IoS

Webopedia Staff
Last Updated May 24, 2021 7:46 am

IoS is a term that can refer to either Internet over Satellite or Apple’s iOS mobile operating system.

In the former case, Internet over Satellite (IoS) technology allows a user to access the Internet via a satellite that orbits the earth. A satellite is placed at a static point above the earth’s surface. The satellite in a fixed position, also referred to as geostationary or geosynchronous, is able to maintain a reliable connection to the antennas on the earth because the satellite orbits the earth at the exact speed of the earth’s rotation.

Because of the enormous distances signals must travel from the earth up to the satellite and back again, IoS is slightly slower than high-speed terrestrial connections over copper or fiber optic cables. In remote regions of the world, Internet over Satellite is the only viable option as installing the cable backbone necessary for Internet connection is not economically feasible or physically possible.

Apple’s iOS for iPhones, iPads, iPods, and AppleTV

As mentioned earlier, iOS can also refer to Apple’s iOS mobile operating system that powers the company’s mobile devices such as iPhones, iPads and iPods, as well as its Apple TV entertainment device.