Global Markets for Satellite Technology -- Focus on the APAC Market

Report Highlights

This report provides:

• An overview of the market for satellite technology in the APAC region which is a complex interplay of defense, regulatory, and market forces as the technology is considered a critical resource in most countries.
• Analyses of market trends, with data from 2011 and 2012, estimates for 2013, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2018.
• Discussion of how commercial applications of satellites have developed almost hand-in-hand with defense, communications, and environmental utilizations.
• Coverage of broadcast and network management equipment and devices, including transponders, antennas, gateways, and terrestrial management infrastructure; and coverage of user premise-based and user-operated equipment and devices, including satellite phones, satellite radios, VSATs, navigation devices, reception antennas, and set-top boxes.
• A breakdown of satellite applications, such as defense, weather, communications, and navigation, as well as end-use applications, such as gaming, media, and entertainment; telecommunications; education and research; defense and government; maritime; logistics; and automotive.

INTRODUCTION

Satellites are self-driven objects or vehicles placed in predefined orbits around the earth for communication and monitoring purposes. This report identifies and forecasts the potential for telecommunication components, modules and devices in satellite technologies.

There is a plethora of nomenclature associated with satellites, but the list of purposes that satellites serve can be distilled into two simple categories: monitoring and recording of desired phenomena and communications. In case of the former, a satellite acts as an “eye in the sky,” whereas in case of the latter, it can act as a relay agent.

Telecommunication components, modules and devices are integral in helping the satellite perform both these activities. In case of the former, they help to transport the captured and recorded data to the Earth and to transport operational commands from the Earth to the satellite. In case of the latter, they perform filtering and amplification of the uplinked data, perform frequency conversion of the data, amplify it and downlink it to the desired target area. This operational segment is the satellite segment.

At the ground monitoring and control level, telecommunication components, modules and devices help to control the satellite and to transfer payload data. This operational segment is the earth station segment.

Additionally, users themselves must be equipped with devices capable of communicating with these satellites, which opens another market opportunity to telecommunication stakeholders. This operational segment is the user segment.

These possibilities present a lucrative market waiting to be leveraged for telecommunications stakeholders, but the reality is at variance with the expectations. There are some formidable factors that lend considerable complexity in dealing with the satellite technology market.

On the technology front, telecommunications components, modules and devices must support high-frequency operations and withstand extreme operational conditions. This calls for high-precision and robust products. The technology for developing such components, modules and devices is not as openly available as it is for mainstream communication products.

Satellites are high-investment machines. The launch technology associated with placing them into their orbits commands even higher premiums. Their presence and operations offer significant strategic advantages from the national security perspective. As a result, government and defense agencies around the world remain interested in satellite technology. The satellite industry is not strictly governed by market forces alone. The disconnection from the mainstream market raises entry barriers and restricts entry only to those companies capable of dealing with prolonged spells of uncertainty.

This report provides clarity on the nature of market opportunity in satellite technologies for the wider telecommunication stakeholder audience.

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

This study’s goals and objectives include the following activities in regard to telecommunications components, modules and devices:

• To forecast the market size in terms of sales, shipments and equivalent channel capacity (in the case of transponders).
• To classify the overall market size by key classification criteria such as operating segments, orbits, geographic regions and key country markets.
• To break down the market size of individual constituents of each operating segment by orbits, geographic regions and end applications in terms of sales, shipments and equivalent channel capacity (in the case of transponders).
• To break down the market size of individual constituents of satellite and earth station key country markets in terms of sales, shipments and equivalent channel capacity (in the case of transponders).
• To highlight the roles played by major stakeholders and players.
• To provide an overview of the activities of influential companies.
• To examine crucial, innovative breakthroughs by means of a detailed patent analysis.

REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY

Satellite technologies represent an imaginative solution for addressing existing requirements. They also open newer possibilities through exploration and breakthroughs. Telecommunications is pivotal to all satellite types. There are fundamental differences in the dynamics of the larger market for telecommunications components, modules and devices and the satellite technology market. Technology and business reasons lend complexity to the task of identifying and then quantifying this market in clear terms. This report attempts to simplify the market for telecommunications stakeholders.

The report examines the satellite technologies market under the following key parameters:

• Operating segments.
• Orbits.
• End applications.
• Regional dynamics.
• Market for operating segment components within individual countries.

SCOPE OF THE REPORT

This report presents the forecasts for satellite components, modules and devices for 2013 through 2018 on a volume and value basis.

Sales values are presented in U.S. dollars.

Unit volumes are presented in two units:

• Transponder equivalent (TPE) 36-MHz channels in case of transponder capacity.
• Thousand units in case of all other measurables.

These forecasts are further broken down by operating segments, orbits, and end-use application. 

INTENDED AUDIENCE

This report provides a granular analysis of the market for telecommunication components, modules and devices in satellite technologies. It will be of value to the following industry players:

• Telecommunication component makers to identify the market size for their products in each operating segment.
• Transponder and payload integrators.
• Satellite manufacturers.
• Antenna vendors.
• User segment device manufacturers.
• Satellite radio, satellite TV, BGAN, satellite phone and VSAT operators.
• Cellular operators.
• Semiconductor device makers.
• Wireless chipset makers.
• End users and distributors.
• Academic and research institutions.
• Financial institutions.

METHODOLOGY

Both primary and secondary research methodologies were used to prepare this report. BCC Research presents an analysis across the global market for antennas based on reported revenue dollars and units shipped. Data gathered from various research sources via the Internet were also analyzed. Interviews were conducted with well-placed industry sources.

INFORMATION SOURCES

The following sources have been referenced:

• Primary research, including interviews with experts from companies operating in the handset and waveform domains.
• Published industry data.
• Shipment reports of unlisted companies.
• 10-K reports.

AUTHOR CREDENTIALS

Shalini Ramamurthy has extensive experience analyzing and evaluating advanced information technology, including telecommunications and optical networks. She holds a Bachelor’s of Engineering degree in Electronics and Telecommunications from Kumaraguru College of Technology in Coimbatore, India, as well as a Master’s of Science degree in Telecommunications and Software Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.

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DISCLAIMER

The information developed in this report is intended to be as reliable as possible at the time of publication and is of a professional nature. This information does not constitute managerial, legal or accounting advice, nor should it serve as a corporate policy guide, laboratory manual or an endorsement of any product, as much of the information is speculative in nature. The author assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage that might result from reliance on the reported information or from its use.