Starlink drives NGSO dominance in maritime satcom market: Novaspace
Novaspace, a space consulting and market intelligence firm, has published the 13th edition of its Prospects for Maritime Satellite Communications report, offering an in-depth look at the key developments driving the evolution of this dynamic sector. The report outlines a fundamental transformation underway in maritime connectivity, fueled by the widespread adoption of non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) systems and the disruptive impact of players like Starlink.
According to Novaspace, the number of vessels using satellite communications is projected to climb to 125,000 by 2034. As this market expands, the industry's dependence on traditional geostationary orbit (GEO) capacity is set to decline sharply. The report highlights a growing shift in primary bandwidth usage from GEO to NGSO systems, with NGSO capacity expected to surge from 286 Gbps in 2024 to 2 Tbps by the end of the decademarking a sevenfold increase.
Vishal Patil, Project Manager at Novaspace, said: 'This major shift was already visible in 2024 as Starlink made its mark on the market. Starlink disrupted the maritime satcom market via its official service launch, influencing the direction of the market in almost every way. They can certainly expect to continue enjoying their first-mover advantage, at least in the short-term.'
As a result, NGSOs share of total satellite capacity used in maritime applications is expected to grow from 85% in 2024 to about 98% by 2034. NGSO-based service revenues are also forecast to dominate the market, capturing 93% of revenues by the end of the decade. While NGSO platforms are rapidly overtaking GEO in capacity and services, Novaspace underscores that GEO systems will not become obsolete. Major vessel operators remain cautious about relying exclusively on NGSO solutions, opting instead for hybrid connectivity strategies that combine GEO and NGSO networksreshaping the competitive landscape and introducing new market dynamics.
Looking forward, Novaspace projects that service revenues in the maritime satcom market will reach $3.3bn by 2034, supported by both rising demand and increases in some average revenue per user (ARPU) rates. While the past year saw operators renegotiating and streamlining contracts to manage rising connectivity costs, Novaspace expects pricing trends to stabilise as ownership costs decline and new standards take hold. With demand for maritime connectivity surging and satellite capabilities rapidly evolving, the firm emphasises that service providers must recalibrate their strategies to remain competitive in a fast-changing market.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Broadcast Pro
12 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Starlink launches satellite internet service in Chad to boost connectivity
The governments backing of Starlink highlights its belief that the technology can bypass traditional infrastructure barriers limiting internet access in Chads remote areas. Starlink has begun operations in Chad after completing the licensing process and updating its availability map to include the Central African nation. The company announced the launch on X. The post read: 'Starlink's high-speed internet is now available in Chad, marking the 24th country, territory or market in Africa where Starlink is available.' Chad granted Starlink an operating license in November 2023, paving the way for the rollout of its low-Earth orbit satellite service in a country where internet connectivity remains extremely limited. Starlinks expansion into Chad is part of a broader effort to address low internet penetration across Africa, where only 40% of the continents 1.3bn residents are onlinethe lowest rate in the world. The service has already launched in multiple countries, including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Benin, South Sudan, Eswatini and Sierra Leone. In 2025, Starlink secured operating licenses in Somalia and Lesotho and went live in Liberia and Niger. Despite this rapid growth, Starlink continues to encounter regulatory hurdles in some markets. In South Africa, the continents most developed economy, the service remains unavailable due to outstanding licensing and compliance challenges.
Broadcast Pro
2 days ago
- Broadcast Pro
Paratus launches EduLINK to bring Starlink internet to African schools
Through Paratus EduLINK, schools gain access to online learning, teacher training, digital assessments and collaborative projects, driving educational advancement and greater inclusion. Paratus Group, the pan-African telecommunications provider and authorised Starlink reseller, has unveiled Paratus EduLINK, a new connectivity initiative aimed at bringing high-speed internet to schools in underserved and remote areas across Africa. Under the campaign message Empowering Education, Anywhere, the programme aspires to make digital learning accessible to students regardless of where they live. EduLINK leverages Starlinks Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology to bypass the longstanding infrastructure challenges that have limited internet access in isolated communities. The service will initially be available in Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda and Zambia. Schools holding a recognised Education Certificate can qualify for the package, which provides 2TB of Priority Data each month along with a generous buffer to maintain uninterrupted learning. The rollout includes the Standard Starlink Kitsold separately and installed by professionalsand is supported by local assistance, flexible payment options within each country, and dedicated customer care, a crucial component for institutions in regions with limited technical resources. This effort builds on Paratus extensive experience supporting digital education, most notably through a seven-year collaboration with Eduvision in Namibia. That partnership, which relied on geostationary satellite infrastructure, has reached over 12,000 students and 471 teachers, demonstrating clear improvements in engagement and academic performance. Paratus EduLINK is not just about connectivity, its about creating equal access to education, said Barney Harmse, Executive Chairman of Paratus Group. EduLINK joins a growing wave of initiatives across Africa that use high-speed satellite networks to close the digital divide in education. Other notable efforts include Intelsats partnership with the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative to expand learning opportunities in East Africa; NigComSats EdTech Solutions programme in Nigeria; POULSATs collaboration with Eutelsat to connect schools in North Africa; and Avantis Project iMlango, which supplies high-speed internet to rural Kenyan classrooms using the HYLAS 2 Ka-band satellite. Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate the transformative role of satellite connectivity in delivering quality education to communities that have historically been left behind, underscoring a continent-wide movement to leverage space-based infrastructure for educational inclusion.
Arabian Post
5 days ago
- Arabian Post
Parliamentary Vote Outlaws Starlink in Iran
Iran's parliament has passed legislation criminalising the use, operation or possession of Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet system, citing concerns over national security and unauthorised communications. The bill now awaits approval from the Guardian Council before becoming enforceable law. Authorities warn that penalties may include hefty fines, imprisonment and even corporal punishment. The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology contends that unlicensed satellite networks threaten sovereignty and could facilitate hostile interference. This move follows a national internet shutdown in mid‑June during escalating hostilities with Israel, which led to a dramatic drop in connectivity. Starlink was reactivated across Iran by SpaceX to restore access amid the blackout, triggering alarm among officials. ADVERTISEMENT Estimates suggest that some 20,000 to 40,000 terminals remain operational in the country, obtained and distributed through underground markets. Iranian official sources describe the technology as a tool used by 'hostile actors' to bypass regulatory oversight. For digital rights campaigners, the newly passed law exemplifies the government's growing clampdown on online freedom. A spokesperson for Access Now described the legislation as part of a wider strategy to entrench digital authoritarianism. SpaceX has not released an official statement in response to the parliamentary vote. Elon Musk previously confirmed that Starlink had been 'activated' in Iran to counter the blackout during the Israel‑Iran conflict earlier this month. History shows this is not Iran's first attempt to limit access to foreign communications channels. The country has previously restricted VPNs, messaging apps and social‑media platforms in attempts to forestall dissent. The government also lodged a formal complaint with the International Telecommunication Union in 2023, claiming SpaceX violated domestic regulations by providing unsanctioned service.
