10Meters News Service

July 13, 2001 – A new report on the future of the broadband satellite market sees a silver lining for developing IP and content services.

Released by Northern Sky Research and titled "Broadband Satellite Markets: A Comprehensive Analysis of Trends and Opportunities," the report finds that satellite services are "still poised for long-term growth."

Primary areas driving that optimism: a variety of IP applications and the global market for multicasting and content delivery services, said Christopher Baugh, the report's author and founder of Northern Sky Research.

"While the satellite market is not immune from problems currently faced by the entire telecommunications sector, satellite players are now building business models from the ground-up based on the inherent benefits of satellite technology," said Baugh.

"Multicasting, global coverage and ubiquity of service will be the core advantaged for satellite companies to leverage as they target lucrative access and content markets," he said.

According to the report, the global market for broadband satellite access services is forecasted to rise from $330 million in 2001 to $12.43 billion in 2006.

The global market for multicasting and content delivery services via satellite will also experience sizable growth, according to the report, which forecasts that the satellite multicasting and content delivery market will grow from $160 million in 2001 to $3.079 billion in 2006.

The caveat to the optimistic viewpoint, however, is targeted development. Notes Baugh, "the supply of satellite services, coupled with sound business models will ultimately determine the size of the broadband satellite market."

"Rolling out two-way access and value-added content distribution solutions will be essential to satisfy demand and generate revenue," he said.

Information on the report is available at www.northernskyresearch.com. Northern Sky Research, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an international market research and consulting firm specializing in broadband technology and Internet applications. Areas of expertise include satellite technology, cable and wireless networks and content/new media markets.

Satellite operators, service providers and equipment vendors/manufacturers profiled in the report: Air TV Ltd., AIRIA, Akamai, Aloha Networks, AlphaStar/SkyCrossing, American Multiplexer Corporation, AsiaSat/SpeedCast, Boeing, British Telecom Broadcast Services, BroadLogic, Cidera, COMSAT Mobile Communications, Connexion by Boeing, Digital Island, DirecPC- Hughes Network Systems, EchoStar Data Networks, EMS Technologies Inc., Enron Broadband Services, Europe Online, Europe*Star, Eutelsat, GE Americom, Gilat Satellite Networks, Gilat/Spacenet, Global Convergence Technology, GlobeCast, Harmonic Data Systems, Helius, Hughes Network Systems, iBEAM, iDirect, In-Flight Network, InfoLibria, Inktomi, Inmarsat, Intelsat, International Datacasting Corp., IP Planet, Ipricot, Irdeto Access, KenCast, Kingston MediaStream, LMGT, Logic Innovations, Loral Cyberstar, Mentat, Microspace Communications, Multicast Media, NDS, Nera, NetSat Express, New Skies Satellites, Norsat International Inc., OrbLynx, PanAmSat, Radyne ComStream, Raytheon, ReliaCast, SCM Microsystems, SES-Global / Kokua Communications, SkyStream Networks, Space Communications Corporation, SpaceBridge, SSE Telecom, StarBand, StarOne, STM Wireless, Tachyon, Telesat Canada, Tenzing Communications, Terayon, Thomcast, Verestar, ViaCast, ViaSat, Vipersat Networks, WildBlue, Williams Vyvx, Xantic.