Hispasat
Hispasat is a Madrid-based geostationary satellite operator serving telecom operators, broadcasters, governments, and mobility customers across Europe, Latin America, and beyond through wholesale capacity, managed services, video distribution, and sovereign secure communications including IRIS² and QKD programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersMadrid, Spain
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Hispasat does
Hispasat, S.A. is a Madrid-headquartered geostationary (GEO) satellite operator founded in 1989, providing wholesale satellite capacity, managed connectivity services, video distribution, and government/defense communications across Europe, Latin America, North America, and select African and Middle Eastern markets. It controls orbital positions at 30°W, 36°W, 61°W, and 74°W, operating a fleet that includes Hispasat 30W-5/6, Hispasat 36W-1, Hispasat 74W-1, Amazonas 2/3/5, and the 2023-launched Amazonas Nexus high-throughput satellite with a Digital Transparent Processor (DTP). The company runs an owned ground infrastructure of teleport and satellite control centers, notably the Serviente facility in Rio de Janeiro (33 antennas, 30,000 m²) and the Lurín telepuerto in Peru, supplemented by wholly-owned regional subsidiaries and the acquired AXESS Networks teleport footprint across Latin America, Europe, and Africa.
Hispasat commercializes its capacity through multi-year wholesale contracts to telecom operators and ISPs (NOS, DISH Mexico, CFE TEIT, Entel Chile, Intelsat), DTH and OTT video distribution (Wave OTT / Wave OTT Plus), mobility connectivity for aviation and maritime (Gogo, Omniaccess), and government/defense solutions including secure comms, telemedicine (Comitas e-Health), digital classrooms, and emergency response. New technology lines span multi-orbit (GEO + LEO) architectures, 5G NTN integration (TRANTOR, 5G-HUB), and pioneering satellite-based quantum key distribution (QKD-GEO with Thales Alenia Space and ESA; Q-Design multi-orbit), positioning the company for sovereign European infrastructure programs.
Since December 2025 the company has been an 89.68%-owned subsidiary of Indra Group (acquired for €725M) operating as part of the Indra Space division alongside Hisdesat, Deimos, and TESS Defence. Revenue streams are wholesale capacity leasing, managed services, video/audiovisual distribution, government satellite solutions, and mobility connectivity, with multi-year enterprise and government contracts as the dominant commercial model; consumer-facing exposure is largely indirect, via wholesalers and the Spanish rural connectivity initiative Conectate35.
Hispasat firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hispasat
- Legal name
- HispaSat, S.A.
- Website
- https://hispasat.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Hispasat is a Madrid-based geostationary satellite operator serving telecom operators, broadcasters, governments, and mobility customers across Europe, Latin America, and beyond through wholesale capacity, managed services, video distribution, and sovereign secure communications including IRIS² and QKD programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hispasat industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Satellite Communications Services
- NAICS
- Satellite Telecommunications (5174)
- SIC
- Communications Services, Nec (4899)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services) (HDAIAJAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Satellite Broadband Internet Access (Consumer/SMB) (HDAIAJAA), Enterprise Satellite Connectivity & Managed Services (VSAT, SD-WAN over Satcom) (HDAIAJAB), Satellite Mobility Connectivity (Maritime, Aviation, Rail, Land Mobile) (HDAIAJAD), Satellite Video & Media Distribution (DTH, Contribution/Distribution, Occasional Use) (HDAIAJAG), Satellite Backhaul & Trunking for Telecom Operators (Cellular Backhaul, Roaming Extension) (HDAIAJAC), Satellite Wholesale Capacity & Backhaul (transponder/HTS capacity, teleport services) (HDAIAEAJ)
Keywords
Where Hispasat is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Madrid
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices8 records
Markets served
Hispasat business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Satellite Capacity Leasing: Wholesale leasing of satellite transponder capacity to telecommunications operators, ISPs, broadcasters, and enterprise customers across multiple frequency bands (Ku, Ka, C) and coverage areas.
- Managed Services: End-to-end managed satellite solutions including turnkey connectivity, network management, and operational support for government, enterprise, and mobility customers.
- Video/Audiovisual Distribution: Direct-to-Home (DTH), contribution, and distribution services for television channels and content providers across Latin America and Europe.
- Government Satellite Solutions: Secure satellite communications services for government and defense applications, including the PAZ-2 radar imagery partnership and emergency response connectivity.
