{"id":68261,"date":"2017-05-15T23:56:12","date_gmt":"2017-05-15T15:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/satellite-2017-important-lessons-and-some-surprising-takeaways\/"},"modified":"2017-05-15T23:56:12","modified_gmt":"2017-05-15T15:56:12","slug":"satellite-2017-important-lessons-and-some-surprising-takeaways","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/satellite-2017-important-lessons-and-some-surprising-takeaways\/","title":{"rendered":"SATELLITE 2017: Important Lessons and Some Surprising Takeaways"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As chairman of SATELLITE, I get a year-long peek behind-the-scenes at how our speakers and participating companies prepare for each show and create a framework of what they hope to accomplish. Comparing the objectives to the end-result, the commercial satellite industry can certainly claim that it took advantage of SATELLITE 2017\u2019s focused media attention and sent out clear signals to investors, customers and policy makers. The following is a list of what stood out to me as the boldest of bullet points made during the satellite industry\u2019s \u201cMarch Madness\u201d week in Washington D.C. \u2014 issues and conversations that will likely continue to unfold throughout the year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. In a period of transition, some satellite operators are looking for a new identity.<\/strong> Worldwide high-speed Internet connectivity is and will remain the most lucrative market for commercial satellite operators of all shapes, sizes and regions. High-speed data drives all of today\u2019s media and there\u2019s no simpler and more straight-forward business model than providing bandwidth to data-hungry consumers. But as media consumer habits continue to change, some satellite operators are starting to realize that they have to do more than just making bandwidth available in order to connect to more people and produce any meaningful growth. And that\u2019s the big question \u2014 what do they do? Do they reshape and rebrand themselves as telecoms or data companies, treating satellite as a piece of a larger, more diverse infrastructure rather than the defining feature? Do they acquire resources, reorganize and build synergies through M&amp;A? News of the proposed merger of Intelsat and OneWeb dropped right before the show. This is one example of a unique merger of GEO and LEO infrastructure. Will we see one of our big, worldwide satellite operators merge with one of the top 10 terrestrial\/cellular companies? Satellite operators need to cement themselves in their identity sooner rather than later. Whenever an ambitious new entrepreneur files to launch a massive constellation, the tech media choir responds with cheers of \u201chere comes free global Internet!\u201d Unfortunately, this message comes as news to consumers, but completely ignored the fact that several operators have been working on realizing those same ambitions for years (as a side note \u2014 this is one of the biggest tragedies of the loss of Eutelsat\u2019s Facebook satellite. People forgot about what that satellite was supposed to do). Maybe that new identity is really just a company that is much more effective talking directly to those consumers? I can at least say that direct communication to consumers will be a dominant focus of the SATELLITE 2018 conference program.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/K4dUFuzITRarxdHQFXcn_ShowDaily17_Cover_Wrap_DGTL-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 120px; height: auto;\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/K4dUFuzITRarxdHQFXcn_ShowDaily17_Cover_Wrap_DGTL-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/K4dUFuzITRarxdHQFXcn_ShowDaily17_Cover_Wrap_DGTL-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/K4dUFuzITRarxdHQFXcn_ShowDaily17_Cover_Wrap_DGTL-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/K4dUFuzITRarxdHQFXcn_ShowDaily17_Cover_Wrap_DGTL.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"fs-5 mt-0\">Explore the Show Daily 2017 Wrap Up Issue<\/h3>\n<p class=\"mb-0 fs-smaller text-balance\">Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<button class=\"btn btn-primary\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"offcanvas\" data-bs-target=\"#offcanvasMENU\" aria-controls=\"offcanvasExample\" aria-label=\"button\" style=\"white-space: nowrap;\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tView More <i class=\"bi bi-arrow-right-circle\"><\/i><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/button><\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Other satellite operators who are much more solidified in their identities and thriving in mobile markets are pushing hard for tech advancements on the ground.<\/strong> Satellite operators that have honed in on fast-growth regions and\/or mobile markets like in-flight and maritime connectivity believe that the infrastructure they\u2019ve build in space is only limited by the ability and power of the infrastructure on the ground. They\u2019re not worried about constellations. They want newer, cheaper and more powerful hardware. Not surprisingly, conference sessions about flat-panel antennas and satellite terminal development were among SATELLITE 2017\u2019s most popular and well-attended events of the week. Kymeta, Newtec and dozens of other antenna manufacturers at the SATELLITE show answered a lot of questions about target release dates, scale and price. I admire their own personal capacity to handle the pressure. Believe me, these manufacturers would like nothing more than the ability to walk out on stage side-by-side with the VP of consumer experience from a major car company and answer those questions. Also, those car companies are putting just as much pressure on the hardware community as the satellite operators.