In a study released today, Northern Sky Research forecasts the demand for commercial satellite capacity will grow by 4.8 percent per year, with the direct-to-home satellite market and high-definition channel broadcasts driving the growth. Northern Sky said, on a global basis, the number of leased C-band and Ku-band 36 MHz transponder equivalents will increase from 4,058 in 2003 to nearly 5,383 in 2009. The commercial transponder-lease global revenues are expected to pass $8.3 billion in 2009.

For more information on this study, please visit http://www.northernskyresearch.com.