01 The definition and development process of satellite Internet

Satellite Internet is included in the “new infrastructure”

On April 20, 2020, the National Development and Reform Commission stated that the “information infrastructure” in the new infrastructure mainly refers to the infrastructure generated based on the evolution of a new generation of information technology, such as 5G, Internet of Things, industrial Internet, satellite The communication network infrastructure represented by the Internet, the computing power infrastructure represented by data centers and intelligent computing centers, etc.

Satellite Internet Definition Satellite Internet refers to the use of satellite constellations to achieve a seamless global Internet link service, which can be used as a complementary means for terrestrial communications to enable users to access the Internet, with communication coverage It has the characteristics of wide, large capacity, no geographical restrictions, and the advantages of information broadcasting.

The development process of satellite Internet Satellite Internet has a history of nearly 30 years of development, mainly experienced three development stages. In recent years, with the promotion and support of Internet giants such as Google and Facebook, innovative companies such as SpaceX and OneWeb in the United States have started to construct constellation systems composed of low-orbit small satellites, actively seizing new resources for space Internet access, triggering a global Development boom.

The first stage (late 1980s-2000)

development positioning: a comprehensive alternative to communication systems Representative enterprises: Iridium, Global Star, and Teledith

Construction subject: Telecom equipment enterprise

Market response : The market positioning is unclear, the construction results are too high, and the research and development cycle is too long. Most attempts have ended in failure.

The second stage (2000-2014)

Development positioning: backup of terrestrial communication system

Representative enterprise: New Iridium, Global Star and Orbital Communications Corporation

Main body of construction: Telecommunication equipment enterprise market response: The input cost and market positioning are more optimized and competitive, but the scale is limited.

The third phase (2014 to present)

Development positioning: Form a complementary and seamless communication network with terrestrial communications

Representative enterprise: Starlink, OneWeb

Main body of construction: Space X, OneWeb, Facebook and other Internet technology giants

Market response: Be a seamless complement to terrestrial communication systems with promising prospects


02 Satellite Internet Industry Chain Analysis

The satellite Internet industry chain mainly covers satellite manufacturing, satellite launch, ground base stations and terminal equipment, satellite operation services, etc. In this regard, the panoramic view of the satellite Internet industry chain is shown below.


Panorama of Satellite Internet Industry Chain

Satellite Manufacturing Including satellite matrix manufacturing, on-board payload manufacturing, on-board payload mainly includes instruments, equipment or subsystems that perform specific satellite missions. Satellite launch services mainly include launching site services and rocket development. Ground base stations and terminal equipment mainly include earth station equipment manufacturing, network equipment manufacturing, and terminal equipment manufacturing. Satellite operation services mainly include satellite live TV, satellite audio broadcasting, satellite broadband, satellite fixed communication services, satellite mobile communication services, and earth observation services.


03Development characteristics of the global satellite Internet

With the development of satellite communication technology and the reduction of satellite broadband costs, the bandwidth of high-throughput satellites is huge Stimulated by demand, domestic and foreignWith the upsurge in the development of networked constellations, satellite Internet has entered a new stage of development, showing the following characteristics:

Countries around the world have raised the construction of satellite Internet as a national strategy. Satellite Internet has become the focus of attention of countries all over the world due to its increasingly prominent national strategic position, potential market economic value, and scarce spatial frequency resources. Countries around the world have regarded satellite Internet as an important national development strategy and have successively released plans for satellite communication network construction.

Technical advancement has pushed satellite Internet input costs down significantly. In terms of satellite development, from non-standardization to standardization and from customization to modularization, the development cost has been effectively reduced. In terms of satellite launches, rocket launch and recovery technologies have been introduced, and the cost of launch has been greatly reduced. In terms of satellite communications, with the increase in satellite communications bandwidth from 100 Mbps to Gbps, the bandwidth carrying capacity has increased significantly.

The competition for air and space resources such as frequency and orbit is more intense. In the current international rules, the main forms of allocation of orbits and frequencies are “pre-registration and priority use” preemption and “fair” planning. In the face of limited frequency orbit resources and the deployment of thousands of satellite constellations, countries compete for Layout the satellite Internet ecosystem and take advantage of the construction of satellite Internet to seize the high ground of air and space resources.


04General situation of international satellite Internet development

The United States occupies the core position of global satellite Internet

In recent years, countries around the world have successively released plans for the construction of satellite communication networks. In particular, the rapid development of commercial aerospace in the United States has led the world in the technology and application of communication satellites. At present, the global satellite Internet constellation is mainly represented by satellite systems such as Starlink, OneWeb, O3b, Telesat:

The global satellite industry continues to grow, with the largest share of satellite operating services

In 2019, the global satellite industry ’s total revenue is about US $ 286 billion, accounting for about 77% of the global aerospace industry, an increase of 3.2% year-on-year. Look, satellite operation services and ground equipment manufacturing constitute the main body of the satellite industry, among which satellite operation services account for the largest proportion.


Global satellite industry revenue and growth rate (USD 100 million) Source: American Satellite Industry Association, CCID Consulting, May 2020

Data source of global satellite industry revenue breakdown structure: Source: American Satellite Industry Association, CCID Consulting, May 2020


05General situation of domestic satellite Internet development

China ’s satellite Internet development is in the ascendant Currently, China ’s commercial aerospace industry has started, and many satellite manufacturing companies have launched In the commercial satellite constellation plan, some companies have launched several satellites. At present, the constellations such as Starlink and OneWeb can be compared with the “Hongyan Constellation” and “Hongyun Project” of the low-orbit communication Internet constructed by China’s two major groups of China Aerospace Science and Technology and Aerospace Science and Industry.


China ’s major satellite Internet constellation plan

China ’s satellite Internet market will usher in explosive growth in 2019, China ’s satellite Internet market size Nearly 70 billion yuan, China ’s satellite Internet market is expected to exceed 80 billion yuan in 2020. Currently, China ’s number of satellites in orbit is at the forefront of the world, and the gradual opening of China ’s commercial aerospace market will drive the development of small communications satellites, rocket launches, and satellite communications With the development of the system terminal equipment and software application market, China’s satellite Internet will usher in an explosive development.


China ’s satellite Internet market size (100 million yuan)

Number of satellites in orbit in major countries (s)


06 Development Proposals

Strengthening the overall planning of frequency and orbit resources

actively tracking satellite The international rules on frequency and orbit resource management further focus on spatial strategic planning, strengthen the overall coordination of the world and the earth, formulate a special frequency orbit resource plan for the satellite Internet industry, and pay close attention to the declaration of satellite frequency orbit resources to strive for more More and better strategic resources.

Accelerate the cultivation of the satellite Internet industry ecology to further integrate the domestic satellite Internet industry-university-research main force, strengthen the commercial aerospace base (cluster) cultivation and construction, and promote the construction of “satellite manufacturing-launch-terminal-application” The linked industrial ecosystem improves the coordination level between the upstream and downstream of the industrial chain. At the same time, we will increase support for research and development of key core devices such as satellite terminal antennas, radio frequency devices, and chips to enhance the core competitiveness of the industry.

Encourage private enterprises to participate in the construction of satellite Internet to improve the policy environment and supporting facilities for private enterprises to participate in the construction of satellite Internet, and provide necessary preferential policies on taxation and other policies. As the high-end link of the satellite Internet industry value chain, satellite operation services should focus on guiding private enterprises to use satellite Internet to expand deeply into vertical industries such as telecommunication value-added services, Internet of Things links, and communication in special scenarios.

(Original title: CCID Consulting | Satellite Internet has been incorporated into the new infrastructure, opening a new era of world-world converged communications)