I am interested in learning more about forecasts for the improvement
of satellite Internet services (services that use a two-way satellite
connection to provide internet service).

I am familiar with some of
the current offerings (notably StarBand and DirecWay) and their
limitations (an unstable connection and 1000 ms + latency) and would
like to understand what services (if any) are expected to become
available in the next 1-5 year period to improve this and other
aspects.

I am principally interested in fixed, land based units, but
would also be interested in learning more about systems designed for
ships and yachts, as well as aircraft.  Would be very interested in
reports and/or forecasts on the subject.

The 1000 ms latency is due to the time it takes to send a signal up to
a satellite in orbit and back down again at the speed of light-it
takes about a second for all of that.  It is the nature of the beast,
and will never change.

There are other, land based wireless internet services that don't have
that limitation, such as discussed in this article:
http://www.techimo.com/articles/i12.html

But as for satellite internet, there is no fix for the high latency,
and never will be.

In re: latency and the speed of light - geostationary satellites would
presumably continue to have about the same latency, but what of
low-earth orbit satellites?

I would be very interested in any articles about plans to build (or
extend existing) low-earth orbit networks for internet use.

The article on land-based wireless is quite interesting, particular
the directional antennas.  Thank you.