Satellite-Enabled Mobile Devices

Opportunities and Trends for North America

Research Report

The North American mobile satellite services (MSS) market has been on a steady rebound since the bankruptcy of many of the region’s satellite network operators early in the decade. It is a rebound enabled with upgraded satellite networks and expanded multimedia services. Incumbent MSS network operators have launched more powerful, beam-forming satellites to provide greater coverage; they have leveraged their coverage by establishing roaming agreements with mobile cellular network operators, and enhanced their product offerings with dual-mode satellite-cellular handsets. Additionally, greenfield MSTS (mobile satellite-terrestrial services) network operators will be launching innovative, next-generation MSS networks and services over the next year. Together the incumbents and new entrants will deliver a promising market opportunity, one that may very well lead to the long-term consolidation of the MSTS and 4G cellular markets in North America.

The objective of this Research Report is to provide background and insights on the next-generation of the MSS market, the market opportunities for its ecosystem participants, and forecasts for dual-mode satellite-cellular handset shipments. It addresses commercial mobile services that will be available in the North American region and supported with subscriber handsets.

Table of Contents

  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Market Overview
    • 2.1. End Markets
    • 2.2. Technologies
  • 3. Market Dynamics
    • 3.1. The Mobile Satellite-Cellular Service Inflection Point
    • 3.2. Key Market Drivers
    • 3.3. Key Market Barriers
  • 4. The Short-Term MSTS Market Reality
  • 5. The Long-Term 4G Market Promise
  • 6. Selected MSTS Company Profiles
    • 6.1. Infineon Technologies
    • 6.2. Qualcomm
    • 6.3. Elektrobit
    • 6.4. SkyTerra Communications
    • 6.5. TerreStar Networks
  • 7. Market Forecast Methodology

Charts

  1. MSTS Smartphone Shipments, North America: 2010 to 2014
  2. 4G MSTS-Enabled LTE Handsets, North America: 2010 to 2014