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Today\u2019s tense geopolitical climate creates an uncertain and uncomfortable environment for the commercial space community. <\/strong>The SATELLITE crowd is very polite when it comes to politics. Speakers and attendees are very careful about comments on policy. Very few U.S. politicians outside of the FCC and the Congressional Science, Space and Technology are addressed by name and nobody ever endorses a candidate. That\u2019s because Space has been the one area of policy that politicians across the entire spectrum love to say they support. We speak about government budget cuts like it\u2019s a fog that nobody remembers rolling in and nobody knows when it will clear out. This year was different. Trump, Brexit, travel bans and French Elections were on the tip of everyone\u2019s tongue, but were reserved to private conversations and thoughts. Nobody in the commercial satellite industry wants a trade war and nobody wants to travel back in time to a pre-globalized business world. While Mark Spiwak and his fellow Boeing executives are doing their best to explain the importance of the U.S. Ex-Im bank to the Trump administration, nobody knows its fate. The same could be said about the European Union, military spending, or the power\/reach of any regulatory body. Nobody likes dealing with the stress of uncertainty. I suspect that these discussions will erupt at SATELLITE 2018 after budgets and more elections have passed.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. There\u2019s real opportunity in satellite imagery and sensing markets, but in order to capitalize, satellite providers have to think beyond simple data collection\/organization and create the application that consumers demand.<\/strong> This was the thesis of RRE Ventures COO Will Porteous\u2019 keynote speech at the Monday Finance Forum luncheon. Private investors have injected a lot of capital into companies that rapidly build and deploy small satellites that collect massive amounts of imagery and data that can accomplish anything you can imagine. However, these companies are also leaving ROI up to the imagination, as very few seem to be able to explain how they will organize and disseminate this data to the consumer. Even fewer can explain who those consumers are. The leaders in this field \u2014 DigitalGlobe, Planet, Spire and a handful of others \u2014 are the furthest along and most experienced and have grown at a remarkable pace thanks to low launch costs and enthusiastic, patient investors. Joe Rothenberg, formerly of Terra Bella, which Google just sold to Planet, stated just as much during a presentation at SATELLITE 2017. There\u2019s a lot of potential here for patient investors, especially in applications for agriculture, weather, and resource management. But, you can\u2019t sell \u201cbig data\u201d to the average consumer. You have to sell an app that transforms the data into easy consumption. The average person doesn\u2019t care how quickly the satellite that captured that data was built and launched. They just want the visuals.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6d60f946755;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6d60f946755 = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6d60f946756').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6d60f946756'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>5. There is some good news for the government sector. <\/strong>The one shred of political certainty that does exist is that every world leader is looking to increase military and cybersecurity spending, which could bring commercially provided government satcom services back into the spotlight \u2014 if we can ever actually move forward with acquisition and regulatory reform. And yes, SATELLITE 2017 continued its role as a host for a military satcom acquisition reform conversation. On the positive side, we had more military uniforms on the speaker stage at least talking about acquisition reform this year compared to the previous five SATELLITE shows.<\/p>\n<p><strong>6. New entrants need to ante up with definitive business models, now. <\/strong>The new crop of space and satellite companies that we\u2019ve seen emerge during the past few years are led by young, ambitious, innovative and smart engineers with a long list of impressive credentials and an infinite supply of enthusiasm. This is all fine and good for getting seed money, but healthy skepticism and exhaustive market research keeps the tab running and nothing calms anxiety like a fiscal battle plan backed by customers willing to spend, realistic projections and a Plan B through Z. Some new entrants have been hiring on industry veterans as a reality check to develop these aspects of the business model. Others, specifically those that also need help with branding and marketing, are looking outside of the industry for an objective voice that will shake up the echo chamber.