[Robotbeat]

They actually demonstrated the link. LEO goes down to 200-400km altitude. Their prototype was at 400km altitude.

What makes their technology impressive is the ability to work beyond the usual ~20 mile limit without modifying user hardware.

A good article:

"For example, a standard cell phone connected to a terrestrial tower generally has a range limited to around 35 kilometers (21 miles) if the line-of-sight is not interrupted by hills, buildings, or foliage. The phone signal can travel further, but the reception range is artificially limited by the highly accurate time frames of the cell phone protocol.

To get the phone to connect to a satellite flying 500 kilometers (310 miles) overhead, Lynk’s software at the satellite overcomes the built-in time-frame distance limit built into standard phone protocols." http://www.satmagazine.com/story.php?number=1127710956