In a study released July 27, 2009 entitled "The Market for Commercial Communications Satellites: 2009-2018," Forecast International is projecting deliveries of approximately 262 commercial communications satellites destined for geostationary or medium-Earth orbit, worth $38.7 billion, during the next 10 years. The low-Earth-orbiting (LEO) market, comprising satellites primarily for the provision of mobile communi-cations, will see production of 142 spacecraft worth about $2.7 billion.

In the recently released Mobile Satellite Services 5th Edition report, NSR noted that fears of the bottom line falling out for all MSS operators due to the economic crisis were overestimated; however, caution was still the best attitude one could take for the short-term. NSR also noted that the first quarter 2009 numbers had already given indications that operators are not protected from hardship and slowdowns.

Research from Media Partners Asia (MPA) shows that the top 40 pay-TV operators in Asia added an aggregate of 5.8 mil. net new subscribers during the six months to end-June, 2009, taking their combined customer base to 65.3 mil., around a third of the installed pay-TV base across the region. MPA forecasts indicate that these leading operators will end the year with 70.7 mil. customers, implying annual net additions of 11.3 mil. and close to 20% annual growth.

A research study by Informa Telecoms and Media forecasts that the pay TV market in the Middle East and North Africa will grow from 6.9 million subscribers at the end of 2008 to 11 million by end 2014. Although over 60% of these subscribers are based in Turkey and Israel, increasing growth levels in other countries in the region highlight that the sector is developing strongly.

Southeast Asia’s (SEA) mobile users are expected to hit 453.3 million subscribers by the close of this year, growing 18.4 percent over 2008. Billings are estimated to grow by 13.6 percent year-on-year to top US$32 billion by year-end.

The paradigm shift in defence doctrine that saw the transformation of European defence into an expeditionary force, has allowed satellite communication (SATCOM) to become the primary means of integrating platforms and forces under one umbrella. European MODs are vigorously acquiring SATCOM capability since it is increasingly recognised as a force multiplier in the new European defence posture.

The video distribution business in the Middle East is booming. Last year,  we provided an overview of commercial Middle Eastern Satellite Communications, based on primary and secondary research. What we provide here is an update from the perspective we gained during travel to the region in the month of June 2009, which included visits to major facilities. In this article, we report on the leading teleports in Dubai, UAE, and Amman, Jordan.

The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) has released new data on Asian Satellite demand to coincide with the annual CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum in Singapore last June.

The Broadband Forum announced at CommunicAsia in Singapore the latest broadband and IPTV statistics, which show impressive growth in the face of the global economic downturn. Its report, prepared for the Forum by industry analysts Point Topic (GBS database at http://point-topic.com/home/gbs/), shows that broadband grew by 16.6 million lines globally in the last quarter alone, with more than three million being added across North America - while IPTV continues to expand strongly.

The Broadband Forum announced at CommunicAsia in Singapore the latest broadband and IPTV statistics, which show impressive growth in the face of the global economic downturn. Its report, prepared for the Forum by industry analysts Point Topic (GBS database at http://point-topic.com/home/gbs/), shows that broadband grew by 16.6 million lines globally in the last quarter alone, with more than three million being added across North America - while IPTV continues to expand strongly.