The emergence of NGSO systems presents both opportunities and threats to traditional GSO operators. In the opening keynote, Patompob (Nile) Suwansiri, CEO, THAICOM, highlighted the need for adaptation and strategic partnerships to leverage respective strengths.

Despite challenges, the satellite broadband business remains relevant and lucrative. Suwansiri emphasized the importance of leveraging accumulated expertise and capital to invest in newer technologies and satellites, ensuring continued growth and relevance. “The fundamentals and know-how of doing the broadband business is still there and that is something that technology cannot replace,” said Suwansiri.

While Software-Defined High Throughput Satellites (SD HTS) hold promise for reducing investment risk and enabling new business models, concerns remain about expected capacity pricing reductions. Integration of smart satellite systems with ground systems and the utilization of AI were also highlighted as crucial for driving innovation and efficiency for THAICOM, added Suwansiri.

The ‘Asia-Pacific Satellite Leaders Roundtable’ also discussed the current state and future outlook of the satellite industry, with a focus on where the video industry is heading. Raymond Chow, Chief Commercial Officer, AsiaSat, emphasized their focus on providing end-to-end services and adapting to changing customer demands for global connectivity, with more vertical integration for a holistic view across the video business.

Kenichi Shimotsuma, GM, Asia Regional Headquarters & Regional Director, Singapore Branch, SKY Perfect JSAT, also recognized the evolving role of satellite broadcasting and the need to diversify into content delivery and connected TV services to meet changing consumer preferences.

Conversations around the future of linear video continued with ‘The Customers Talk’. Paul Mattear, Head of Global SatCom (A&S), Amazon Web Services, highlighted the importance of understanding and meeting customer needs, emphasizing a symbiotic relationship between service providers and end-users. For Huang Baozhong, EVP, APT Satellite, maintaining a customer-centric approach is crucial for competitiveness. Trust in IP-based technology is also evolving, with AI playing a role in streamlining labour-intensive tasks, added Mark Wardle, VP, Engineering & Operations, Encompass Digital Media.

Pranav Roach, President of Hughes Network Systems India, offered insights into how the “Norms, Guidelines and Procedures” (NGP) document for the implementation of Indian Space Policy is facilitating easier navigation of regulations and processes, thus benefiting private players in the sector. A notable aspect highlighted by Roach is the significance of spectrum allocation for satellite broadband. The NGP streamlines the process, ensuring administrative allocation to facilitate private sector involvement. Roach emphasized that auctions would have been counterproductive in this context.

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