Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology is starting to emerge as a new option for applications which have been difficult to connect with existing satellite technologies.

The digital divide for internet connectivity represents about 4bn people without internet access. LEO satellites can provide a cost efficient and low latency solution to bridge this gap.

A combination of satellite specialists, aerospace companies and tech giants could be offering LEO networks as soon as 2019 with various consortium members including Space X, Boeing, OneWeb, Airbus, Google and Virgin.

Australian businesses such as Myriota and Optus are utilising and promoting LEO satellite technology with potential use cases including complementing mobile network coverage in mobile blackspots and IoT applications.

The Australian Government has indicated that it could use LEO satellites as one of key satellite technologies within the soon to be established Australian Space Agency.