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Satcoms is a key space sector addressing EU socio-economic priorities
The sector has a huge (often invisible) impact on the daily lives of citizens.
Close to half a billion households worldwide receive more than 37.500 television programmes directly from geostationary satellites. Of these, about 40% are in emerging countries. In Europe alone, 80 million households receive information and entertainment directly via satellite TV, while cable TV is fed by satellite for another 66 million households. An estimated 75% of these households receive digital satellite TV signals, with more and more content being broadcast in high definition. All European citizens are covered and have the possibility to receive TV via satellite.
Satellite broadband, as the only way able to connect users, immediately and cost-effectively, no matter where they are located – mountains, islands, remote or sparsely populated areas – was the key to helping the European Commission achieve its 2013 Digital Agenda for Europe target of 100% coverage with basic broadband. All European citizens have now the possibility to have a broadband connection thanks to satellite communications.
Development of the world's poorest countries is empowered through access to communications technology via satellite communications. International organizations, such as the United Nations, have asked satellite operators to contribute to fulfilling their plans in developing regions. Through satcoms developing nations have immediate access to some of the world's most advanced technology. For example, modern communications satellites can provide African users with access to technologies – such as broadband connectivity, IP data, 3G communications – in a highly cost-effective manner. European satellite operators are active in Africa providing vital support for education, businesses and supporting European policy-making in Africa.
Satellite communications are providing connections to marine professionals and passengers, supporting voice and data services as well as access to satellite TV programmes. Satellites offer the only connection available in the high seas. And internet connections on planes, cruise ships and oil platforms are made possible via satcoms.
Satcoms provide also lifesaving services: maritime distress signalling is a lifesaving service made possible by satcoms.
Satellite communications dramatically impact the ability to effectively plan, coordinate and respond to emergencies and natural disasters. At times of disaster, when other communications systems are either destroyed or overloaded, satellite communications equipment can be used immediately to support relief efforts.
Satcoms also support peacekeeping missions, troops abroad and border security around the world. Satellite connections are typically the only link remote troops have to home and provide probably the most robust communications solution for use in a security or military environment.
Satcoms are a building block for the Common Security and Defence Policy: Autonomy of decision making and of actions at an EU level requires autonomy of operational infrastructures and of access toinformation. The satcoms capacity to instantly cover most of the world, to provide a back up to strategic communication, to provide secure and resilient communication are thus relevant.
No such services could exist without communication satellites in orbit, which require substantial investment by both industry and operators.
A healthy satcoms sector is necessary to keep the space industry sustainable
Satcoms is the largest sector in the space business.
Half of the satellites being launched are communication satellites. Out of the a total of 1200 satellites in orbit more than 50% are communications satellites.
Owing to the larger size and complexity of communications satellites their value represents more than 67% of the value of all satellites launched in 2012. To this should be added that 87% of Ariane launches in the last three years were satcoms.
Adding all stages in the satcom value chain an aggregate of around €100 billion/year was the worldwide satcom value in 2013 and continues to grow.
The top four global satellite operators, the two largest satellite manufacturers and the number one commercial launch service are European.
Satcoms represent a major mainly commercial investment: the cumulated CAPEX of the European top four satcom operators in the period 2000-2012 has been $25 billion.
As there is a direct relation between sales and employment, the satcoms sector supports directly two thirds of the space jobs in Europe. Knowledge, know-how, and industrial tooling are maintained thanks to the commercial satcom activity.
In the above should be added the direct and indirect employment in the satcom applications and services sectors, which may be estimated to be an order of magnitude larger.
Satcoms, which is a substantial industry in its own right, has also been stimulating benefits to the downstream sector that would not otherwise have materialised (e.g. satellite broadcasting supporting the development of a flourishing TV industry, Olympic games and large events world reach, international news channels…)
Satcoms is a driver and enabler for economic growth and jobs; it is fully in line with the knowledge and innovation economy aspirations, providing services with huge socio-economic impact. Satcoms is essential for the survival and sustainability of the European space industry at large.
ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) Programme: from satcoms products to services
ESA’s ARTES programme transforms research and development investment into successful commercial products and services.
The various ARTES elements form a flexible framework for activities across the full value chain, highly appreciated by the private and public partners.
Businesses within ESA member and cooperating states – whether small or large, new or experienced – can submit proposals to the ARTES programme.
Through ARTES, ESA offers the unique ability to pool the expertise from all Member States and share their knowledge. This helps to maintain and develop an industry that provides competitive products in an open global commercial market in the face of increasing competition.