- Mobility Connectivity: In-flight and maritime connectivity services for airlines, cruise lines, and maritime operators using dedicated high-throughput satellite capacity.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Wholesale satellite capacity contracts |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Hispasat product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hispasat is a Spanish satellite operator that owns and operates a fleet of geostationary satellites positioned at 30°W, 36°W, 61°W and 74°W, providing wholesale satellite capacity and managed telecommunications services. It delivers broadband connectivity, video distribution (DTH and OTT), cellular backhaul, in-flight and maritime connectivity, and secure government communications across Europe, Latin America, North Africa, and North America. The company is a key contributor to Europe's IRIS² sovereign secure communications constellation and is pioneering satellite-based quantum key distribution.
Product overview
Hispasat is a Madrid-based satellite operator and provider of satellite communications solutions. The company operates a fleet of geostationary satellites (HispaSat 30W-5, HispaSat 30W-6, HispaSat 36W-1, HispaSat 74W-1, Amazonas 2, Amazonas 3, Amazonas 5, and Amazonas Nexus) providing telecommunications services across Europe, Latin America, North Africa, and maritime/aeronautical mobility markets. Hispasat offers a comprehensive portfolio of satellite solutions including broadband connectivity, cellular backhaul, video distribution (DTH, OTT, contribution), government services (emergency, defense, telemedicine, digital classroom), and enterprise solutions (VSAT, private networks, tower monitoring, fire detection). The company has been expanding into multi-orbit services, quantum key distribution (QKD), and 5G NTN integration as part of European sovereign infrastructure projects like IRIS².
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Conéctate35: Satellite internet service for rural Spain targeting 100 Mbps connectivity to bridge the digital divide.
- Wave OTT
- Tower Insight
- Bseed WATCH
Quantifiable outcome
- Connected over 2,300 mobile cellular base stations from space
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Hispasat
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Hispasat technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Hispasat partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- TRANTOR Project ConsortiumcoreEuropean Horizon Europe-funded project for 5G Advanced and pre-6G satellite networks. Successfully completed first 5G NTN transmission in Europe using a Hispasat satellite. Focused on multi-orbit, multi-band satellite network technologies for future connectivity applications over three-year period.
- 5G-HUB Project PartnerscoreEU Agency for Space Programme (EUSPA) funded initiative integrating terrestrial 5G with non-terrestrial satellite networks for mission-critical services. Partners include Hisdesat, Hispasat, Indra Sistemas, Indra Espacio, Onesource, and Telecom Italia Spa within GOVSATCOM framework supporting IRIS².
- Airbus Defence and Space / HisdesatcoreExtended partnership to commercialize imagery from PAZ-2 radar satellites, building on collaboration since 2018. New satellites will enhance radar imaging capabilities for military and civil uses with services expected by 2031.
- Indra GroupflagshipIndra Group acquired 89.68% stake in Hispasat in December 2025 for €725 million, making Hispasat part of Indra Space division. Also achieved controlling stake in Hisdesat. Transaction approved by regulators to enhance capabilities in secure communications, satellite manufacturing, and space programs.
- ESA (European Space Agency)coreAgreement to develop first QKD system combining GEO and LEO satellite key delivery (Q-Design project) with 15-company consortium. ESA managing the initiative while Hispasat leads mission design and business development for combined-orbit quantum key distribution.
- Thales Alenia Space / ESAcoreJanuary 2025 collaboration between Thales Alenia Space and Hispasat to develop satellite-based QKD from geostationary orbit under European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) initiative. Hispasat leads GEO mission design and business plan for QKD-GEO project, the world's most advanced civil quantum key distribution satellite.
- SpaceRISE Consortium (SES, Eutelsat, Hispasat)flagshipEuropean SpaceRISE consortium selected by European Commission to design, build, and operate IRIS², Europe's €10.6 billion sovereign secure satellite communications constellation with 290 satellites (272 LEO + 18 MEO). Hispasat leads the government ground segment and LEO layer development. Initial services targeted for 2030, full operations by 2031.
- IntelsatcoreExpanded strategic agreement for in-flight internet connectivity covering Amazonas Nexus capacity in USA and Brazil, plus North Atlantic corridor. Enables high-quality connectivity for airline passengers across key routes.
