NSR Press Releases

NSR Report: Satellite Ground Segment a Key Enabler for Satcom Growth; $137 Billion by 2029

Despite Hard-hit by COVID-19, Infrastructure, Mobility, and Broadband Drive Energetic Recovery in 2021

Cambridge, MA – NSR’s Global Satellite Ground Segment, 5th Edition report, released today, forecasts global, cumulative revenues for the Commercial Satellite Ground Segment by 2029 at $138 Billion. Data-driven applications are very dynamic with VSAT platforms growing at double-digit rates in the next 10 years. Backhaul, Consumer Broadband, and specialized Enterprise VSAT show the highest interest in this category. For Antennas and RF Chains, the focus is on high-end segments like Earth Stations, where opportunities will come from feeding Broadband networks and the transition to Q/V-Bands, or Mobility, with sophisticated requirements keeping margins at healthy rates. On the other hand, while volumes of Satellite TV are still unmatched by any other application, revenues are stagnant for STB and low-end antennas.

“The Ground Segment has been one of the hardest-hit elements of the satcom value chain brought about by COVID-19,” stated Lluc Palerm, report author. “Q2 was a disaster for many actors, and 2020 will close with revenues down by 18.6%. Deployments and new deals were halted due to travel restrictions, challenges with the value chain and caution with expenditures. However, this must not divert attention from long-term extraordinary potential. The recovery is already underway as infrastructure gets ready for future VHTS/Constellation launches. Backhaul and Consumer Broadband also see the cadence of deals accelerating, while ease of travel restrictions together with new business models like free-Wi-Fi boost demand for Mobility equipment,” according to Palerm.

With the value in the industry climbing from ‘MHz’ to ‘Networks’, the Ground Segment must step up its game to enable Satcom growth. The transition to 5G is critical in this sense, as satellite has an opportunity to become a mainstream technology, fully integrable with the terrestrial ecosystem. Similarly, adoption of virtualization and the Cloud will minimize design and operation costs while allowing the scale and flexibility needed to meet the requirements of VHTS and constellations. However, the report notes that flat panel antennas (FPAs) continue to be the Achilles heel for mega-constellations, targeting the consumer broadband segment, as it is unclear how these antennas can be produced at cost levels that allow closing the business case.

About the Report

NSR’s Global Satellite Ground Segment, 5th Edition is the longest-standing and the most complete analysis and forecast of the commercial satellite ground equipment sector. The study leverages NSR’s extensive and in-depth satellite industry knowledge and provides shipments and equipment revenues for all key industry segments: Satellite TV, Consumer Broadband, Fixed Enterprise VSAT, Cellular Backhaul, Trunking, IP Content Distribution, Aeronautical SatCom, Land Mobile, Maritime, Baseband Equipment, SatCom Earth Stations and M2M. It is the first and only report to segment equipment shipments and revenues into STB, modems, antennas and RF Equipment. The report covers shipments and equipment revenues in five regional markets, investigates trends impacting market growth and business models, and surveys technological trends shaping the future of the ground equipment and impacting the satellite industry as a whole.

The Global Satellite Ground Segment, 5th Edition report relies on NSR’s extensive knowledge of the satellite MSS, FSS and HTS industries using the different targeted analysis in each market segment as building blocks for this global study.

For additional information on this report, including a full table of contents, list of exhibits and executive summary, please visit www.nsr.com or call NSR at 617-674-7743.

Companies and Organizations Mentioned in the Report

Astronics, Broadpeak, CGC, Cobham, Comtech, CPI, EchoStar, Eutelsat, Forsway, GateHouse, GD Satcom, Gilat, Global Invacom, Harris, Harris Corporation, Honeywell, Hughes, iDirect, Inmarsat, Intellian, Intelsat, Iridium, Jonsa, KNS, Kongsberg, Kratos, KVH, L3 Datron, Maxar Technologies, ND Satcom, NEOTION, Newtec, Norsat, O3b, OneWeb, Orbcomm, Orbit, Orbital Systems, Panasonic, Qest, Quadrille, Satixfy, SES, SINUTA, Spacebridge, SpaceTrack, SpaceX, Taznia, Tecom, Teledyne, Telesat, Terrasat Communications, Thinkom, Thuraya, UHP, ViaSat, and Zodiac Aerospace.

About NSR

NSR is the leading global market research and consulting firm focused on the satellite and space sectors. NSR’s global team, unparalleled coverage and anticipation of trends with a higher degree of confidence and precision than the competition is the cornerstone of all NSR offerings.  First to market coverage and a transparent, dependable approach sets NSR apart as the key provider of critical insight to the satellite and space industries.  Contact us at info@nsr.com to discuss how we can assist your business.