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SATELLITE Conference :: Mobile Satellite Services
Inflight Connectivity: Going beyond Internet Access and Voice Calls |
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In-flight connectivity is becoming an expected amenity by airline passengers within the United States and deployment is now advancing rapidly in other parts of the world. Nevertheless, take rates remain relatively low for both WiFi Internet access and cellphone-based voice calls. Connectivity service providers are exploring other sources of revenues, such as delivering wireless in-flight entertainment solutions and supporting cockpit and crew services for gains in operational efficiency. Will these ancillary services boost provider revenues or will revenues benefit more from growing connectivity take rates resulting from the deployment of higher speed Ku and Ka-band solutions. What level of revenue is needed for providers to achieve profitability? Gogo's Air-To-Ground solution has achieved widespread deployment within the US, but may face capacity constraints in the medium term. Inmarsat's L-band services are also widely installed to provide safety services on many long haul aircraft. Will ATG and L-band be good enough for years to come, or will airlines upgrade rapidly to Ku and Ka-band solutions? All these questions and more will be debated in this session with representatives from many of the key industry players. [more] |
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Competing Visions for the Future of Maritime Broadband: Ku VS Ka-band |
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Over the last year, potential competition for Inmarsat's new Ka-band Global Xpress service has heated up with the announcement of Intelsat's high capacity Epic Ku-band satellite system. Maritime service providers and customers must now weigh up the advantages of integrated Ka/L-band solutions against the unknowns of a new frequency band. Inmarsat's vertical integration with its ShipEquip and Stratos subsidiaries has also highlighted additional questions about the optimal mix of direct and indirect distribution within the maritime sector. Many customers still need an L-band backup solution, so how has Inmarsat's price increase for low end FleetBroadband users impacted customers and distributors? Has this change created an opening for alternative solutions such as Iridium Pilot and KVH's miniVSAT? Hear from operators and service providers about their views of this rapidly changing marketplace. [more] |
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What's Next for the MSS Industry in an Era of Mergers and Consolidation? |
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After the LightSquared debacle and DISH's purchase of TerreStar and DBSD, it seems that some of the biggest unknowns of recent years are becoming less of a threat to the established order in the MSS industry. However, the industry has also been buffeted by the European economic crisis and a slowdown in event-driven revenues over the last year. With an industry growth outlook which may fall short of earlier optimistic views, and a wave of consolidation driven by major players, after Inmarsat's purchase of ShipEquip, Astrium's purchase of Vizada and Cobham's purchase of Thrane & Thrane, many previous assumptions about industry structure have been upended. Hear from both large and small distributors and equipment providers about how they plan to best position their business for the future and from industry analysts about their expectations for future developments in the MSS sector. [more] |
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General Session: MSS CEOs: Predictions, Prophecies and Payoffs for the Future |
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Despite a climate of economic uncertainty, MSS operators have been investing very substantial sums to develop new satellite systems and enhanced capabilities to meet growing data demand. However, in the wake of falling government spending on MSS services, overall revenue growth has remained relatively anemic, despite benefitting from recent price changes and continued growth in low speed data services. As a result, the question remains as to whether underlying revenue growth in the MSS market will be strong enough to support all of the current players, especially once high spending L-band customers move up to new Ku and Ka-band services. Hear from the industry's CEOs about their expectations for the future of this industry, and why they believe that their new investments will pay off over the next decade. [more] |
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Mobility: Government Requirements - Driving New Satellite Solutions |
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Mobility has become an essential feature for military field operations, with satellite communications in the forefront for mobile warfighter capabilities. These requirements have become key driving factors for terminal innovation and on-orbit capacity decisions. This panel will discuss future requirements for mobility and the impact on the business and technology plans of equipment manufacturers, service providers and satellite operators alike. Which mobility applications are the key drivers for government users today? How will government mobility requirements continue to track - or diverge-from commercial mobility developments? How should mobility be integrated into the satellite design and application development phases? Should it be an option or a driving factor? [more] |
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The Role of Satellite Solutions in the Fast Growing M2M Data Market |
