

204 - Mega-Constellations, Gaining Competitive Advantage and Software-Ground
Apr 16, 2025
Lluc Palerm, Research Director at Analysys Mason, shares his expertise on the challenges mega-constellations like Starlink pose to traditional satellite operators. He delves into how software-ground systems can level the playing field, enabling legacy companies to innovate and thrive amid fierce competition. Highlights include the evolution of satellite technologies, the vital role of 5G in enhancing satellite communications, and strategic insights on leveraging software-defined systems to gain a competitive edge. A must-listen for anyone in the space industry!
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Starlink's Market Dominance and Impact
- Starlink has become dominant and even monopolistic in some verticals like consumer broadband and maritime.
- It expanded the market by growing the addressable subscriber base without only cannibalizing traditional players.
Virtualized Ground Segment Importance
- Virtualizing and orchestrating the ground segment is key to competing against mega constellations.
- It enables cost savings, cloud transition, telco integration, and adoption of 5G/6G standards.
Need for Software-Defined Ground
- Software-defined satellites can adapt configurations and beams dynamically based on demand.
- A software-defined ground segment must match this rapid pace to fully utilize these capabilities.