Market Trends

 Euroconsult released September 3rd its latest findings on the satellite-based Earth observation sector. According to its new report "Satellite-Based Earth Observation, Market Prospects to 2018" there will be over $1 billion in annual data sales in 2009 — a figure expected to nearly quadruple by 2018 — indicating the commercial Earth observation sector is establishing itself as a legitimate source of revenue growth for the global economy. Approximately 260 Earth observation and meteorology satellites will be launched in the next ten years, generating $27.4 billion in manufacturing revenues compared to only 128 satellites and $20.4 billion in revenues the previous decade.

by NSR

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 and Markets has announced the addition of Screen Digest’s new report "Mobile Market Monitor: TV H2 2008" to their offering.

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.

by NSR

Of the nominally US$787 billion that makes up the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, less than 1% has been directed to be used for funding a variety of broadband initiatives throughout the U.S. Yet, it seems that the broadband subsidy funding has attracted much more than its fair share of attention with all types of projects and proposals being floated and developed by entities large and small across the country.

Generating $49 Million Worldwide Passenger Revenue

The number of broadband enabled airplanes will increase from 25 in 2008 to 800 in 2009, reports In-Stat http://www.in-stat.com. As a result, broadband hungry airline passengers will generate over $49 million worldwide in 2009. The in-flight broadband market is still emerging and will grow well beyond $1 billion annually by 2012.

by NSR

Anyone in the satellite industry more than six months has probably heard of Ka-band satellites. Anyone (like most of us) who has been in the industry a bit longer knows that the benefits and advantages of Ka-band spotbeam satellites have been endlessly discussed in conferences, meetings, and an uncountable number of other industry events for well over a decade. Most often cited, to the point that it has essentially become an industry mantra, is that Ka-band satellites can dramatically lower the cost per bit of delivering a satellite service. This has developed along the lines of other mantras in our industry like "satellites can deliver services anywhere" and "satellites are the single best technology for point-to-multipoint content delivery."

Ovum’s newly released mobile broadband forecasts show that users accessing the Internet via mobile broadband enabled laptops and handsets will generate revenues of US $137 billion globally in 2014, over 450% more than in 2008. However, operators will need to content themselves with the fact that user growth will be far faster than revenue growth, meaning more users and more data traffic but declining ARPUs.

by NSR

When looking at the pie of advanced satellite equipment market, it is not surprising to find that the lion’s share of projected sales falls within the DTH sector. DTH operators need MPEG-4 and DVB-S2 technologies to offer advanced TV offerings and differentiate against cable triple-play and VOD. Such differentiating consumer services enabled by advanced receiver hardware play a particular relevance in the saturated North American pay TV market, exercising upward pressure on subscriber acquisition costs, but offset by declining costs of advanced hardware.

by NSR

In the last two years, much has been made within the satellite industry of transponder shortages and higher capacity pricing impacting the Sub-Saharan African market. Evidence from NSR’s Global Assessment of Satellite Demand, 5th Edition study details the current capacity issues facing this regional market, and numerous operators have already responded. Some additional capacity on existing satellites has been relocated to the Sub-Saharan Africa market, and a number of recently launched satellites have already increased supply with more to come in the next several years.