• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Globalstar and Orbcomm IPOs Highlight Re-Emergence of Mobile Satellite Services and Need for Detailed Examination of Market Potential

Posted on: Tuesday, 7 November 2006, 03:00 CST

MENLO PARK, Calif., Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Telecom, Media and Finance Associates, Inc. (TMF Associates), the specialist Mobile Satellite Services consulting firm, today released its regular market analysis of events in the mobile satellite sector. Last week both Globalstar and Orbcomm conducted IPOs, highlighting the re-emergence of the sector as a major focus for investors and suppliers. Other events included the announcement of a joint venture between SES and Eutelsat to bring mobile satellite broadcasting to Europe.

The report analyzes growth prospects for the handheld MSS market, the outlook for Inmarsat's new BGAN product, and how the distribution models for MSS may change following the consolidation of major Inmarsat distributors. In addition, the report provides new estimates for MSS spectrum valuations based on the FCC's recent AWS auction.

The firm also updated its subscriber and revenue projections for Inmarsat, incorporating the latest developments in the BGAN and handheld MSS markets.

Tim Farrar, author of the research, commented, "The very different outcomes of the Globalstar and Orbcomm IPOs have confirmed our previously published analyses which were positive about the potential of the handheld MSS market, but cautious on the prospects for Orbcomm's IPO. Our new report gives additional details on the prospects for handheld services and also analyzes the opportunity for Inmarsat's new BGAN service. Initial BGAN sales appear to be relatively modest, confirming our view that this will not represent a major step-change in Inmarsat's land mobile revenues. However, we are more bullish on the opportunity for Inmarsat's maritime and aeronautical data services, where we expect BGAN to reinforce recent strong growth. In the handheld market, we expect the introduction of new, smaller handsets from Thuraya and Globalstar, and the forthcoming launch of new North American mobile satellite systems, to lead to a near doubling of handheld MSS subscribers and revenues over the next five years.

"MSS operators may also benefit from the recently announced Eutelsat-SES mobile broadcasting deal, since it will increase the probability of hybrid satellite-terrestrial networks being permitted in Europe. Eutelsat's intention to support two-way services could lead eventually to use of MSS spectrum for cellular-like terrestrial services, and thereby increase the potential value of MSS spectrum enormously, as has already happened in North America."

The report and market projections form part of TMF Associates' recently launched information service on the Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) sector. More details are available at http://www.tmfassociates.com/reports. Previous analyses may be downloaded from http://www.tmfassociates.com/articles.

TMF Associates, headquartered in Menlo Park, California, is a leading consulting and research firm providing business and technical analysis in satellite, wireless and broadband telecommunications. The firm specializes in Mobile Satellite Services, including Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) technology, and works with operators, investors and equipment manufacturers to analyze complex market issues. For additional information, please visit http://www.tmfassociates.com/.

CONTACT: Tim Farrar, President Telecom, Media and Finance Associates, Inc. 650-839-0376 or tim.farrar@tmfassociates.com

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/.

Telecom, Media and Finance Associates, Inc.

CONTACT: Tim Farrar, President, Telecom, Media and Finance Associates,Inc., +1-650-839-0376, tim.farrar@tmfassociates.com

Web Site: http://www.tmfassociates.com/http://www.tmfassociates.com/articleshttp://www.tmfassociates.com/reports

Source: PRNewswire

More News in this Category