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With widespread interest amongst terrestrial wireless operators in the growth opportunity that M2M data services create in an increasingly saturated mobile market, a boom in new M2M applications is underway. Satellite providers have also been benefitting from this growth, with M2M data services playing an ever more important role in filling MSS operators' satellite capacity and boosting their bottom line. Some consumer mass market tracking solutions, such as Globalstar's SPOT and DeLorme's InReach, have achieved considerable success, but they still remain small niches from the perspective of terrestrial wireless networks with millions of users. Questions remain as to whether MSS demand will continue to grow in line with terrestrial demand, or if terrestrial will swamp the MSS opportunity as it did for much of the handheld voice business over the last decade. Views also differ on the role that dual mode devices will play in the market: can they enhance the role of satellite as a backup, or are they an unnecessary source of additional complexity? This panel will hear from leading M2M providers about where they believe the opportunities lie, and discuss which solutions are best placed across the satellite M2M market. [more] |
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New Broadband Data Solutions for Portable and Mobile Applications |
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Over the last six years, the highly portable Inmarsat BGAN and Thuraya IP terminals have proved to be a great boon for news organizations, aid agencies, government users and other highly mobile users, enabling higher quality video and improved data communications in hitherto inaccessible locations. These low cost solutions have also proved valuable for temporary networks, e.g. monitoring elections. However, recent declines in usage in the wake of the troop drawdown in Iraq and Afghanistan have indicated just how dependent this market is on event revenues. Operators are therefore looking to embed their terminals in more permanent applications, as well as enhancing data capabilities to drive higher levels of usage when events do occur. Portable terminals operating in Ku and Ka-band are also expected to play a growing role in the future. This session will hear from end users who will describe how they make use of portable broadband data capabilities today and how this will change in the future, and from operators about their plans to meet these needs. [more] |
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Back to the Future? New Competition in the Handheld MSS Market |
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Despite the recent huge investments in highly capable new satellites by LightSquared, TerreStar and DBSD in recent years, the handheld MSS market has hardly noticed any impact from these new systems. Inmarsat has achieved rather more success with its ISatPhone Pro, but low airtime rates did little to stimulate revenue growth and Iridium's subscriber growth remained surprisingly resilient. In summer 2012, Inmarsat raised the price of its handheld service, apparently conceding that there is only limited elasticity of demand in this market. Nevertheless, now its two-way service quality has improved, Globalstar hopes to rapidly regain its former market position, and Thuraya continues to make steady progress with its new phones, so many observers expect the level of competition to grow over the next year. Hear from the leading providers about their expectations for the future of the handheld voice market, and what we can expect in terms of new services and capabilities in 2013 and beyond. [more] |
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Complete Track: MSUA-10 |
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Cost vs Coverage: Optimizing Solutions for In-Flight Connectivity |
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Inmarsat's new GlobalXpress system is designed to hit the sweet spot for long haul airlines, providing both global coverage and low cost Ka-band capacity, to enable Internet connectivity and in-flight phone services for passengers. Once the terminals have been designed and type approved, many in the aeronautical market appear to believe it will quickly supersede the existing solutions of either high cost L-band or limited coverage Ku-band networks and lead to much wider availability of passenger connectivity services. However, ViaSats regional Ka-band system offers much cheaper capacity, and after securing deals with both JetBlue and Continental, now appears to pose the main competitive threat to Aircell's Gogo Air-To-Ground system in North America. Is it a question of horses for courses, leading to a fragmented market of different short haul and long haul passenger connectivity solutions, or will one satellite system come to dominate the aeronautical market? Alternatively, could interoperability between different satellite systems, or a combined satellite and terrestrial network be the optimum long term solution? [more] |
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Waves of Change in the Maritime Broadband Market: How are MSS and FSS Positioned for the Future? |
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Sponsored by Telenor As the dust settles after the announcement ofInmarsat's Ka-band GlobalXpress service, and competitors consider how it will impact the maritime market, 2012 is the year where Inmarsat will prepare the ground for the introduction of this revolutionary new service offering. Will the emphasis be on the priming the pump for Global Xpress with upgradable combined Ku and L-band services (XpressLink) or on preserving L-band revenues with the existing Very Large Allowance packages of low cost L-band capacity? How will competitors respond, and do they need to also develop their own flat rate combined Ku and L-band services? How is the market for smaller Ku-band antennas, such as KVH's miniVSAT, evolving, and how will the low cost of Cobham's Global Xpress terminals affect future expectations for Ku-band equipment pricing? [more] |
