather than a single line of sight to one point. Dense tree canopy or structures in the antenna's field of view can affect performance, and like all satellite technologies, LEO can be affected by severe weather. FirstNet validates the site before installing, checking for:
- A clear view of the sky, usually a roof or open area
- A secure mounting position and power at the installation point
- Site access, including permits or safety inductions
- Accurate GPS coordinates that plot to the installation roof
The commercial model is flexible. Business plans run up to 100/20 Mbps with no fair-usage policy, on month-to-month or fixed terms. Data can be pooled across multiple sites, or a link can sit on standby so you only pay for data when you use it. For events, FirstNet installs the day before and removes it the day after, with no contractual commitment.
Where LEO fits:
- Off-grid primary, where fibre is absent, unreliable or has prohibitive lead times
- Hybrid failover, with fibre as the primary and LEO as a backup that does not share fibre's failure modes
- SD-WAN path diversity, as an independent underlay alongside fibre or LTE/5G
- Multi-site estates such as ATMs, point-of-sale sites, clinics and branches
LEO is not a fibre replacement. Where viable fibre exists, it remains the better primary for speed, latency and consistency, and FirstNet checks fibre, microwave, fixed wireless and LTE/5G before recommending LEO as a primary link.
FirstNet treats LEO as part of a managed network, not a standalone dish. It links LEO with fibre, LTE/5G, SD-WAN and security, with one accountable partner. It uses only ICASA-licensed services, never grey-market satellite, and usually returns a quote within one business day after checking coverage and licensing for your site.