- Grupo Sylvestris (Repsol)minorHispasat acquired 10.85% stake in Grupo Sylvestris, a reforestation company, as part of collaboration with Repsol for Spanish forest restoration. Investment of ~€1 million in 2023 to develop satellite-based solutions for CO2 measurement, fire prevention, rural sensorization, and connectivity.
- Caramuel Project ConsortiumminorSpanish industry consortium led by Hispasat working on feasibility phase of Caramuel, the world's first geostationary QKD satellite mission, funded by ESA with significant national aerospace industry participation.
- AXESS NetworkscoreHispasat acquired AXESS Networks, a teleport operator and satellite service provider with operations in Latin America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Acquisition aims to transform Hispasat into a satellite solutions and services provider, strengthening LATAM presence and emerging markets like IoT and 5G satellite networks.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Hispasat competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SES: Luxembourg-based global satellite operator with a mixed GEO/MEO fleet. Direct competitor across European video distribution, mobility, and government markets, and co-member of the SpaceRISE IRIS² consortium with Hispasat.
- Hisdesat: Spanish government satellite services operator providing secure communications and Earth observation (PAZ radar). Sibling entity under Indra Group post-2025; directly comparable in Spanish sovereign government satellite services.
- Intelsat: US-based global satellite operator with extensive GEO fleet serving aviation, maritime, government, and media customers. Direct competitor in mobility (in-flight connectivity) and a strategic partner of Hispasat for North Atlantic IFC capacity.
- Telesat: Canadian satellite operator operating GEO assets and developing the Telesat Lightspeed LEO constellation. Direct competitor in enterprise connectivity and a comparable GEO-plus-LEO transition story.
- Eutelsat: France-based satellite operator that combined with OneWeb to form a GEO + LEO operator. Direct competitor in European video distribution, broadband, and mobility, and co-member of SpaceRISE IRIS² alongside Hispasat.
Regional players
- Yahsat: UAE-based satellite operator providing broadband, broadcast, and government connectivity across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Comparable in government/defense satellite communications and rural broadband.
- Arabsat: Saudi Arabia-based Arab League satellite operator serving Middle East, Africa, and parts of Europe. Comparable GEO operator with overlapping video distribution and broadband offerings in adjacent geographies.
Emerging players
- Avanti Communications: UK-based operator focused on Ka-band satellite broadband across Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Comparable in rural broadband and enterprise connectivity, though smaller and more focused than Hispasat.
Broad incumbents
- Viasat: US-based satellite communications company (post-Inmarsat combination) with strong positions in aviation, maritime, and defense. Direct overlap with Hispasat in mobility and government secure communications.
- EchoStar Corporation: US-based operator of the EchoStar GEO fleet and Hughes Network Systems, with significant North American broadband and enterprise satellite services. Comparable in GEO broadband and managed services, though focused on North American markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hispasat social profiles
Digital presenceHispasat financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hispasat leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Hispasat subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries8 records
Hispasat funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hispasat M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hispasat
What does Hispasat do?
Hispasat is a Spanish satellite operator that owns and operates a fleet of geostationary satellites positioned at 30°W, 36°W, 61°W and 74°W, providing wholesale satellite capacity and managed telecommunications services. It delivers broadband connectivity, video distribution (DTH and OTT), cellular backhaul, in-flight and maritime connectivity, and secure government communications across Europe, Latin America, North Africa, and North America. The company is a key contributor to Europe's IRIS² sovereign secure communications constellation and is pioneering satellite-based quantum key distribution.
Is Hispasat a public or private company?
Hispasat is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Hispasat founded?
Hispasat was founded in 1989. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Hispasat based?
Hispasat is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does Hispasat make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Satellite Capacity Leasing is the primary driver. The others are managed Services, video/Audiovisual Distribution, government Satellite Solutions and mobility Connectivity.
Who are Hispasat's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SES, Hisdesat, Intelsat, Telesat and Eutelsat. Regional players are Yahsat and Arabsat. Avanti Communications is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Viasat and EchoStar Corporation.
Does Hispasat have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hispasat.
What industry is Hispasat in?
Hispasat's product category is Satellite Communications Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAJAI, Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services), with a secondary code of HDAIAJAA, Satellite Broadband Internet Access (Consumer/SMB). Its NAICS code is 5174 and its SIC code is 4899.