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The Battle Over Spectrum and Its Implications for the Future of MSS Networks |
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Throughout 2011 there has been a running battle between LightSquared and the GPS industry over whether LightSquared will be permitted to build out a national terrestrial LTE network in the L-band, or whether interference problems will delay or even prevent LightSquared from going ahead with its plans. Now DISH Network has also proposed the buildout of a similar terrestrial network using the 2GHz MSS spectrum holdings of DBSD and TerreStar. Both projects aim to meet the FCC's objective of freeing up more spectrum for mobile broadband, and in exchange for waivers permitting the use of terrestrial-only handsets, both LightSquared and DISH have promised to maintain a robust, nationwide MSS service. However, with the vast majority of the revenue on these networks generated by terrestrial services, does this mean that MSS customers will lose out, or does it mean that satellite services that would otherwise be non-viable could be developed and cross-subsidized from terrestrial revenues? Much will depend not only on the commitments extracted by the FCC, but also on the business models adopted by the companies themselves. [more] |
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What's Next for MSS Equipment and Service Provision? |
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Over the last five years we have seen rapid change in the satellite mobility market, with strong growth for both L-band and Ku-band services, particularly for broadband data services across land, maritime and aeronautical markets. As Inmarsat's GlobalXpress Ka-band system comes to market in the near future, the business models of MSS and VSAT services are expected to blur, and service providers will need to decide how GlobalXpress fits into their service portfolio. Major equipment providers will also need to develop new strategies to compete in a new market with higher volumes and lower pricing across the range of L, Ku and Ka-band terminals. Further technical breakthroughs may also be needed to ensure that customer requirements for low cost portable and mobile terminals can be met. In this session both equipment suppliers and service providers will discuss how they plan to make the most of these new opportunities in the MSS market and where end users will see the greatest benefit. [more] |
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Back to the Future? New Competition in the Handheld MSS Market |
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After the launch of Inmarsat's ISatPhone Pro in June 2010 and with Globalstar's anticipated re-entry into two-way services, the handheld MSS market is entering a new phase of intense competition. However, to date Iridium has managed to sustain its dominant market position, and even grow its handheld subscriber base. TerreStar made little impression on the market with the original launch of its Genus phone, but now DISH Network is promising to offer a robust, integrated satellite and terrestrial service. LightSquared plans to compete for handheld MSS customers as well. Where do MSS operators see the growth opportunities for handheld satellite phones? Is there a desirable untapped opportunity at the low end of the market and will consumers ever buy MSS phones for everyday use? What do existing users need in terms of new data capabilities on their satellite phones? [more] |
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Delivering Cloud Services via Satellite |
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Cloud computing is taking the IT world by storm, because of the immense cost savings and productivity improvements it can deliver. But the cloud demands what the Internet has been so effective at delivering: seamless routing across multiple networks without regard to geography or ownership. This has tended to leave satellite on the sidelines when it comes to accessing the cloud. But recent advances are opening opportunities to deliver cloud services through hybrid satellite-fiber connectivity and across diverse satellite networks. Experts share visions of cloud computing via satellite, reveal constraints and strategies, and describe examples of successful implementation. [more] |
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The Changing World of MSS Distribution: Views from the Front Lines |
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This session will examine the impact that changes in MSS operator competition and distribution structures have had on business relationships with end users. Panelists representing leading distributors will discuss the current state of the market and the prospects for existing and proposed new services over the next five years. What will be the long term impact of competition between MSS and FSS operators to provide mobile broadband services? What price trends should be expected? What are the fastest growing opportunities for MSS providers? How should distributors deal with the continued expansion and enhancement of terrestrial services? [more] |
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Competing for Customers: The MSS CEOs Speak Out |
