Abundant capacity and changing business models are reshaping satellite communications pricing
Paris, France | October 2026 – Pricing across geostationary (GEO) and non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite networks is beginning to converge as new capacity, intensifying competition, and evolving business models reshape the satellite communications market, according to the latest Novaspace Capacity Pricing Trends Database.
After years of aggressive discounting to gain market share, NGSO operators are beginning to adopt more sustainable pricing strategies. At the same time, improving satellite economics and greater capacity availability continue to enable GEO operators to compete on price.
“As satellite connectivity becomes increasingly commoditized, operators are shifting from pricing based on scarcity toward pricing based on the value delivered to customers and applications,” said Grace Khanuja, Senior Manager at Novaspace. “Competitive advantage increasingly depends on how operators turn connectivity into solutions that deliver measurable value.”
Data connectivity pricing continues to decline, with some segments recording year-over-year decreases of up to 10% as new capacity enters service and competition intensifies. Video has proven more resilient, although customers are increasingly opting for shorter contracts and lower capacity commitments.
Pricing dynamics also vary significantly by market. Mobility remains highly competitive as operators pursue growth across aviation, maritime, and land applications, while military satellite communications pricing remains resilient amid constrained supply in strategic frequency bands and sustained demand.
Regional differences remain pronounced. Limited additions of GEO capacity have helped sustain pricing in Sub-Saharan Africa, while Indonesia illustrates how the introduction of new high-throughput satellite capacity can rapidly alter pricing dynamics and customer expectations.
“Consumer satellite services are now available for as little as $0.03 per GB,” said Blaine Curcio, Senior Advisor at Novaspace. “As capacity expands, differentiation will increasingly depend on what operators build on top of the network, from applications and service quality to the overall customer experience.”
About Capacity Pricing Trends
Novaspace’s Capacity Pricing Trends Database provides pricing benchmarks and analysis across regions, frequency bands, applications, and satellite architectures, including GEO and NGSO systems and HTS and conventional capacity.
The latest edition expands coverage of consumer and SME satellite communications services across GEO and NGSO providers and introduces a dedicated Starlink terminal pricing database, enabling analysis of equipment costs across product categories and geographic markets.
About Novaspace
Novaspace is a leading independent consulting and market intelligence firm dedicated to the global space sector. With more than 40 years of industry expertise, Novaspace supports public and private organizations across the space value chain through management and technology consulting, market intelligence, and executive summits.
Trusted by more than 1,200 clients in over 60 countries, Novaspace operates globally with offices in Bangalore, Brussels, London, Montreal, Munich, Paris, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toulouse, and Washington, D.C.
Visit nova.space for more information.