The satellite direct-to-device (D2D) service market continues to progress at an extraordinary pace; Starlink and T-Mobile are launching beta services in the USA, Skylo is partnering with Deutsche Telekom and Verizon, and AST and Lynk are testing, developing technologies and raising more funds. Satellite D2D services promise to eliminate no-coverage zones, thus enhancing subscribers' experience (and safety) and unlocking new business opportunities. However, it is not yet clear if consumers will actually pay for them. Our space and satellite experts Christopher Baugh and LLuc Palerm discuss these issues in this episode of the Analysys Mason podcast.

Learn more about satellite strategies for telecoms operators.

In this episode, Tom Rebbeck, Partner and expert in TMT consumer and business services, talks with Simon Sherrington, Research Director and expert in fibre infrastructure and sustainability, about FTTP network expansion in the USA and how it is affecting US cable operators (cablecos).

They discuss how the rapid expansion of FTTP networks is leading to increasing overlap between fibre broadband and cable broadband networks, how cablecos are losing market share and what this might mean for the future. In this context, they discuss how cablecos’ network upgrade strategies may be putting them at a cost disadvantage, and consider the alternative options that are open to these players.

Learn more about our Fibre Infrastructure programme or visit our related article.

In this episode, Christopher Baugh, Partner and head of the space research practice, Lluc Palerm, Research Director and head of the Satellite–Telecoms Integration programme, and Carlos Placido, senior adviser, discuss the potential for European satellite constellations such as Eutelsat OneWeb to replace Starlink in Ukraine and elsewhere. Geopolitics are causing turbulence in the satellite communications (satcom) sector, but Europe is stepping up its space connectivity plans in terms of its commercial and sovereign solutions. The conversation touches on the potential for a European-backed constellation to replace Starlink in Ukraine specifically and the strategies that European space players will follow.

For more information, see Analysys Mason’s Non-GEO Constellations Analysis Toolkit, which underpins the data and insights in this podcast.

In this episode, Caroline Gabriel, Partner and expert in network and cloud strategies and architecture, engages in a wide-ranging discussion with Rupert Wood, Research Director and expert in network infrastructure, about trends in telecoms capex.

They delve into the reasons behind the recent decline in operator capex worldwide, focusing on 5G and FTTP, and how this decline is connected to the slowing demand for bandwidth coupled with a supply of infrastructure that will be sufficient for the foreseeable future. Rupert shares insights from his strategy report, "The end of big capex: new strategic options for the telecoms industry," which explores industry misconceptions about the relationship between investment and demand. He suggests that the industry is experiencing a crisis of overproduction, with industry players still wedded to productive forces that deliver low returns. However, he argues that new models for operator and vendor investment will emerge from this crisis, tied to newer productive forces.

During the discussion, Rupert also shares insights into Analysys Mason's capex forecasts, which indicate that operator capital intensity will fall until 2030, with no major cyclical rebound in overall network investment in the foreseeable future.

In this podcast, Caroline Gabriel, expert in network and cloud strategies and architecture, and Janette Stewart, expert in spectrum management, policy and valuation, discuss some of the highlights from the European 5G conference in January 2025. They focus on future mobile traffic patterns, mobile technology upgrades and the implications for mobile spectrum assignment policy and operator strategies.

Welcome to our AI podcast series. Each episode features business leaders from across the technology, media and telecoms (TMT) industry who discuss their AI-related insights, and explore the impact of AI on their organisations and the industry as a whole.  

In this episode, Analysys Mason’s Dion Teo, Partner and expert in strategy, talks with Quint Simon, Head of Public Policy, Asia–Pacific and Japan at Amazon Web Services (AWS).  

In this episode, Dion and Quint discuss: 

Find out more about Analysys Mason's AI-related research and consulting services here.  

Starlink is revolutionising in-flight connectivity and could dominate the market by offering a combination of speed and affordability. The company's services could become the new standard for in-flight connectivity; the contracts it has secured with airlines such as Air France and United Airlines put it at the forefront of the market. This disruption is forcing incumbents to adapt quickly, pushing them to innovate, expand satellite capabilities and refine pricing strategies. The evolving competition in in-flight connectivity will reshape passenger expectations and redefine the future of connectivity in the aviation sector.

Learn more about our satellite mobility programme.

Each year, Analysys Mason looks ahead to predict the major developments that will shape the technology, media and telecoms industry over the coming year. Our predictions for 2025 give industry players the insight to anticipate, and benefit from, emerging trends and gain a strategic advantage in planning for the future.

Read the full predictions here. 

2024 was a strong year for satellite manufacturing and launch services: there were large investments for major programmes and a record number of launches. SpaceX continues to dominate the market; it has received more investment and is testing new vehicles. Satellites and constellations for direct-to-device services and space domain awareness, as well as new launch vehicles, have received significant investment and are ready to be launched. However, challenges remain for many satellite operators, launch service providers and vendors. The commercialisation of satellite manufacturing and launch services remains slow and competitive, and these players must adapt to match buyers' concerns. 

Welcome to our sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) podcast series. Each episode features business leaders from across the technology, media and telecoms industry who discuss what sustainability and ESG means to them, their organisation and the industry as a whole. 

In this episode, Analysys Mason’s Fran González, Partner, talks with Catherine Bohill, ESG Development and Impact Director at Telefónica.

Fran and Catherine discuss:

Telefónica Climate Action Plan 

Telefónica  Consolidated management report 2023 

Telefónica, among the 10 most sustainable companies in the world by ‘Time’ 

Find out more about Analysys Mason's sustainability and ESG-related research and consulting services here.