Satellite and NTN tracker, Q3 2024

Telco-satellite convergence has become an industry-wide movement rather than the niche strategy it used to be. 91 individual telecoms operators now have signed partnerships with satellite companies to provide services through distribution agreements. This is a market shift from the telco perspective, with satellite increasingly viewed as a pragmatic means of network extension and access to revenue streams – both consumer and B2B/IoT – not otherwise economically feasible. In aggregate, the partnerships cover a mobile subscriber base of around 5 billion people, equivalent to 61% of global market share, and cover backhaul and direct-to-device service. 45% of the live or planned services from telcos involve direct-to-cell capabilities (the other 55% provide backhaul to mobile base stations).

This report tracks data and developments from telcos and satellite companies in pursuit of monetisation in the consumer, B2B and government sectors.