Ku and C bands have been the most overused radio waves in the satellite communications industry. These bands are also used for digital TV broadcasting. Amid the looming crisis in bandwidth scarcity, satellite communications can be improved by utilizing other radio wave spectrums. A growing number of satellite broadband firms are shifting to the Ka-band spectrum. For instance, Newsat, Optus and other global teleport services companies have launched Ka-band payload or dedicated Ka-band satellites in an effort to take advantage of the benefits of the high frequency of this new spectrum.

With throughput exceeding that of Ku- and C-bands, Ka-band will surely increase the demand for satellite communications as it replaces low frequency radio waves. The Ka spectrum supports multi-spot beam capability and boasts of dynamic signal strength allocation. It’s no wonder that market observers consider Ka-band as the new standard for future satellite communication models.

Cost Impedes Fast Market Development

The high price of satellite dishes and costly subscription plan are preventing the fast growth of Ka satellite broadband. So far, teleport operators and satellite providers cannot afford to subsidize the cost. The prospect of slow market acceptance must be prompting satellite broadband carriers to think twice about major migration, especially now that the financial market has barely recovered from global economic slowdown.

However, the industry has promising growth prospects. It is far more probable that the Ka-band carriers will prosper in the event that the pioneers  prove that the new spectrum will create decent amount of profits. Satellite broadband companies, financial backers and teleport operators will be  more confident in investing on Ka-band satellites if that happens. 

The corporate market is likely to provide the most revenues to the Ka-band technology during its early stage. Through faster connections. companies can provide added value and enjoy operational and logistical simplicity as they get to consolidate voice transmission and a variety of high-bandwidth applications under one service provider.

Operators with existing models focusing on consumer or small office or small office/home office (SOHO) market will be needing to capitalize on the more viable enterprise market. The satellite broadband's failure to match the speed of traditional broadband will slow acceptance rate among these segments. Nevertheless, Ka-band will gain more followers as the price gap improves.

In Australia, the national broadband development plan is expected to pave the way for more Ka-band satellite infrastructures that will benefit rural areas.  Gilat of Israel has been contracted by the government to construct 11 SkyEdge II hubs and 20,000 SkyEdge II VSATs for three years, with an expansion option that could bring the number to 48,000.