The World Teleport Association (WTA) has now published the organization's annual rankings for the Top Teleport Operators of 2017 — the annual rankings of companies by revenue and revenue growth are compiled by surveying teleport operators around the world as well as referencing the published results of publicly-held companies.
Executive Director Robert Bell reported that the teleport industry becomes more complex every year in terms of ownership, acquisition and competitive dynamics. Satellite operators are investing in and partnering closely with teleports, while acquisitions drive the growth of some of the new 'majors' in the business. Competitive pressure is rising within the sector but teleports are also increasingly competing and partnering with data centers, cloud service providers and telcos. The Top Operators of 2018 list reflects all of these changing conditions.
In May 2018, WTA will publish its annual Inside the Top Operators report that will provide a more detailed analysis of survey results.
The Independent Top Twenty
The Independent Top Twenty ranks teleport operators based on revenue from all sources. The list focuses on the independent operators at the core of the business, excluding companies whose primary business is ownership and operation of a satellite fleet or terrestrial network. In order from largest to smallest, the Independent Top Twenty of 2017 are:
- Global Eagle (USA)
- Telespazio S.p.A. (Italy)
- Globecast (France)
- Encompass Digital Media (USA)
- Arqiva (UK)
- Speedcast (China)
- Globecomm (USA)
- elstra Corporation (Australia)
- du (UAE)
- Etisalat (UAE)
- PlanetCast Media Services (India)
- Media Broadcast Satellite (Germany)
- Global Data Systems (USA)
- Axesat (Columbia)
- Signalhorn Trusted Networks (Germany)
- Jordan Media City (Jordan)
- STN (Slovenia)
- Elara Comunicaciones SA (Mexico)
- US Electrodynamics (USA)
- CETel (Germany)
The Global Top Twenty
The Global Top Twenty ranks companies based on revenues from all customized communications sources and includes operators of teleports and satellite fleets. In order from largest to smallest, the Global Top Twenty of 2017 are:
- SES (Luxembourg)
- Intelsat S.A. (Luxembourg)
- Eutelsat (France)
- Telesat (Canada)
- EchoStar Satellite Services (USA)
- Global Eagle (USA) *
- Telespazio S.p.A. (Italy)
- Globecast (France) *
- SingTel Satellite (Singapore)
- Thaicom Public Company Ltd (Thailand)
- Encompass Digital Media (USA) *
- Hispasat (Spain)
- Arqiva (UK) *
- Optus (Australia)
- Speedcast (Australia) *
- Russian Satellite Communications Company (Russia)
- Globecomm (USA) *
- AsiaSat (China)
- MEASAT (Malaysia)
- Telenor Satellite (Norway)
* Independent: does not operate satellite capacity
The "Fast Twenty”
The Fast Twenty ranks all teleport-operating companies based on year-over-year revenue growth in their most recent fiscal years. Santander Teleport, a small company in Spain, was the fastest of the fast with a 37 percent year-over-year growth rate. Ranked by revenue growth, the Fast Twenty of 2017 are:
- Santander Teleport (Spain)
- Etisalat (UAE)
- Speedcast (Australia) *
- US Electrodynamics (USA)
- Russian Satellite Communications Company (Russia)
- PlanetCast Media Services (India) *
- Gazprom Space Systems (Russia)
- MEASAT (Malaysia)
- du (UAE) *
- Globecast (France) *
- Hispasat (Spain)
- Satellite Mediaport Services (UK)
- Elara Comunicaciones SA (Mexico) *
- SES (Luxembourg)
- Encompass Digital Media (USA)
- CETel (Germany)
- Milano Teleport S.p.A. (Italy) *
- Telstra Corporation (Australia) *
- Singtel Satellite (Singapore)
- Optus (Australia)
* Independent: does not operate satellite capacity
Since 1985, the World Teleport Association has focused on improving the business of satellite communications from the ground up. At the core of its membership are the world's most innovative operators of teleports, from independents to multinationals, niche service providers to global carriers. WTA is dedicated to advocating for the interests of teleport operators in the global telecommunications market and promoting excellence in teleport business practice, technology and operations.