Satellite Operators Show Gains in Commercial and Operational Performance in WTA’s 2018 Satellite Operator Benchmarks Report

The 2018 survey reports on eight global and regional satellite operators: Arabsat, AsiaSat, Eutelsat, Hispasat, Intelsat, Measat, SES and Telesat. Among key findings was a general reduction in satellite capacity purchases and even larger decrease in spending, reflecting continued price erosion for GEO services. Overall teleport operators rated the commercial performance of satellite operators 4% better and their operational performance 2% better than the previous year, and 14% better in both categories since 2014.

The Benchmarks study got its start from concerns among teleport operators about direct competition from their satellite vendors for managed service business. In 2018, satellite operators varied in the degree of direct competition, according to respondents. Five of eight were cited by 50% or more of teleport operators as direct competitors. Respondents saw less competitive threat, however, from regional operators in 2018 than in the past but saw a pattern of rising competitive threat from the global operators.

“Over the past five years, the satellite operators covered by the Benchmarks reports have made double-digit gains in their commercial and operational performance, as viewed by teleport operators,” said WTA executive director and report author Robert Bell. “That was what we hoped to accomplish when we launched the Benchmarks project in 2011, and it is gratifying to see our satellite operator partners responding to the data we provide.”

WTA members can access the report at no cost by signing in to their accounts on the WTA Website. Non-members can purchase the report for US$1,650.

About World Teleport Association 
Since 1985, the World Teleport Association (www.worldteleport.org) has focused on improving the business of satellite communications from the ground up. At the core of its membership are the world’s most innovative operators of teleports, from independents to multinationals, niche service providers to global carriers. WTA is dedicated to advocating for the interests of teleport operators in the global telecommunications market and promoting excellence in teleport business practice, technology and operations.