2017 SPECIAL
Enabling operators to make the most of HTS opportunities :
A new software release for Newtec Dialog , a multi-service satellite communications platform , is equipped with features designed with HTS innovations in mind , including DVB-S2X on the forward link , Layer 2 bridging and a protocol to enable communication with antenna control units for beam switching .
Euroconsult estimates current HTS systems ( numbering nearly 100 ) to be worth in excess of $ 17 billion , with another 123 HTS systems to be launched over the next decade .
Projecting these figures in the High Throughput Satellites : Vertical market analysis and forecasts report released last March , Euroconsult expects the global HTS capacity supply to more than quadruple from 680Gbps in 2015 to nearly 3Tbps by 2020 . In terms of market value , HTS capacity lease revenues are predicted to jump from $ 1.1 billion in 2015 to more than $ 4.9 billion by 2024 , generating more than $ 26 billion in aggregate revenues over the period .
While mainstream broadcasting is likely to remain on conventional wide beam satellites , specific applications within this market might find HTS to be advantageous , said Sjoerd De Clerck , vice-president , sales , Newtec .
Describing a trend towards multi-service networks , he said : “ The increasing consumption of content on any device , at any time , forces broadcasters to exchange content in various , sometimes multiple , formats across different transmission channels .”
With its ability to provide multiple , polarisation / frequency diverse , contiguous , narrow spot beams with Ka- and Kuband footprints , HTS offers broadcasters the opportunity to deliver specific content to specified viewers , in turn addressing the demand for personalised content , added De Clerck .
HTS , as with any emerging technology , will be faced with certain constraints . In Asia-Pacific , because of spectral limitations and licensing regimes , HTS services are predominately provisioned in either Ku- or Ka-band . This , in itself , spawns expensive ground segment hubs at multiplegateway sites to counter the complexities and effects of rain fade , a particularly pertinent issue in the region .
On the other hand , HTS will allow operators to maximise spectrum re-use and increase satellite throughput .
It will , however , not replace wide beam C-band in Asia- Pacific , or at least not for the foreseeable future , suggested Tan Tian Seng , director of product and marketing at Singtel Satellite . “ Wide beam C-band is still very popular in Asia , [ because ] it allows for wide area coverage , and is extremely
resilient to severe weather conditions like heavy rain .”
And while Asian viewers are proving to be one of the most eager consumers of mobile content , Tan also correctly pointed out how direct-to-home ( DTH ) remains one of the most effective platforms to reach out to large and otherwise underserved populations across Asia-Pacific .
Asia – a land of opportunities Besides continuing to serve as a highly efficient delivery platform , DTH is also supporting a highly lucrative market in Asia .
The cumulative revenue for the satellite communications ( Satcom ) ground infrastructure equipment market will surpass the $ 12-billion mark in the decade from 2015- 2025 ; Asia , in particular , will present the largest market opportunity currently and over the long-term , reports NSR .
Unit shipments of DTH receivers in Asia will grow at a CAGR level of 8.1 %, with 2015 ’ s market base of 12 million growing to surpass the 26-million mark by 2025 .
Lluc Palerm , senior analyst at NSR , elaborated : “ DTH is the largest market where cumulative unit shipments will total 206 million .
“ Growing demand in key markets such as Indonesia will drive growth boosted by the growing number of pay-TV households and rising income levels .”
In revenue terms , the Asian Satcom market will register cumulative revenues of $ 27.2 billion from 2015-2025 . This surge will be mainly driven by DTH , which will account for $ 19.9 billion , due to the “ sheer volume ” of DTH terminals to be shipped in this time frame .
Satellite operators and service providers are apparently recognising the potential opportunities in Asia-Pacific . Eutelsat , for instance , is continuing to scale up operations in the region .
In April this year , the Eutelsat 172B satellite will be launched as a long-term replacement for Eutelsat 172A . Hosting a C-band , Ku-band and HTS payload , Eutelsat 172B will provide more capacity and coverage , extending reach in China and Pacific Islands .
With more than 200 Asian channels — whether in SD ,
2 An Supplement