Higher Throughput = New Business Opportunities

“…while NSR accepts that most in the satellite sector are cognizant that these new satellites are finally here and part of the market, NSR would contend that only a small minority have truly grasped the long-term significance of these satellites and how they have the potential to change every aspect of the market. Just as the move from C-band to Ku-band in the 1980s brought profound (and many unforeseen) shifts in the satellite market, so too will these high throughput satellites."

In their report “Broadband Satellite Services, 8th Edition: A Worldwide Analysis of Industry Trends & Market Forecasts from 2008-2018”, Northern Sky Research (NSR) has predicted the significant impact that they expect the advent of High Throughout Satellites (HTS) to have upon the satellite industry. In fact, they go so far as to describe this as a ‘paradigm shift’ and believe that these satellites will introduce a plethora of new business opportunities to the satellite market that will ultimately re-define its role.

So what exactly is a High Throughput Satellite? In a nutshell, it is a great deal more powerful and more efficient. NSR defines this as a satellite that can achieve twice as much, or more, total throughout than a traditional FSS satellite for the same amount of allocated spectrum. This kind of throughput obviously opens the door on a new world of satellite business.

The emerging applications of today such as video, VoIP and peer-to-peer networking, are bandwidth-hungry and these high-power satellites are already in use both in commercial and military circles but, as time goes by, we are sure to see a glut of HTS satellites launched to meet bandwidth demand. New satellites such as Viasat-1, scheduled for launch in the first half of 2011and Ka-Sat from Eutelsat, due to be launched in 2010 are bound to have a major impact on the delivery of services. The use of Ka-band spot beams is a feature generally associated with HTS as they enable service providers to lower the cost-per-bit associated with delivering a satellite service. The role of Ka-band will continue to become more significant as this demand for higher throughput continues.

Although it is widely assumed that HTS satellites are typically to be used to deliver satellite broadband, it is not the only application that can be effectively delivered by HTS. In fact, there are many applications – some we perhaps are not even aware of yet – that will benefit greatly from these next-generation satellite platforms. For example, NSR have identified VSAT services, broadcasting (SNG, DTH), IPTV and even ‘micro broadcasting’ where content is tailored and delivered to a specific city or region. It seems that the growth of HTS and the applications they can support will be organic and will become identified as they become more established. Going on NSR’s comments, it certainly appears that this new era of higher throughput will be one to watch and perhaps will force the satellite industry to re-evaluate itself as its capabilities expand even further. A generation of satellites that can offer lower costs and greater business opportunities is surely not going to be underestimated by the industry for very long!

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