en.Wedoany.com Reported - Regional satellite operators in the Asia-Pacific are undergoing a strategic transformation, evolving from traditional satellite capacity providers into multi-orbit space service companies and solution integrators. Facing the rise of large low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations and the consolidation of global satellite operators, several operators told Via Satellite that the core of competition has shifted from owning orbital slots and infrastructure to delivering solutions.
AsiaSat CEO Roger Tong described this phase as "the toughest but also the most exciting period." He noted that the number one challenge for operators is accepting that the old business model is gone, and they must focus on horizontal and vertical collaboration to lower costs, increase agility, and integrate service delivery.
Thaicom CEO Nile Suwansiri emphasized that regional operators, leveraging their "hyper-local" advantages, play a unique role in market access, landing rights, local infrastructure, and customer relationships. He stated that the right competitive strategy is not to outspend global LEO operators, but to combine global space infrastructure with local trust, regulatory access, and service delivery.
KT SAT CEO Kevin Choi proposed an "Operator 2.0" model, arguing that future success will depend on the ability to orchestrate across GEO, LEO, direct-to-device, terrestrial, cloud, and artificial intelligence technologies, rather than the number of assets an operator owns.
Several regional operators believe that Starlink has changed industry expectations and driven the shift toward integrated services. Measat, KT SAT, and Sky Perfect JSAT all serve as Starlink resellers in their respective countries. Thaicom recently became an early partner of Amazon's Project Kuiper, viewing it as a model for transitioning into a multi-orbit company. Measat COO Yau Chyong Lim stated that customers buy outcomes, not orbits, and that GEO and LEO are not a zero-sum game; hybrid multi-orbit solutions are the way forward.
Driven by global sovereign space initiatives, regional operators see opportunities to meet local needs. KT SAT views sovereign connectivity as a strategic area, enhancing government and defense capabilities through a multi-layered resilient architecture integrating GEO, LEO, and terrestrial networks. Thaicom sees opportunities across three layers—infrastructure, geospatial data, and sovereignty—aiming to support governments in providing secure and resilient space services. AsiaSat, meanwhile, emphasizes its commercial positioning, staying out of geopolitics and adhering to the principle of fair access to space.
In terms of capital expenditure strategies, regional operators are cautiously evaluating their next-generation satellite fleets. AsiaSat, having experienced a period of relatively no capital expenditure, stated it will not rush into replacements but will seek opportunities requiring new infrastructure or vertical integration capabilities. Some operators have turned to emerging GEO manufacturers: Thaicom ordered Thaicom-9 from Astranis; KT SAT ordered a satellite from AscendArc; and Sky Perfect JSAT's joint venture Space Compass ordered a satellite from Swissto12. Measat is replacing MEASAT-3b but emphasized it will not be a simple one-for-one replacement; the new satellite will integrate more advanced flexible payload capabilities.
Sky Perfect JSAT's capital expenditure has extended beyond communications satellites, including the procurement of 10 high-resolution Pelican satellites from Planet, as well as two software-defined satellites planned for launch in 2027 and 2029. The operator plans to invest 150 billion yen (approximately $940 million) in its space business between fiscal years 2026 and 2027, aiming to position itself as a multi-orbit solution provider.
Looking ahead, operators generally agree that the traditional model is no longer sufficient. Sky Perfect JSAT Managing Director and President of the Space Business Division, Teruo Yamashita, described an "Operator 2.0" vision based on multi-orbit architecture, strong partnerships, and a transformation into a data and solution provider. Measat COO Lim pointed out that the roadmap to profitability is built on capital discipline and focused execution, including anchoring revenue on long-term government and enterprise demand, and sharing costs through partnerships. AsiaSat CEO Tong concluded that the days of GEO operators as orbital "landlords" are over, and the path to profitability requires decisive execution and an open collaborative mindset.
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