Satellite sector continues to grow

The global fixed satellite sector grew by 10.7% in revenues and 9% in transponder demand in 2008, according to research from Euroconsult.

The Paris-based research group said 18 new satellite pay-TV platforms were launched last year, taking the total to 109, with 24,000 TV channels now broadcast by satellite, an increase of 2,900 year-on-year.

Emerging markets, including Latin America, Africa, central Europe and parts of Asia, represented 53% of capacity usage and represented 71% of the net increase in capacity leased worldwide in 2008, according to Euroconsult. The group predicts that the traditional fixed services market will be worth US$13.4bn (US$9.5bn) by 2018, or US$16.8bn including wholesale revenues relating to residential broadband services.