World Space Business Week: Satellite Industry Faces Transformation Amidst Competition from SpaceX’s Starlink

The satellite industry is undergoing a profound shift as major operators consolidate in response to the growing competition from SpaceX’s Starlink. During the operator panel at the World Space Business Week in Paris on September  16, Viasat CEO Mark Dankberg described the current landscape as a “quantum period of change,” unlike anything he has witnessed in his four decades in the industry. Viasat is at the forefront of this consolidation, having acquired Inmarsat last year.

Dankberg highlighted the progress in integrating Viasat and Inmarsat, emphasizing the significance of access to the L-band spectrum as a tool for the direct-to-device (D2D) market. He noted that demand in the commercial sector remains robust, with user demand growing by 20 to 30 percent annually. However, he pointed out that traditional supply chains are struggling to keep pace with the need for multi-orbit and multi-band capabilities.

On the defense front, Dankberg emphasized the increasing recognition by nation-states of the critical role space plays in border control and other national issues. He described space as a “shared but fragile domain,” with countries seeking both participation and control in this arena.

Intelsat CEO David Wajsgras acknowledged the intensifying competition among satellite operators but saw this as an opportunity to focus on customer needs. He noted a significant rise in demand for bandwidth across all verticals, especially in land mobility, government, and defense sectors. Wajsgras previewed a forthcoming multi-year deal between Intelsat and a telecommunications company, signaling a broader strategy to work across multiple sectors. He remains optimistic about the future of the industry, highlighting the importance of scale and multi-orbit solutions.

Telesat, which is advancing its Lightspeed Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation, recently secured financing from the governments of Canada and Quebec. CEO Dan Goldberg informed the panel that Telesat is making significant strides in executing the next phase of Lightspeed, with manufacturer MDA Space ramping up its supply chain. Goldberg stressed that while building a high-quality network is essential, having the right distribution channels to serve customers is equally important. Telesat is targeting enterprise markets, including telecommunications companies, ISPs, and the maritime and government sectors.

Goldberg also discussed the evolving satellite ecosystem, noting that customers demand high throughput, security, and resilience at a lower cost but prefer to avoid relying on a single operator. He believes that customers want multiple options and emphasizes the need for competition in the market.

Eutelsat CEO Eva Berneke focused on the growing demand for sovereign capacity and the significance of the IRIS² program in Europe. She highlighted the importance of avoiding siloed technology stacks and fostering a robust ecosystem of suppliers, viewing IRIS² as a key driver for this change. Berneke also noted that advancements in satellite technology have led to more dynamic discussions with telecommunications companies.

EchoStar CEO Hamid Akhavan added that there is substantial potential for greater satellite penetration, likening the current trajectory of the satellite industry to that of the mobile industry during the rise of 5G. He emphasized the potential for open systems to interconnect, creating significant opportunities for the satellite sector.

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