UAE Satellite Communication - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts 2019 - 2029

UAE Satellite Communication - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts 2019 - 2029

The UAE Satellite Communication Market size is estimated at USD 0.82 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 1.23 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 7.02% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Key Highlights

• The UAE satellite communications market is driven by the increasing demand for reliable and high-speed communications networks, the increasing development of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites by leading market vendors, and the rising demand from various end-user industries.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the satellite communication industry in UAE owing to the supply chain disruptions and production challenges due to the lockdowns. However, satellite communications technology, including that deployed by the UAE's operators, has already played a pivotal role in the ability to host webinars, virtual gatherings, and meetings during COVID-19.
• The UAE satellite communication industry has witnessed substantial growth in the past few years with innovative launches coupled with growing demand from the country's public and private sectors for satellite communication services. According to the data from the TDRA, the UAE operates nine satellites and provides Mobile Satellite Service, Fixed Satellite Service, Broadcasting Satellite Service, and Remote Sensing services.
• Moreover, with the rising demand for enhanced connectivity, as technologies like IoT, AI, and blockchain are gaining significant traction in end-user industries, satellite connectivity can empower communities and businesses in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Thus providing growth prospects for the studied market in the coming years.
• Further, factors like the growing demand for mobile broadband and the growing use of smartphones and smart wearable devices, coupled with the widespread adoption of 5G in the country, are expected to aid the growth of the market studied. Market vendors are indulging in the launch of innovative solutions, thus positively impacting the market's growth.
• For instance, in March 2023, Etisalat in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched the country's first 5G satellite communications solution in collaboration with Eutelsat. Etisalat has implemented Eutelsat's latesQuantum Ku-band satellite technology with the recently installed state-of-the-art Newtech Dialog Hub, enhancing the mobile network capability.

UAE Satellite Communication Market Trends

Growing IoT Applications and Technological Advancements in Various Industries

• Various end-user industries in the country are going under significant digital transformation over the past few years with the adoption of advanced technologies and IoT. Modern-day businesses and organizations rely on IoT to enable intelligent data conversations, helping them track, monitor and manage assets, ensure the safety of their workers, and improve remote operations. This has led to significant adoption of satellite communications in IoT applications.
• Moreover, various sectors and industries in the country are rapidly deploying advanced technologies such as Artificial intelligence, Machine learning, etc., which is expected to drive the demand for satellite communication in various end-user industries over the forecast period. For instance, according to DP World; Jafza; Seyfarth, by 2035, AI's contribution to the economy of the United Arab Emirates in the financial services sector is expected to be USD 37 billion, followed by USD 22 Billion in healthcare and USD 19 billion in transport storage.
• Further, the country's oil and gas sector is witnessing significant adoption of IoT and other technological advancements, requiring satellite communications solutions. Oil and gas sector business operations extend to geographically remote environments and depend on satellites to provide the critical communication means for remote facility monitoring and real-time asset management at unmanned sites and offshore platforms.
• Market vendors are launching innovative solutions in line with the increasing IoT applications across various industries in the country. For instance, in May 2023, Thuraya, the mobility arm of the UAE's flagship satellite solutions provider, Yahsat and eSAT Global announced to complete an over-the-air demonstration of a low-latency, direct-to-satellite IoT texting system by transmitting low-power IoT messages over Thuraya's satellite network (Thuraya-2 Satellite 'T2').

Maritime Segment is Expected to Witness Significant Growth

• Satellite communication in maritime applications has become vital, demanding customizable satellite products that provide signal transmission and reception for military, commercial, and recreational applications worldwide. The country's maritime sector is also witnessing substantial demand for satellite communications, with market vendors gaining contracts.
• For instance, in March 2022, Yahsat, Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC's government division, Yahsat Government Solutions (YGS), announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Al Seer Marine PJSC, the region's leading maritime company, to test line-fitting unmanned vessels with advanced Comms-on-the-Move (COTM) satellite communications solutions. The agreement will allow Al Seer Marine to capitalize on Yahsat's significant experience in providing highly secure satellite communications services for mission-critical safety and security applications such as COTM and Beyond Line of Sight (BLoS).
• Maritime connectivity has become crucial in the shipping industry as the pressure for operators to meet commercial demands increases. The increasing demand for vessel monitoring in the country's maritime industry is further augmenting the growth of the market at a rapid pace. For instance, according to the data from the Dubai Statistics Center, in 2021, 19,123 vessel callings to the ports of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This was an increase from 2020, in which there were 18,144 vessel callings to the ports of Dubai.
• Moreover, communications in the maritime industry must withstand harsh environmental conditions and provide agile, flexible, and reliable connectivity because of the ships' remote locations, which can be made possible through satellite. Hence due to a broad range of applications in the sector, the Maritime industry is expected to provide substantial demand for satellite communications over the forecast period.

UAE Satellite Communication Industry Overview

The UAE Satellite communications market is moderately consolidated with the presence of significant market players such as Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC (Yahsat), e& Etisalat and, etc., holding a significant market share. The market vendors ar incorporating advanced technologies in their SATCOM portfolio and continuously focusing on launching innovative solutions to gain significant traction from end-user industries.

• May 2023 - Bayanat, a leading provider of AI-powered geospatial solutions, and Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC (Yahsat), the UAE's flagship satellite solutions provider, announced a collaboration for a comprehensive Space Program. The space program is aimed at building Earth Observation (EO) capabilities and national satellite remote sensing within the United Arab Emirates to commercially address business opportunities in the local and global EO market.
• May 2023 - Etisalat by e& has announced a new Maritime SATCOMS portfolio of services for all vessels operating in United Arabe Emiratesterritorial waters and beyond, including the 16 countries and 164 million customers served by the company in the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa. The newly launched maritime SATCOMS services cater to the needs of the regional maritime industry, offering fully managed marine services compliance with local legislation to vessels operating in the region from an ICT solutions provider. The service provides a fully managed, comprehensive maritime service and equipment solution for all sizes of commercial vessels, private yachts, and oil barges, catering to a wide range of coverage needs.

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