SIF 2026: SatOps redefine identity in APAC's transforming space economy

The satellite industry in the Asia Pacific region is experiencing strategic development, with operators addressing unique market dynamics, regulatory challenges and the growing demand for sovereign space capabilities. These were among the key discussions at the Space Industry Forum 2026, a pre-Asia Tech x Singapore event held at The Fullerton Hotel, Singapore, on May 19, 2026.

The Take

• Asia-Pacific satellite operators are shifting focus from traditional video broadcasting to broadband, enterprise connectivity, direct-to-device and mobility services, with uneven capacity distribution due to regulatory differences.
• Operators are adapting through partnerships, capacity reselling and structural changes to address both commercial and sovereign market demands as governments increasingly prioritize space for defense infrastructure.
• Market forecasts show stagnant growth for satellite pay TV and expanding fixed-broadband subscriptions and revenues, prompting investment in next-generation satellites and collaboration with low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity providers.

In an opening statement, Nathan de Ruiter, Partner and Managing Director at Novaspace, characterized the current state of the satellite industry as a "fast-paced highway with unprecedented turns and potential bumps around the road." He highlighted that satellite connectivity remains the largest application in the Asia-Pacific space market, although the business model is gradually shifting from traditional video broadcasting toward broadband services, enterprise connectivity, consumer applications and mobility markets spanning air, maritime and land transportation. With Space Exploration Technologies Corp.'s Starlink having accumulated 9.0 million customers worldwide by the end of 2025 and operating in about 30 Asia-Pacific countries by early 2026, the direct-to-device (D2D) market has emerged as a substantial growth opportunity recently. Australia and Japan are the region's early movers in D2D adoption, with Australia becoming the second-largest D2D country globally after the United States. Japan has seen all major mobile network operators sign D2D agreements, positioning the country for rapid scaling of these services. Satellite capacity density is expected in the long-term to be driven by both LEO and geostationary (GEO) activity. However, this capacity is not equally distributed across the region, with regulatory frameworks creating disparities among markets.

The panel discussion, "Satellite Operators at a Crossroads: Scale, Strategy and Differentiation," brought together four industry executives who offered diverse perspectives on how traditional satellite operators are adapting to market transformation. Mark Rigolle, CEO of ABS Global Ltd. (Agility Beyond Space), described the current market situation as "one of the most intransparent that I have ever seen in any kind of market — telecoms or otherwise.” He added that satellite capacity remains limited and unevenly distributed across several markets in the region due to regulatory access barriers, creating operational and commercial challenges for operators and customers alike. He emphasized that ABS is positioning itself as a trusted partner to resellers by taking on the complexity of navigating the fragmented capacity landscape. Rigolle shared that the largest customer segment for ABS is other satellite operators, and the company is increasingly buying and reselling capacity from competitors — a practice that initially faced resistance about two years ago but is now becoming essential for serving customers efficiently.

Kevin Kyeong-il Choi, President and CEO of KT Sat, said the industry is entering the “space era,” articulating a vision for its evolution and stating that operators must think beyond survival strategies and instead focus on "space for humanity." He explained that KTSAT is expanding its geographical coverage, service offerings and applications while collaborating with both GEO and LEO operators. He acknowledged the risks of working with a startup manufacturer but argued that "the risks are not bigger in the startups compared to the legacy players" when pursuing innovative satellite solutions. Also, Choi advocated for international cooperation on sovereign space capabilities, suggesting that countries could build compatible but smaller constellations that work together, allowing each nation to invest a manageable portion while collectively achieving the scale of thousands of satellites. He added that KT SAT is expected to play a key role in the emerging global ecosystem of integrated 6G networks.

Yau Chyong Lim, COO of MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd, provided practical insights into the operational realities of serving both commercial and defense markets. He shared that MEASAT has been serving the defense market for more than ten years and operates a satellite dedicated exclusively to defense needs, while also assisting the government with regulatory support and related initiatives. Lim explained that defense customers have become "more and more sophisticated," with increasingly complex capability requirements, necessitating careful budget allocation. MEASAT is going through the procurement process for a replacement defense satellite. In addition, Lim highlighted the company’s focus on vertical integration and adjacent strategies, emphasizing its active pursuit of partnerships to strengthen capabilities across the broader satellite communications system.

Yo Shimizu, General Manager of SKY Perfect JSAT Corp.'s Singapore Branch and Asia Regional Head, discussed the company's strategic reorganization into two distinct divisions: a space business solutions group and a national security business group. This structural change reflects JSAT's commitment to addressing both commercial and sovereign market opportunities. He emphasized that the Japanese government's increased budget allocation for high-frequency data acquisition was well-timed for JSAT to invest in owned-and-operated observation satellites. Shimizu highlighted JSAT’s broader push toward vertical integration and service diversification, including expansion into LEO services and the development of sovereign capabilities for the Japanese government. He added that Japan’s Earth observation market remains largely driven by imagery sales, though it is expected to gradually shift toward data analytics as commercial adoption matures.

The sovereignty theme resonated throughout the discussions, with all panelists acknowledging that governments increasingly view space capabilities as critical defense infrastructure. However, the operators also recognized practical challenges in meeting local content requirements when domestic space industries lack comprehensive capabilities, underscoring the need to balance policy expectations with operational realities.

Relative to the discussions, S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan forecasts indicate a shift in the Asia-Pacific satellite communications market through 2032. Traditional pay TV subscriptions via satellite show minimal growth at 0.1% CAGR, while fixed-broadband subscriptions delivered via satellite are growing at 4.4% CAGR. Pay TV revenue is expected to decline slightly, while fixed broadband revenue is projected to grow. Against this backdrop, operators' emphasis on partnerships with LEO and investment in next-gen satellites reflects a strategic response to the market rebalancing, as data-centric services increasingly drive value creation while legacy video distribution continues to face structural headwinds.

The discussion concluded with a consensus that traditional satellite operators are not experiencing an identity crisis but rather an identity evolution. As the region’s space market continues its rapid expansion, the ability to navigate regulatory complexity, establish strategic partnerships, and invest in next-generation capabilities, including integrated architectures and emerging LEO-enabled services, will determine which operators thrive in this transformed landscape.

Global Broadband & Pay TV is a regular feature from S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan.

This article was published by S&P Global Market Intelligence and not by S&P Global Ratings, which is a separately managed division of S&P Global.