In cellular telecommunications, backhaul is the connection between a base transceiver station and the core network. The means of the connection can be anything, including cable, fiber optic, microwave links, and satellite links.
Flat-Earthers use the fact that cell phones communicate with base stations as “evidence” satellites do not exist. In reality, some cellular companies do utilize a satellite for backhaul purposes, especially for stations in remote, isolated areas.
To a cellular company, providing a service to a remote island with only 100 inhabitants using a fiber optic link is not economically feasible. On the other hand, a single satellite can easily reach the island and numerous other places with a similar situation. While a satellite link has less capacity than a fiber optic link, it is more than adequate for a small village.
In an urban setting, fiber optic is the most popular means of backhaul. However, using it as “evidence” all cellular networks use fiber optic is the fallacy of proof by example. Other means of backhaul exist, including satellites.
References
- Backhaul (telecommunications) – Wikipedia