The research firm Analysys Mason recently shared some of their takeaways from the Satellite 2025 conference in a recent Satellite Today article. Some points they raised include sovereign access to space, satellite integration into the telecom infrastructure, and market strategies for traditional GEO and MEO operators.
We expand on some of those takeaways below.
Clear case for sovereign access to space
The recent and massive shifts in the geopolitical environment are causing governments to look more intensely at national security requirements in space. We always believed these requirements were significant. Countries are increasing their defense spending and looking to diversify the allied governments and service providers they work with to protect their national security interests in space.
All around the world, there seems to be a greater focus on ensuring a diversity of suppliers that can bring space architectures to market. For example, IRIS² will be a vital asset in providing sovereign space access in Europe.
Another scenario for sovereign-like access is Telesat’s highly flexible capacity pool offering. This offering can be regional or global, and customers can download data to their own Private Access Station (PAS). A customer’s data can remain entirely within the Telesat Lightspeed network from source to destination, never transiting a public network.
This allows a government to act as its own virtual network manager, with the ability to activate, configure, and modify satellite connectivity to users and platforms in real-time. Stringent committed information rates and service-level guarantees would back this access.
More choices for access promise a more secure future in space for all allied nations.
Satellite’s inclusion in the telecom ecosystem
Analysys calls this crucial for the industry to thrive, and we couldn’t agree more. 5G is an accelerating technology trend driving satellite and telco networks together. A transformative move is using non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), such as LEO satellites, which will be fully integrated into terrestrial networks to create hybrid terrestrial/non-terrestrial 5G mobile infrastructures to serve enterprises and consumers. Enterprise-class LEO networks can create “virtual fiber” networks that can reach any point globally.
Telesat Lightspeed will be certified to MEF 3.0 standards for carrier Ethernet connectivity, ensuring easy integration, and leverage MEF Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) APIs to automate back-office business and operations processes between Telesat and the carrier, enabling service providers to accelerate revenues and offer a differentiated customer experience. Additionally, service providers can land traffic in-country or in-region, allowing complete control of their data.
Design for real DoD needs
Analysys Mason makes the point that stringent DoD requirements often translate into expense and complexity that isn’t required for the mission. This is changing as the DoD increasingly sees the benefits of incorporating commercial SATCOM technology into its space architecture. This acceptance can be seen in developments like the proliferated low-Earth-orbit (PLEO) contracting vehicle and the Space Development Agency’s Optical Communications Terminal Standards for achieving space-to-space interoperability with commercial systems.
To further the adoption of commercial technology, the DoD could look to update its definition of “inherently governmental” functions in space – determining what the Government needs to retain full ownership of versus what commercial technology can deliver better, faster, and more economically.
This aligns with General Saltzman’s, the Chief of Space Operations, “exploit what we have, buy what we can, and only build what we must” strategy in space. Regarding commercial capabilities, the government should purchase existing commercial space communications technology wherever and whenever possible. And it should only build custom military space systems when absolutely necessary.
Satellite 2025 featured a dedicated track focused on government and military space capabilities for the first time. Topics included improving resilience in orbit, driving competition in military launch capabilities, and addressing threats in space. The addition of the GovMilSpace track is another indication that commercial technology has a permanent place in military space planning.
Strategies in a disrupted mobility market
Traditional GEO and MEO operators are moving to multi-orbit architectures as a path to next-gen mobility connectivity and differentiating through value-added services. That’s very much in line with ViaSat recently signing a multi-year contract for Telesat Lightspeed services. Viasat plans to integrate Telesat Lightspeed into its services portfolio for aviation, maritime, enterprise, and defense markets as part of its multi-orbit strategy.
Viasat antennas are forward-compatible with Telesat Lightspeed. The thousands of airplanes with the Viasat GM-40 antenna installed today will be able to access the Telesat Lightspeed network when global services commence in late 2027. Viasat and its airline customers can also install next-generation electronically steerable antennas (ESAs) to access the advanced Telesat Lightspeed constellation.
Analysys Mason is spot on when they say the service provider model in space needs to change. Telesat can support this evolution because it has a wholesale business model, focused on serving satellite service providers and telcos, who will in-turn serve enterprise and government users. With Telesat Lightspeed, a service provider or integrator acts as a virtual network operator (VNO), providing complete control over how the capacity is “sliced and diced” to each of their customers.
There was a nervous excitement in the air at this year’s show. Analysys Mason said that the pace of change has pushed the industry out of its “comfort zone,” accustomed to more predictable models and outcomes. New providers are entering the market, legacy providers are pivoting, governments want more options, and customers want broadband services with no geographic limitations.
A strong business model and disciplined execution will be required for market success. It’s going to be an exciting ride!
