WTA Releases Fourth Annual Satellite Operator Benchmarks Report

New York City, March 6, 2014 – The World Teleport Association (WTA) today released Satellite Operator Benchmarks 2014, the fourth annual WTA global study. The study tracks, rates, and compares the operational and commercial performance of satellite operators, as experienced by a global sample of teleport operators, with the objective of strengthening the industry by driving self-improvement across all companies.

For commercial practices, Spacecom and Telesat topped the commercial rankings.  Overall, it was found in that the quality of commercial practices saw a decline in the view of respondents. Only 26% of the operators received a “strong” rating on any aspect of commercial performance in 2014, compared with 51% in 2013 and 48% in 2012. Eutelsat, Satmex, and Spacecom, however, saw positive changes to their average ratings. 

On the crucial issue of direct competition with teleport operators, all of the operators except AsiaSat were seen to compete less often over the past 12 months than in the prior year.  But where direct competition occurred, it was judged slightly less fair on average than in the previous year, with the exception of Arabsat, Satmex and Telesat.

On the operational side, six of the eight operators were seen to hold their performance steady or improve it. Only Arabsat and AsiaSat were rated lower on average, with declines of 13% and 25% across nine categories. Nonetheless, the number of “strong” ratings showed declines year-over-year. Operators received a “strong” rating in 50% of categories in 2014, compared with 63% in 2013 and 84% in 2012.

"In its fourth year, our report has become a key part of the customer-service conversation for satellite and teleport operators," said WTA executive director Robert Bell.  "It draws on 100 interviews with teleports spending $1.8 billion on capacity, who have strong views on the commercial and operational practices of satellite operators.  This year's report captures both positive and negative trends, and we grateful for how seriously our colleagues at the satellite operators take this feedback."

The new report is available free to members of the association and may be purchased by non-members.