Rural broadband: getting up to speed

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.

South Korea is a connectivity leader: it scores as a top performer across various metrics relating to network quality and intensity of use. However, the country attracted international attention in 2016 when it moved to a new model of governing interconnections between the largest network operators. Nearly 10 years since, the regulation model still attracts attention and commentary. We revisit the case of South Korea and examine the real-world impacts regulation had using data on key consumer indicators and how the country has fared against peers.

Fixed markets continue to evolve around the world, with technology investments, competition, M&A and shifting consumer behaviour being major drivers. This quarterly series outlines the latest market developments and the key trends to watch, charting the period to 2030. The report also provides comprehensive cross-country comparisons at your fingertips, allowing you to identify which markets or technologies will grow the most.