Petroc Taylor
Research expert covering global developments in the use of data
Satellite connectivity - statistics & facts
From far-flung islands to conflict zones, satellite services offer connectivity where traditional networks fall short. Long associated with broadcast and specialist research applications, innovation in the satellite sector has seen leading operators become key players amid the most pressing global issues, with the satellite services industry generating over 110 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. As demand grows for anytime, anywhere connectivity, the expanding satellite internet market has spurred a rapid increase in the number of satellites in orbit. SpaceX’s Starlink and Eutelsat Oneweb have emerged as the leading operational services, while Amazon has begun building its own constellation named “Project Kuiper”.
The Starlink constellation continues to grow
Satellite internet services rely on extensive constellations of small satellites in what’s termed Low Earth Orbit (LEO). LEO satellites orbit just hundreds of kilometers above earth – far closer than those in geostationary orbit – with this proximity allowing high-speed broadband to be delivered with low latency. Starlink maintained by far the most extensive satellite constellation as of late 2024, with SpaceX accounting for almost half of the approximately 13,300 satellites in orbit. Despite the relative affordability of LEO launches, a drastic increase in launch frequency saw satellite launch industry revenues increase to 7.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2023.Eutelsat merges with OneWeb to keep pressure on Starlink
The staggering growth of the Starlink constellation has sparked strong competition among new and established players in the satellite market. In September 2023, the shareholders of French firm Eutelsat, which generated 1.2 billion euros in revenue in its 2024 financial year, voted to approve a merger with London-based OneWeb. OneWeb, which faced bankruptcy as recently as 2020, is Starlink’s closest competitor, with 648 satellites as of late 2024. Meanwhile, Amazon is moving ahead with Project Kuiper, gaining the required approval from the United States Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to create a broadband satellite constellation of 3,236 satellites.Satellite internet unlikely to bridge the digital divide in the short term
With the leading players lining up launches at pace, satellite customers can expect to soon benefit from a broader choice of services. Despite this, it remains to be seen as to whether the affordability of these services will present a serious challenge to mobile and fixed alternatives. While some analysts emphasize satellite internet’s potential to bridge the digital divide in remote and developing regions, services like Starlink are unlikely to offer a viable solution in the near future.
