Interview: Michael Trabbia, CEO of Orange’s wholesale division, emphasized the company’s adaptability to different technologies, including satellite solutions. However, he downplayed expectations regarding its significance in the telecom industry.
In a conversation on the latest Mobile World Live Podcast, Trabbia stressed Orange’s commitment to offering the most suitable connectivity options, whether terrestrial, fiber, or satellite.
Trabbia highlighted satellite’s practicality for backhaul, B2B, and B2C applications, especially for connecting underserved areas in Africa and the Middle East.
However, Trabbia dismissed the idea of satellite replacing terrestrial networks, stating it lacks credibility.
Regarding the telecom market, Trabbia noted satellite’s relatively small share, around €20 billion, representing only 1% to 2% of the total value. He expected limited growth in this sector.
Trabbia outlined various challenges facing satellite technology, including cost, physical limitations, capacity constraints, and the efficiency of submarine cables for long-distance communications.
Trabbia also acknowledged the competitive nature of the satellite industry, recognizing the importance of scale and suggesting potential industry consolidation or exits in the future.
