1. Comparison Table (Technical Specs)
| Feature | Cellular (4G/5G) | Satellite (SatCom) |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Urban/Suburban | Global (Oceans/Deserts) |
| Latency | Low (20-50ms) | Variable (40ms - 600ms) |
| Bandwidth | High (4K Video) | Low/Med (Expensive) |
| Cost | Cheap | Expensive |
2. Cellular (4G/5G): The Urban Backbone
Pros: High bandwidth allows for "First Person View" (FPV) video streaming. Public infrastructure means towers are already there.
Cons: Towers are designed to blast signal down, not up. Drones at 400ft might connect to 10 towers at once, creating interference.
3. Satellite (SatCom): The Global Safety Net
The "New" LEO Revolution: Starlink / OneWeb offer high speed and lower latency, finally making satellite viable for drone video feeds. But hardware is still bulky.
4. The Winner: Hybrid Connectivity
Serious BVLOS operations don't choose one; they use both.
- Primary Link: 5G (for 4K video).
- Backup Link: Satellite (for critical command & control).
Conclusion: 5G is the workhorse for data. Satellite is the mandatory safety line.