<\/p>\n<p><strong>7. Launchers are still multiplying and getting cheaper and it\u2019s still not enough to meet the demand for access to orbit. <\/strong>Commercial launchers get a lot of attention, so I won\u2019t spend too much time here. I will say that it wasn\u2019t too long ago when the four or five launchers we had on stage at SATELLITE actually used to argue with each other. Now, with a mountain of constellation business and a sea of demanding customers ahead of them, launchers are bonding like long-time neighbors, united in lowering costs and risk. Of course, launchers compete with each other, but there\u2019s definitely a group awareness brewing that we are quickly approaching a reality where we need to launch daily, not monthly \u2014 and that\u2019s just unmanned missions. Launching is fun and what you lose in sleep you make up with a fair amount celebrity \u2014 for better or worse. <strong>VS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>,<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"widget-title\">In This Issue<\/h2>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 325:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/BBJCSvWQ5G5JRimCLKIT_Ship_Network-300x200.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/BBJCSvWQ5G5JRimCLKIT_Ship_Network-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/BBJCSvWQ5G5JRimCLKIT_Ship_Network-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/BBJCSvWQ5G5JRimCLKIT_Ship_Network-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/BBJCSvWQ5G5JRimCLKIT_Ship_Network.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tExecs See Need to Differentiate and Innovate in New Maritime Environment<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 299:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/75IW0DOPTdmBEc70XCMn_Marquee-header-02102017-Final-300x169.png\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/75IW0DOPTdmBEc70XCMn_Marquee-header-02102017-Final-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/75IW0DOPTdmBEc70XCMn_Marquee-header-02102017-Final-800x450.png 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/75IW0DOPTdmBEc70XCMn_Marquee-header-02102017-Final-640x360.png 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/75IW0DOPTdmBEc70XCMn_Marquee-header-02102017-Final.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tFast Forward: How to Win the Race for Business Opportunity<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 322:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/L5LWZ7DeRC0JeaVUr7DA_DSC_0492-300x200.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/L5LWZ7DeRC0JeaVUr7DA_DSC_0492-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/L5LWZ7DeRC0JeaVUr7DA_DSC_0492-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/L5LWZ7DeRC0JeaVUr7DA_DSC_0492-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/L5LWZ7DeRC0JeaVUr7DA_DSC_0492.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tFinal Panel at SATELLITE 2017 Raises  Familiar Issues<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 326:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/yFDLbhjTZmHcWbmndobb_SDJ_4090-300x200.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/yFDLbhjTZmHcWbmndobb_SDJ_4090-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/yFDLbhjTZmHcWbmndobb_SDJ_4090-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/yFDLbhjTZmHcWbmndobb_SDJ_4090-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/yFDLbhjTZmHcWbmndobb_SDJ_4090.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tLEO vs GEO: Top Regional CEOs Engage in Heated Debate<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 320:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/dpksnykRQNCtCddY1VJF_jcsat16_streak-300x200.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/dpksnykRQNCtCddY1VJF_jcsat16_streak-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/dpksnykRQNCtCddY1VJF_jcsat16_streak-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/dpksnykRQNCtCddY1VJF_jcsat16_streak-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/dpksnykRQNCtCddY1VJF_jcsat16_streak.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tTop Launch Execs Focus on SmallSat Impact and Opportunities<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 321:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"199\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/jhtkgIR3ToamrU32Ra3N_ThinkstockPhotos-595322430-300x199.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/jhtkgIR3ToamrU32Ra3N_ThinkstockPhotos-595322430-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/jhtkgIR3ToamrU32Ra3N_ThinkstockPhotos-595322430-800x531.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/jhtkgIR3ToamrU32Ra3N_ThinkstockPhotos-595322430-640x425.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/jhtkgIR3ToamrU32Ra3N_ThinkstockPhotos-595322430.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tWhere Will Satellite Fit in the Internet of Things?<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As chairman of SATELLITE, I get a year-long peek behind-the-scenes at how our speakers and participating companies prepare for each show and create a framework of what they hope to accomplish. Comparing the objectives to the end-result, the commercial satellite industry can certainly claim that it took advantage of SATELLITE 2017\u2019s focused media attention and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":68262,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-68261","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68261"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68261"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68261\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}