Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Market Forecasts to 2032 – Global Analysis By Component (Equipment, and Services), Orbit Class (Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (GEO)), Frequency Band, Platform, End User

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Market is accounted for $35.8 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $71.2 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 10.3% during the forecast period. The Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Market includes satellites, ground equipment, terminals, and network services that enable long-distance voice, data, and video connectivity. It serves defense, aviation, maritime, enterprise, and remote broadband users. Growth is fueled by the need for worldwide coverage, the increase of low-earth-orbit satellite groups, higher connectivity demands in remote areas, more military communication, and the rising use of internet services on planes and ships.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Deployment of mega-constellations enabling global broadband

The aggressive rollout of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) mega-constellations is fundamentally reshaping the telecommunications landscape by providing high-speed, low-latency broadband to previously unreachable areas. These massive satellite networks eliminate the traditional reliance on extensive ground-based fiber infrastructure, making them ideal for bridging the digital divide in rural and maritime environments. Furthermore, the shift toward mass-produced small satellites has significantly lowered the cost per bit of data transmission. This evolution allows service providers to offer competitive pricing models, effectively capturing a massive base of underserved consumers and enterprise clients across the globe.

Restraint:

High initial capital expenditure for satellite infrastructure

Establishing a robust satellite communication network requires immense upfront financial investment, covering everything from advanced spacecraft manufacturing to high-cost orbital launch services. Beyond the initial deployment, operators must also invest heavily in complex ground station segments and specialized user terminals to ensure network reliability. These high entry barriers often limit the market to large-scale corporations or government-backed entities, stifling competition from smaller, innovative startups.

Opportunity:

Convergence with 5G networks for backhaul and ubiquitous coverage

By utilizing satellites for backhaul, telecom operators can extend 5G services to remote industrial sites, moving vehicles, and disaster-stricken regions where traditional towers are impractical. This hybrid architecture ensures ""unbreakable"" connectivity, supporting the burgeoning Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem and autonomous transport systems. Additionally, 3GPP standards are increasingly incorporating non-terrestrial networks, which facilitate interoperability. Such convergence allows the industry to tap into new revenue streams from mission-critical applications and high-bandwidth consumer services.

Threat:

Space debris and collision risk threatening satellite assets

The rapid proliferation of satellites in low Earth orbit has intensified concerns regarding orbital congestion and the escalating threat of space debris. Even microscopic fragments traveling at orbital velocities can cause catastrophic damage to multi-million-dollar satellite assets, potentially leading to expensive service disruptions. There is a growing fear of the Kessler Syndrome, where a single collision triggers a chain reaction of fragmentations, rendering specific orbital planes unusable for generations. Furthermore, the lack of a comprehensive international regulatory framework for space traffic management complicates mitigation efforts.

Covid-19 Impact:

The COVID-19 pandemic had multiple effects on the SATCOM market. At first, it caused major problems in the supply chain and delayed the launches of several high-profile satellites. However, the subsequent global shift toward remote work and digital education raised the importance of resilient, wide-area connectivity, driving a surge in demand for satellite broadband. While the aeronautical and maritime sectors experienced a sharp decline in airtime revenue due to travel restrictions, the military and government segments remained stable. Ultimately, the crisis accelerated the long-term adoption of satellite-based internet solutions.

The equipment segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The equipment segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period due to the massive demand for sophisticated hardware required to support new LEO and MEO constellations. This includes the large purchase of advanced phased-array antennas, powerful transceivers, and ground-based gateways that can manage communications from multiple orbits. As industries modernize their infrastructure to utilize high-throughput satellites, the volume of hardware sales for both commercial and defense applications continues to rise.

The aeronautical segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Over the forecast period, the aeronautical segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate as airlines globally prioritize high-speed in-flight connectivity (IFC) to meet passenger expectations for seamless streaming and social media access. Modernization programs are increasingly integrating Ka-band and Ku-band SATCOM systems into commercial fleets to improve operational efficiency and cockpit communications. Additionally, the rapid expansion of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) market for both military surveillance and commercial logistics is driving the need for reliable beyond-line-of-sight satellite links.

Region with largest share:

During the forecast period, the North America region is expected to hold the largest market share, anchored by a robust ecosystem of leading satellite operators, launch service providers, and defense contractors. The United States government remains a primary consumer of SATCOM services for military intelligence, surveillance, and secure communications, providing a stable foundation for market dominance. Additionally, the early adoption of commercial satellite broadband and a highly developed space R&D infrastructure further solidify the region's lead.

Region with highest CAGR:

During the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR, fueled by massive government investments in national space programs and digital inclusion initiatives across China, India, and Southeast Asia. The region’s vast geographical diversity and large rural populations make satellite technology a more viable solution than terrestrial cables for providing universal internet access. Furthermore, the rising demand for maritime and aeronautical connectivity in this economically vibrant zone is attracting significant international and domestic investment. Additionally, the emergence of a competitive low-cost satellite manufacturing sector in the region is lowering the barriers to entry and accelerating market penetration.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Market include Viasat, Inc., SES S.A., Intelsat S.A., Eutelsat Group, Iridium Communications Inc., Globalstar, Inc., Telesat Corporation, EchoStar Corporation, Hughes Network Systems, LLC, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Amazon.com, Inc., Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., Comtech Telecommunications Corp., ORBCOMM Inc., KVH Industries, Inc., L3Harris Technologies, Inc., and Thales Group.

Key Developments:

In December 2025, Iridium partnered with HD Hyundai Construction Equipment, enabling global IoT connectivity for fleet management systems.

In December 2025, Telesat entered a strategic partnership with the Government of Canada and MDA Space to deliver Arctic military satellite communications.

In November 2025, Viasat confirmed the successful launch of ViaSat 3 F2 aboard a ULA Atlas V551, with service entry planned for early 2026.

In October 2025, Gilat received $42 million in orders from a leading operator for its multi orbit SkyEdge IV platform, supporting in flight connectivity expansion.

Components Covered:
• Equipment
• Services

Orbit Classes Covered:
• Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
• Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (GEO)

Frequency Bands Covered:
• L-Band & S-Band
• C-Band
• Ku-Band
• Ka-Band
• X-Band
• Other High-Frequency Bands

Platforms Covered:
• Land
• Aeronautical
• Maritime
• Space

End Users Covered:
• Government & Defense
• Commercial & Enterprises
• Civil & Government (Non-Defense)
• Consumer (Direct-to-Consumer Services)

Regions Covered:
• North America
US
Canada
Mexico
• Europe
Germany
UK
Italy
France
Spain
Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
Japan
China
India
Australia
New Zealand
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Qatar
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2032
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements
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