Telecom Megaconstellations - Review 2023 and Outlook

What to expect

The past year, 2023, witnessed significant developments in the telecom constellations industry, including advancements in the deployment of constellation programmes amidst notable bottlenecks in the supply chain, massive-scale mergers between operators, initial exploration of LEO-GEO options, rising Direct-to-Cell and low-cost Internet-of-Things services alongside a growing interest in quantum algorithms for cybersecure communications in space. 

In this whitepaper, we…

• provide insight into the telecom satellite industry since its early days in the 60s 

• review the initial First Wave of LEO constellations 

• study in-depth the main players of the current Second Wave, aiming to offer commercially viable solutions for ubiquitous connectivity over all types of remote geographical areas.

A review of the current commercial telecom constellation landscape is assessed with a special focus on the procurement strategies for the programmes of the main stakeholders in satellite connectivity, satellite telephony, air and maritime traffic and tracking services as well as positioning services. Pivotal factors for the proliferation of telecom constellations in the upcoming years are also presented, naming interoperability and new frontiers, new business models, services, technologies and launchers as well as significant institutional, governmental, and regulatory factors.