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The last year has seen dramatic developments in the MSS market. New systems have been announced and multi-billion dollar contracts signed. Next generation satellites and new services have been launched, bringing renewed competition to the handheld market, amongst others. MSS revenue growth has also held up through the economic downturn, despite continued pricing pressure. Nevertheless, it is still far from clear whether all of the MSS systems being developed will be able to generate a return on investment for their investors. Spectrum continues to be a key issue for MSS operators, with debate at the FCC over how best to increase the “value, utilization, innovation, and investment in MSS spectrum”, and discussion over what the future will hold for satellite systems developed to take advantage of the Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) rules. Some MSS operators are also facing the prospect of head-to-head competition with the FSS sector to provide mobile broadband services. Will 2011 bring a long awaited shake-out amongst MSS operators, and if so who will emerge successful? Will MSS be able to defend its existing spectrum allocations in the face of challenges from terrestrial wireless operators? How will new ATC networks impact the market for existing MSS users? Hear from the industry’s CEOs about what they expect for the future. [more] |
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A New Generation of MSS Terminals: What's Next for MSS Equipment Providers? |
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As new, lower cost MSS services become an ever more important part of the MSS market, and mobile broadband moves into new frequency bands, attention is turning to the role of equipment providers in supporting these developments. In recent years, satellite operators have forged agreements with Qualcomm, Infineon and Hughes Network Systems to incorporate satellite connectivity into mass market next generation cellular chipsets. Meanwhile significant product development will be needed to provide affordable Ka-band terminals for mobile broadband applications on land, sea and in the air. How will these developments impact the MSS equipment market, and how will they affect the position of existing MSS equipment vendors and potential new entrants to this market? Will MSS equipment providers see a decline in margins, or will volume growth outweigh the impact of low cost terminals? How will the response of equipment manufacturers shape end user demand for MSS services and products? In this session, leading equipment suppliers will discuss how they plan to make the most of these new opportunities and what the benefits will be for end users. [more] |
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Wireless Integration: More than Just Backhaul? |
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Use of satellite technology to connect wireless networks has entered a new and complex phase. While traditional satellite backhaul of cellular networks still dominates the market, satellites are now poised to serve new data intensive applications via both backhaul means and emerging spectrum sharing arrangements. In addition new technologies such as pico cells are creating an even larger market for satellite players to target. But with these new opportunities comes the threat of competition with terrestrial solutions in both cost and capabilities. What then is the future for satellite-wireless solutions and partnerships? Can satellites stay competitive and relevant in this new era of hybrid cooperation? [more] |
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New Solutions and New Opportunities: The CEOs Speak Out |
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Despite the economic downturn, MSS operators have continued to move forward with their plans to develop next generation satellite systems, and so far, the oft-predicted industry consolidation has not emerged. Although underlying revenue growth in the MSS market has remained relatively healthy through the worst of the recession, a radical increase in industry revenues will be needed if all of the new systems are to provide a return on investment for their investors. We've already seen some investments in ICO (now DBSD) being written off. Is this a sign of things to come in 2010, or will a mass market for MSS solutions emerge to deliver the growth that operators are seeking? Will demand for ATC spectrum re-emerge, and if so, who will be first to secure a strategic partnership with a leading wireless operator? In the meantime, who will provide the capital that operators are seeking and which of the operators will be best positioned to deliver new services? Hear from the industry's CEOs about what they expect for the future. [more] |
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Creating a Mass Market for MSS: The Role of MSS Equipment Providers |
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For the last thirty years, a small number of equipment vendors have dominated the MSS marketplace. However, over the last 18 months, several satellite operators have forged agreements with Qualcomm and Infineon to incorporate satellite connectivity into mass market next generation cellular chipsets. This development has the potential to shake-up the MSS equipment market, as low cost chipsets become more readily available for a wide range of applications. How will this affect the position of both existing MSS equipment vendors and potential new entrants to this market? Where and when will we see these new products? Will new, more attractive handsets reverse the recent decline in handheld MSS revenues and lead to a resumption of growth? Will the introduction of satellite-cellular roaming services lead to increased consumer demand for MSS? In this session, leading equipment suppliers will discuss how they plan to make the most of this opportunity and what the benefits will be for end users. [more] |
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COTM: More Versatile Packages |
