How satellite connectivity can narrow the digital learning gap

Key points:

We are living through a dramatic transformation in how Americans learn. Though not exactly new, e-learning is being quickly embraced by more and more people as a complement or alternative to traditional classroom learning.

Part of this rapid change is because the full range of e-learning’s possibilities are now widely recognized. According to a survey from the University of the Potomac, 70 percent of students–and 77 percent of educators–say that online learning is better than traditional classroom learning.

It allows anyone with broadband access to become a student for life, opening new education and career opportunities. Widespread adoption of new AI applications will make it even more compelling with immersive and personalized learning programs.

But this opportunity is not equally available to everyone. In many parts of the country, the lack of stable and reliable internet connectivity leaves too many people out. If left unaddressed, this digital education divide will widen, and millions of Americans will be left behind without the skills they need to succeed in our fast-evolving and ever more competitive economy.

To meet this challenge head on, we must make e-learning easily accessible in underserved communities, many of them rural, so we can ensure there is a level playing field in the career landscape of tomorrow.

How e-learning levels the playing field by making education more engaging

Increasingly, AI is making online learning solutions more immersive and collaborative, and measurable benefits are already here. When content is more engaging, the lessons are more effective, and in some cases students are retaining up to 60 percent more of what they learn. Another study found companies using e-learning for employee training require up to 60 percent less time compared to traditional classroom instruction.

E-learning is also more flexible–students can set their own hours, revisit courses at will, change their program of study to suit their needs, and work at their own pace. It enables rural students to collaborate on projects with students or teachers in cities and gives them access to global educational content that might not be available otherwise.

It’s also valuable for workers looking to learn new skills, particularly in remote or rural areas where reskilling opportunities might not otherwise be immediately available. A 2024 survey of HR professionals in Europe, Asia, and North America found most HR professionals believed half their work force would need to be reskilled in the next five years. Those left behind risk losing access to well-paying jobs and long-term career security.

But the real benefit will come when AI-infused programs are tested, refined, and become more widely available. These promise to personalize e-learning, acting like an individual tutor that identifies students’ strengths and weaknesses, and tailoring lessons specifically to their needs.

Satellite connectivity can bridge the digital divide

The benefits of e-learning are substantial and will only increase as technologies improve. But they are unavailable for millions of Americans, largely in rural areas, who have no access to robust, affordable broadband connectivity.

This is the reality of the digital divide in the United States, and it is particularly acute in areas most in need of economic redevelopment. While broadband options like fiber-optics or cable provide fast, robust service, they have limited reach, and providers have so far mostly invested their geographical footprint in urban and suburban areas.

Connecting rural or remote communities is either too technically challenging or not cost-effective for many connectivity providers. For cable or fiber operators, there generally needs to be a critical mass of potential customers before it makes sense to build out a location’s infrastructure. Wireless is more common in rural and remote areas, but often the end user is too far from a tower to make service reliable. As a result, there are significant coverage gaps.

Satellite connectivity can easily overcome those challenges. With its turnkey accessibility, satellites can rapidly bridge the digital divide and enable lifelong learning and upskilling for students and workers alike, regardless of where they live. It isn’t affected by inclement weather or downed power lines. All that’s required is a dish to be installed on the property and an unobstructed view of the sky.

When considering a satellite operator, there are two primary kinds of service: geosynchronous (GEO), or geostationary, and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The former is usually more cost effective, but because of the longer distance between orbit and earth, there are sometimes latency issues for data-intensive applications. Meanwhile, the latter option provides lower latency for real-time applications.

For learners in rural areas–including tribal lands–satellite connectivity is the critical lynchpin that enables them to participate in e-learning programs when other connectivity options are unavailable or fall short. Without it, they are left disconnected from modern educational resources, new technologies, and career opportunities available to their urban and suburban counterparts.

Investing in satellite service is not just about closing the digital divide, it’s about breaking down barriers to education and creating pathways to brighter future for rural and remote communities. Maintaining a competitive, engaged workforce may depend on it.