2017 was the beginning of tough times for GEO satellite operators, as the explosive growth of HTS capacity coincided with market disruption for broadcast distribution.
The World Teleport Association (WTA) published its annual rankings for the Top Teleport Operators of 2018. The annual rankings of companies by revenue and revenue growth are compiled by surveying teleport operators around the world as well as referencing the published results of publicly-held companies.
?The 2018 Top Operator rankings are based on data from the last two complete fiscal years: fiscal 2017, in whatever month it ended, and the previous year,? said executive director Robert Bell.
?As the industry press has reported, those were the beginning of tough times for GEO satellite operators, as the explosive growth of HTS capacity coincided with market disruption for broadcast distribution. The same trend has challenged top-line revenues for teleport operators, with 50% reporting year-over-year revenue declines. Resale of satellite capacity is a low-margin business for most operators, however, which significantly limits the impact of that decline on EBITDA. But the decline has led us to reduce the number of companies covered by the Top Operators lists to 20 on a global basis, 15 for independent teleport operators and 10 for the fastest-growing operators.?
In May 2019, WTA will publish its annual Inside the Top Operators report that will provide a more detailed analysis of survey results.
The Independent 15
The Independent Top 15 ranks teleport operators based on revenue from all sources. The list focuses on the independent operators at the core of the business, excluding companies whose primary business is ownership and operation of a satellite fleet or terrestrial network. In order from largest to smallest, the Independent Top 15 of 2018 are:
- Speedcast (Australia)
- Telespazio (Italy)
- Globecast (France)
- Arqiva (UK)
- Globecomm (USA)
- Du (UAE)
- PlanetCast (India)
- Media Broadcast Satellite (Germany)
- Signalhorn Trusted Networks (Germany)
- Axesat (Colombia)
- Jordan Media City (Jordan)
- Elara Comunicaciones (Mexico)
- US Electrodynamics (USA)
- CETel (Germany)
- Global Data Systems (USA)
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The Global Top 20
The Global Top 20 ranks companies based on revenues from all customised communications sources and includes operators of teleports and satellite fleets. In order from largest to smallest, the Global Top 20 of 2018 are:
- Intelsat (Luxembourg)
- SES (Luxembourg)
- Eutelsat (France)
- Telesat (Canada)
- Speedcast (Australia) *
- EchoStar Satellite Services (USA)
- Telespazio (Italy) *
- Singtel Satellite (Singapore)
- Globecast (France) *
- Thaicom (Thailand)
- Hispasat (Spain)
- Arqiva (UK) *
- Globecomm (USA) *
- Optus (Australia)
- AsiaSat (Hong Kong)
- MEASAT (Malaysia)
- Telenor Satellite (Norway)
- Gazprom Space Systems (Russia)
- Du (UAE) *
- PlanetCast (India) *
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* Independent: does not own or operate satellite capacity
The Fast 10
The Fast 10 ranks all teleport-operating companies based on year-over-year revenue growth in their most recent fiscal years. Speedcast was the fastest of the fast with 301% year-over-year growth driven by major acquisitions. Ranked by revenue growth, the Fast 10 of 2018 are:
- Speedcast (Australia) *
- Globecomm (USA) *
- CETel (Germany) *
- Elara Comunicaciones (Mexico) *
- US Electrodynamics (USA) *
- PlanetCast (India) *
- AsiaSat (Hong Kong)
- Santander Teleport (Spain) *
- MEASAT (Malaysia)
- Du (UAE) *
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* Independent: does not own or operate satellite capacity