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Mobile deployable communications are an essential part of any DoD mission. Satellite technology providers are continually pressed to deliver their offerings with more portability, versatility and mobility. Through all of this, one thing is clear: Comms-On-The-Move is here to stay. While initial adoption of the capability was slower than some experts had predicted, COTM today is firmly entrenched as an arrow in the quiver of satellite-enabled communications for military, emergency, and other applications. This panel addresses the current requirements and future needs from those on the frontlines, and will answer questions regarding future needs in terms of bandwidth, hardware, and software. [more] |
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Public Safety and Homeland Security Applications |
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Mobile Satellite Services have played a leading role in the response to disasters both in the US and overseas and first responders are a key source of revenue for both existing and new MSS operators. How will use of MSS be changed by the introduction of new capabilities, such as higher speed data communications and dual mode devices? Will the 700MHz D-block eventually provide the impetus to develop wider awareness and use of MSS services within the public safety community? This panel will examine the requirements of first responders and what MSS providers must do to expand this market in the future. [more] |
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Developing the Next Generation of Satellite Tracking Solutions |
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After years of being confined largely to the commercial vehicle and GMDSS safety markets, satellite tracking solutions are emerging in a myriad of new applications, including heavy equipment and fixed asset monitoring, military Blue Force Tracking, flight following, LRIT and personal tracking. Smaller, lower cost chipsets are making satellite connectivity an increasingly attractive proposition, but it still only commands a tiny fraction of the overall Machine-To-Machine (M2M) market. Will satellite M2M be able to break out into a mass market, perhaps in applications such as consumer telematics? Is the cost of satellite capacity still a major constraint? What is the size of the personal tracking opportunity pioneered by Globalstar's SPOT satellite tracker? What will be the impact of new mass market chipsets, such as those being developed by Qualcomm and Infineon? Hear from leading M2M providers about their expectations for the future and how users will benefit from these developments. [more] |
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VSAT and MSS Go Head-to-Head: What's Next for Maritime Broadband? |
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Competition between Inmarsat and mobile VSAT solutions has become even more intense over the last year as potential customers in the maritime sector have been impacted by the recession. Now providers must not only offer to improve data connectivity, but also justify the investment in terms of future savings, whether in terms of reduced data communications costs or increased efficiencies that can offer an immediate ROI. Nevertheless, Inmarsat has achieved a remarkably successful launch for Fleet Broadband despite tough conditions for the maritime industry. Can Inmarsat maintain its leading position in maritime connectivity? Will major maritime VSAT providers such as Marlink, Caprock and MTN start to consolidate a fragmented market? How are new competitors such as KVH and Iridium faring in their efforts to establish a sustainable revenue stream from new broadband data services? The key players will discuss all these new developments in maritime broadband connectivity. [more] |
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The Future of MSS: Views from the Front Lines |
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This session will examine current and future MSS markets from the perspective of individuals that have had long and extensive business relationships directly with the user community. Together the panelists represent organizations addressing a major portion of the total MSS market. They will share their perspective on the current state of the market and the prospects for existing and proposed new services over the next three to five years. What will be the long term impact of mobile C and Ku band, integrated satellite/terrestrial (ATC), and the continued expansion and enhancement of terrestrial services? How will the structure of distribution channels evolve to market these new services and serve new market requirements? What applications will be driving demand? Our panelists will address these issues and respond to your questions at this session. [more] |
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What's Next for Mobile Satellite Industry |
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In the wake of the XM-Sirius merger, attention has now turned to the possibility of consolidation in the MSS sector. At last year's MSS CEO panel, only Robert Brumley of TerreStar was prepared to venture that there might be less CEOs participating in the session next year. However, we have already seen the announcement of a possible attempt to combine SkyTerra and Inmarsat this year, and meanwhile Inmarsat has applied to the FCC for permission to take over Stratos in April 2009. However, MSS operators have continued to raise additional funding through 2008 despite extraordinarily difficult financial market conditions. Will this be enough to see them through the challenges and costs of launching new services, or will additional mergers prove to be the best way forward in 2009 and beyond? Hear from the industry's CEOs as they talk about what's gone right and what hasn't for MSS over the last year and what changes they expect in 2009. [more] |
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Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC): The Magic Bullet? |
