By 2014, 84 percent of all pay-TV net additions will come from emerging markets, however a successful pay-TV VoD service in these markets will depend on a variety of factors, according to a new report by Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com), the telecom research arm of Light Reading Communications Network (www.lightreading.com).

by Martin Jarrold, Chief, International Programs Development, GVF

Deployment of broadband satellite technologies is correctly recognized as an imperative to maximization of cutting-edge digital oilfield applications and to considerations of cost-effectiveness – it is a force multiplier, enabling return on investment, as well as facilitating mission critical communications links.

New multi-megabit-per-second Ku-Band satcoms-on-the-move (OTM or SOTM) products and service offerings, some employing technology originally vetted in military use, are being brought to market for commercial services. These exciting new service opportunities include live news video streaming from moving vehicles, rear-seat entertainment for cars,in-flight and in-train broadband services, as well as law enforcement and first-responder systems.

Keeping On Track

According to NSR’s new report, Global Direct-to-Home (DTH) Markets, 2nd Edition, satellite television has proven its resilience in tough economic climates, driven primarily by a larger section of viewers choosing television as a cost effective means of entertainment. A total of 99 DTH operators beam over 13,800 channels to 114 million subscribers generating over $65 billion in subscription revenue as of the end of 2008 – and the collective pie continues to grow.

Revenues of mobile satellite service operators grew to over $1.2 billion last year, despite the adverse impact of the economic crisis on some of the industry’s key vertical markets according to EuroConsult. Industry wholesale revenues are expected to continue growing over the next decade, by a rate of 8% (ten-year CAGR).

According to NSR’s new report, Global Assessment of Satellite Supply & Demand (GASD), 6th Edition, commercial satellite operators saw a very good year in 2008 with revenues up substantially. More importantly, most satellite operators have yet to report any substantial damage from the global economic crisis and, assuming recovery is solidly in place by the end of 2009, it appears that they will largely escape unscathed.

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 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.

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.