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Starlink Poised for IPO: A Global Connectivity Powerhouse
NEWS PROVIDED BY
Idem Est Research & Advisory
13 August 2024, 16:00 AEST
Idem Est Research predicts USD 15 billion bet to pay off for Starlink
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Starlink, the satellite internet service developed by SpaceX, could be on the cusp of launching an Initial Public Offering (IPO) as the company would have spent an estimated USD15 billion by 2025. Operating a constellation of over 6,700 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, Starlink leads the satellite broadband market, with an unprecedented expansion into over 82 countries and a rapidly growing subscriber base of 3.4m by July 2024.
Global Reach: Starlink’s Expanding Footprint
Starlink has rapidly expanded its services across the globe, offering high-speed, low-latency internet to some of the most remote and underserved regions. From 2.2m subscribers by the end of 2023 to 3.4m by July 2024, Starlink serves approximately 3.4 million subscribers across 82 countries, making it the largest satellite internet provider by a significant margin.
North America: The Largest Market
North America remains Starlink’s most significant market, accounting for approximately 65% of its total subscriber base. The United States leads with 1.36 million subscribers, followed by Canada with 510,000 and Mexico with 325,000. The consistent demand across these countries underscores the importance of reliable and fast internet, particularly in rural and remote areas where traditional broadband services fall short.
Europe: A Growing Market
Europe is Starlink’s second-largest market, representing about 10% of its subscribers. The United Kingdom, Germany, and France lead the region, with Germany alone accounting for over 72,000 subscribers. The continued rollout across Europe is expected to drive significant growth, particularly in regions with poor terrestrial broadband infrastructure.
Asia and Africa: The Next Frontier
Starlink’s expansion into Asia and Africa represents a critical growth area for the company. These regions, currently making up about 10% of the subscriber base, are expected to see substantial increases as new countries come online. Key markets include Nigeria, which already has over 54,000 subscribers, and the Philippines, with more than 85,000 subscribers as of July 2024. The ongoing launches in countries like Indonesia and India are anticipated to drive further subscriber growth.
Oceania and South America: Growing Markets
Oceania, led by Australia with 208,000 subscribers, and South America, where Brazil and Chile lead with 95,000 and 46,000 subscribers respectively, represent emerging markets with strong growth potential. The adoption of Starlink in these regions highlights the demand for reliable internet in areas with challenging geography and limited infrastructure.
Strategic Milestones: Preparing for an IPO
Starlink’s path to an IPO is marked by significant strategic milestones that demonstrate its market readiness:
Global Coverage Expansion: With active services in over 82 countries and plans to enter over 70 additional markets in 2024 and 2025, Starlink’s global footprint is unmatched in the satellite internet industry. This unique extensive reach provides a robust foundation for sustained revenue growth.
Technological Advancements: Starlink’s next-generation satellites, including the “V2 mini” and V2-mini-DTC) satellites, offer four times the capacity of previous models. This technological leap is expected to enhance service quality and increase subscriber capacity, positioning Starlink as a leader in satellite broadband. Starlink is preparing to launch its Direct-to-Cell (DTC) services, which will enable SMS, voice, and data connectivity directly to 4G and 5G smartphones via its advanced satellite network, starting in late 2024.
Financial Growth: Starlink’s revenue growth has been exponential, with projections indicating revenue of $3.7 billion by the end of 2024. This strong financial performance, coupled with an improving EBITDA margin, underscores the company’s profitability potential.
Free Cash Flow Positive by 2026: Idem Est Research expects Starlink to reach a free cash flow position by 2026 and an enterprise value of USD115 billion.
Regulatory and Geopolitical Positioning: Starlink’s operations are deeply enmeshed in global geopolitics, offering not just commercial services but also strategic partnerships and solutions in regions with limited connectivity. This positioning enhances Starlink’s appeal as a global service provider with a significant role in international relations.
Infrastructure Investments: Significant investments of over USD11 billion in satellites, ground stations, optical inter-satellite links, and user terminals have fortified Starlink’s infrastructure, ensuring reliability and scalability as the company expands. These investments are crucial as Starlink prepares to meet the growing demand across diverse markets.
Investor Interest and Market Impact
The anticipation surrounding Starlink’s IPO is palpable, with investors eager to gain exposure to one of the most promising ventures in the global telecommunications landscape. The IPO is expected to provide the capital necessary for further expansion, including the deployment of additional satellites and the exploration of new markets.
Starlink’s IPO will also have significant implications for the broader market. As a pioneer in satellite internet, Starlink’s public offering is likely to influence investor sentiment towards other space-related ventures, including competitors and suppliers within the satellite and telecommunications industries.
Conclusion
As Starlink approaches its IPO, the company is well-positioned to capitalise on its extensive global reach, technological innovation, and robust financial performance. “Starlink leads the global broadband satellite market, creating an economic and technological flywheel that gives it a significant strategic and competitive edge over its closest competitors, OneWeb and Kuiper,” says Landry Fevre, Director of Idem Est Research & Advisory.
KEY COMPANIES MENTIONED IN THIS ASIA PACIFIC SATELLITE INTERNET MARKET REPORT:
AST Spacemobile, Eutelsat, Globalstar, Inmarsat, IPStar, Kacific, Kuiper, Lynk, Measat, NBN, OneWeb, SpaceX, Starlink, Viasat.
Download the full report: https://idemest.com/reports/starlink-company-profile/
For media inquiries, please contact:
Landry Fevre
landry@idemest.com
About Idem Est Research Advisory
Idem Est Research and Advisory is a boutique telecommunications and digital infrastructure market research and advisory. Idem Est Research provides leading telecoms research helping our clients stay updated on the latest telecoms sector and digital infrastructure developments. The reports provide analyses of mobile and broadband markets, capital expenditure, forecasts, key telecom trends and thematic such as 5G and telecoms digital infrastructure, as well as other statistics of the telco industry.
Our independent approach allows us to place the trends and drivers fully into context and analyse the industry from different, unbiased perspectives. Alongside the facts and figures, Idem Est Research draws on three decades of experience to provide incisive commentary and analysis. This brings visibility to the business drivers, challenges, decision-making and future direction of the telecoms sector.
To learn more, visit www.idemest.com
This release was published on openPR.