Satellite Broadband

This market report provides a complete overview of two-way satellite broadband access in Europe and North Africa. After examining why this application is back in the news, the report provides an analysis of competition with existing and future terrestrial technologies, explores the developments that have taken place in North America and Asia over the past few years and describes the likely shape of things to come in Europe and North Africa. And, finally, it examines the target markets for satellite broadband, and offers possible positioning scenarios for satellite operators.

Key Questions

• Why is two-way satellite access back on the table?
• What advantages are there to using the Ka band?
• In what areas can satellite expect to complement/rival terrestrial technologies?
• What is the outlook for broadband satellite in Europe and North Africa?
• What are the market drivers and the issues involved in structuring the offer?
• What market positions hold the greatest potential for satellite operators?

1. Introduction

2. Can satellite be a key technology for providing end-user access?

2.1. Features of two-way access

2.1.1. How it works

2.1.2. Technical specificities tied to use of the Ka band

2.1.3. Economic advantages of using the Ka band

2.1.4. Increasingly competitive commercial offers

2.1.5. Latency not a major obstacle

2.2. A technology back in the news

2.2.1. In North America

2.2.2. In Asia

2.2.3. In Europe

3. Competition from terrestrial technologies

3.1. Wireline technologies still dominate but wireless broadband making strides

3.1.1. Massive dominance of wireline systems: xDSL and cable modem

3.1.2. Market development

3.1.3. Wireless cellular network technologies

3.1.4. Alternative wireless technologies: Wi-Fi and WiMAX

3.1.5. Market development

3.2. Outlook for new generation ultra-fast broadband technologies

3.2.1. Fibre optic and FTTH

3.2.2. Future of mobile solutions and 4G

4. Satellite’s competitiveness

4.1. Technological competitiveness

4.2. An efficient solution for reducing the digital divide

5. Market segmentation criteria

5.1. Socioeconomic criteria

5.1.1. PC penetration rate

5.1.2. GDP per capita

5.1.3. Rural/urban population density

5.2. Features of a terrestrial broadband rollout

5.2.1. DSL network coverage

5.2.2. Broadband penetration

5.2.3. Internet access speeds

5.2.4. Internet access prices

5.3. Criteria shaping the development of satellite TV

5.3.1. Satellite dish equipment

5.3.2. Satellite pay-TV penetration

5.4. Main challenges and uncertainties

5.4.1. Tied to the development of wireline networks

5.4.2. Tied to the development of wireless networks

5.4.3. Tied to the TV market structure

5.4.4. Tied to government involvement

6. Target markets with varying features

6.1. Characterisation of satellite target markets

6.2. Positioning strategies by zone

6.2.1. Strategic options open to satellite operators

6.2.2. Suitability of the different strategic options according to the geographical zone being targeted

6.2.3. Synthesis

Glossary