Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 0.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £2.9bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The government's aggressive goal to enlarge its global space sector footprint aids satellite communication businesses
- The Space Industry Act 2018 aims to help the UK capture a growing share of the global space sector; the legislation introduced a policy that encourages innovation across the satellite IT&T market.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Failing to replace lost European initiatives creates challenges for the UK satellite industry
- The Galileo and EGNOS systems are European satellite navigation and augmentation systems that provide critical positioning, navigation, and timing data. The lack of an alternative to these systems for the UK means potential vulnerabilities in national security, as the country remains reliant on non-domestic infrastructure. This highlights the need to develop independent capabilities for the UK industry, which could drive future investment in domestic satellite technology and strengthen national resilience.
Biggest companies in the Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (£m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Airbus Defence and Space Ltd | 548.5 | |
SES SA | 208.7 | |
Arqiva Ltd | 173.4 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Broadcasting, Communications and Earth observation and other services. Broadcasting is the largest segment of the Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Broadcasting remains on top, but declines due to over-the-top multimedia services
- Broadcasting is traditionally provided via fixed satellite services. Geostationary orbit satellites are stationery and satellite aerials are aimed at them. The same satellite dish can be used for satellite TV and internet services.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Industry participants operate, maintain and provide access to satellite infrastructure to transmit voice, data, text, sound and video. They may also transmit visual, aural or textual programming to consumers via direct-to-home satellite systems.
What's included in this industry?
BroadcastingCommunicationsEarth observationMeteorologyAstronomyReconnaissance satellitesCompanies
Airbus Defence and Space LtdSES SAArqiva LtdPurchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
FIXED SATELLITE SERVICEMOBILE SATELLITE SERVICEGEOSTATIONARY SATELLITETELEPORTM2MIndustry Code
SIC 61.30 - Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Expanding capabilities boost sales for satcom companies. Companies have launched projects to improve coverage, speed and continuity of service. Providing high-speed internet ...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Multimedia services eat away at satellite broadcasting. Despite the number of satellite TV channels continuing to edge upward, household uptake of satellite TV has plateaued,...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
London and the South East dominate. Collectively, they hold nearly half of the UK’s satcom companies. They’re both densely populated, with plenty of talented tech staff, and ...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Maintaining a strong service quality is essential. Clients must be able to rely on satellite access, especially given its many uses for critical purposes. Capacity and covera...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Airbus provides key services to the Ministry of Defence. It won a new contract in July 2020, worth over £500 million, giving a huge boost to revenue over the long term.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Airbus Defence and Space Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of SES SA's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Arqiva Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Airbus Defence and Space Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for SES SA, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Arqiva Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 3 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Numerous government programmes drive satcom services forward. These include the General Support Technology Programme, the National Space Innovation Programme and the Space-Ba...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profit remains strong. The satellite IT&T sector is witnessing a rebound in profitability, propelled by reduced input costs and heightened demand for its services
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
- Assets (2018-2022)
- Liabilities (2018-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £2.9bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK industry in 2024?
There are 187 businesses in the Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.3 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 0.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Satellite Telecommunications Activities market in United Kingdom are Airbus Defence and Space Ltd, SES SA and Arqiva Ltd
What does the Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Broadcasting and Communications are part of the Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Airbus Defence and Space Ltd.
How competitive is the Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Satellite Telecommunications Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
Related Industries
Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Wired Telecommunications Carriers in the UK
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the UK
Complementors
- Radio Broadcasting in the UK
- Television Programming & Broadcasting in the UK
International industries
- Satellite Telecommunications Providers in the US
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in Canada
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in Australia
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in New Zealand
- Satellite Transmission Services in China
View all industries in United Kingdom
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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