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In 2008 we will see new North American MSS satellites launched by both ICO and TerreStar, whose funding was predicated on the value of their spectrum assets and the expectation that Ancillary Terrestrial Components (ATCs) would enable this value to be realized. ICO and TerreStar are taking different approaches to the market, with ICO focusing initially on delivering mobile video services to cars, and TerreStar on enabling interoperable first responder communications via its 4G wireless chipset. Mobile Satellite Ventures is following close behind, with its ongoing WiMAX trial and satellite launches set for 2009/10. However, all three of the companies need to raise more money to launch full commercial services and pay for their ground spare satellites. This panel session will discuss how regulators will view these new services, what benefits will be realized by end users, and, most importantly, which of the three approaches will deliver the greatest value to investors. [more] |
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Delivering Broadband Anywhere: The Next Generation of Mobile Satellite Communications |
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Broadband demand from mobile platforms is surging, with deployment of new MSS and mobile VSAT technologies on ships, trains and planes set to generate hundreds of millions of dollars over the next few years. Inmarsat's land-based BGAN service, introduced in 2006, has achieved far wider use than any of Inmarsat's previous generations of high speed data terminals, and its maritime and aeronautical variants are set for launch in late 2007. However, increasing attention is also being paid to mobile VSATs, whose cheaper bandwidth can offset their more expensive terminal costs. Despite the failure of Connexion, satellite operators are pushing forward with maritime Ku-band coverage, and equipment manufacturers are developing smaller terminals. Further competition is expected in 2008 from Iridium's new broadband maritime terminal. Who will come out on top? Can Inmarsat's recent rapid growth continue, or will its dominant market position be eroded? Hear from all the leading players about their expectations for the next generation of satellite-delivered mobile broadband. [more] |
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General Session: Mobile Satellite Services: MSS Industry Leaders Stake Their Claims |
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MSS operators in 2008 will have to deliver on their promises of innovative new capabilities which can address a much wider market than the niches MSS has served to date. With the launch of ICO and TerreStar's new satellites, we will see whether ATC really is the magic bullet that has attracted so much attention on Wall Street. Virtually all players need to raise more financing to fund their business plans. Will the markets cooperate, or is the cycle of bankruptcies we saw in late 1990s doomed to repeat itself? Hear what the CEOs have to say about their plans, and why they believe in the future of MSS. [more] |
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Mobile TV: The Role for Satellites in an Increasingly Hybrid, Multimedia World |
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Through initial success of S-DMB services in Korea and usage of satellite capacity to distribute mobile content, satellite players are turning their attention to emerging mobile multimedia distribution models. Now, the pending launch of S-band capacity in Europe, recent ratification of DVB-SH, trials between broadband wireless providers and ATC players, and a greater volume of satellite deals to backhaul mobile video content all point to an industry poised to break away from hype and show real revenue. This panel will explore the growth opportunities for mobile video via satellite, in all distribution models, and identify how satellite companies will benefit from this multimedia application. [more] |
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Satellites Serving the Public Interest: Safety, Security and Service |
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Mobile Satellite Services have played a leading role in the response to disasters both in the US and overseas. The FCC has also cited the need for emergency backup communications provided by MSS as a key factor in justifying ATC authorizations and has even mandated the inclusion of satellite capability in terminals for the new 700MHz public-private partnership. European regulators have also highlighted the role that new 2GHz MSS networks could play in emergency response. This panel will examine the requirements of first responders and what MSS providers must do to expand this market in the future. [more] |
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SATELLITE 2008 Conference Proceedings CD-Rom |
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The SATELLITE 2008 Conference Proceedings CD-Rom includes the audio and PowerPoint presentations from every session in the conference. It also includes a complete exhibitor list with links so you can contact the 270 exhibitors of SATELLITE 2008 directly.
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SATELLITE 2007 Conference Proceedings CD-Rom |
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The SATELLITE 2007 Conference Proceedings CD-Rom includes the audio and PowerPoint presentations from every session in the conference. It also includes a complete exhibitor list with links so you can contact the 270 exhibitors of SATELLITE 2007 directly. [more] |
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SATELLITE 2006 Conference Proceedings CD-Rom |
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The SATELLITE 2006 Conference Proceedings CD-Rom includes the audio and PowerPoint presentations from every session in the conference. It also includes a complete exhibitor list with links so you can contact the 240 exhibitors of SATELLITE 2006 directly. [more] |
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