Global Mobile Radar - May 2017

SpaceX’s Q2 results highlight Starlink’s expanding role, with connectivity revenue up 66% year on year to $4.3 billion. Meanwhile, Rocket Lab’s proposed acquisition of Iridium underscores a broader shift towards vertical integration as satellite players seek greater control over spacecraft, launch, constellation operations and connectivity economics. Sovereignty is also emerging as a critical differentiator and reshaping the competitive landscape, making spectrum access, regulatory alignment, local infrastructure and operator integration increasingly important alongside scale, coverage and cost.

With a 33% rise in international visitors this year, MWC Shanghai speaks to China’s influence and gravitational pull on the regional Asian tech economy and reciprocal demand from buyers to see and be seen on the MWC stage in an already busy event calendar. The analysis here highlights the key takeaways and implications from the meetings, summits and announcements at the event.

The key takeaways in Q2 2026 are that satellite connectivity is shifting into a major strategic battleground and sovereignty is now a crucial question. A proposed SpaceX IPO at a very high valuation underscores expectations that Starlink will evolve beyond infrastructure into a direct competitor to mobile operators, particularly in mobile and AI-linked connectivity markets. However, the analysis suggests the realistic near-term revenue opportunity is far smaller than the headline figures imply, reinforcing that growth depends on execution of next-generation satellite deployments rather than total market substitution.