NAICS 517410 Quarterly Industry Report
Satellite Telecommunications
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 517410Sector: Information (51)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
Fair Market Value compiles this NAICS 517410 industry report using data from the U.S. Census Bureau[7], the Bureau of Labor Statistics[8], and the Small Business Administration[9]. Our research team analyzes transponder use rates, subscriber metrics, and capacity pricing trends to build valuation benchmarks for satellite telecom operations. This report on NAICS 517410 is updated quarterly to reflect LEO constellation deployment progress and evolving demand for satellite broadband services.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the satellite telecommunications industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Satellite Telecommunications (NAICS 517410) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in providing telecommunications services to other establishments in the telecommunications and broadcasting industries by forwarding and receiving communications signals via a system of satellites or reselling satellite telecommunications. These operators own or lease transponder capacity on geostationary and low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations to deliver broadband internet, video distribution, voice telephony, and data relay services.
Direct-to-consumer satellite broadband has expanded through LEO constellation deployments that offer lower latency than traditional geostationary systems. Satellite operators also provide critical backhaul capacity for cellular carriers in remote areas, maritime and aviation connectivity, government and military communications, and emergency disaster recovery links. Video distribution to cable headends and direct broadcast satellite television remain substantial revenue segments, though cord-cutting trends continue to pressure linear TV subscriber counts.
The Federal Communications Commission[5] licenses satellite spectrum and orbital slots, regulates interference coordination, and oversees earth station operations. Market Census Bureau[6] tracks satellite telecom revenue within the broader information sector. Employment spans satellite engineers, ground station operators, sales teams, and network operations center staff. Operations are geographically dispersed, with ground station facilities in rural areas offering clear sky coverage and corporate headquarters concentrated in the Washington, D.C. metro area, Colorado, and Southern California.
What's Included in This Industry
- Direct-to-consumer satellite broadband internet service
- Satellite transponder leasing and capacity resale
- Video distribution to cable headends and broadcast stations
- Direct broadcast satellite television delivery
- Maritime and aviation satellite connectivity
- Government and military satellite communications
- Cellular backhaul and rural network extension via satellite
- Emergency and disaster recovery satellite links
- Ground station operation and maintenance
- Low-earth orbit constellation network management
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Information | 51 |
| Subsector | Telecommunications | 517 |
| Industry Group | Satellite Telecommunications | 5174 |
| NAICS Industry | Satellite Telecommunications | 51741 |
| National Industry | Satellite Telecommunications | 517410 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 517111 | Wired Telecommunications Carriers | Wired carriers compete with satellite broadband for rural internet subscribers and purchase satellite backhaul capacity for remote network segments |
| 517112 | Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) | Wireless carriers use satellite links for cell tower backhaul in areas where fiber and microwave connections are unavailable or uneconomical |
| 517810 | All Other Telecommunications | Other telecom carriers provide alternative fixed and wireless connectivity services that compete with satellite in underserved rural markets |
| 334220 | Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing | Broadcast and wireless equipment manufacturers produce satellite earth terminals, antennas, and ground station hardware for telecom operators |
| 336414 | Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing | Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing firms build the satellite platforms that telecom operators launch into orbit for service delivery |
| 928110 | National Security | National defense agencies contract satellite telecommunications for secure military communications, intelligence gathering, and battlefield connectivity |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 17.2% | 76 |
| 2 | Florida | 10.6% | 47 |
| 3 | Texas | 10.4% | 46 |
| 4 | Virginia | 6.6% | 29 |
| 5 | New York | 6.1% | 27 |
| 6 | Georgia | 4.8% | 21 |
| 7 | New Jersey | 3.6% | 16 |
| 8 | Michigan | 2.9% | 13 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 2.7% | 12 |
| 10 | Maryland | 2.7% | 12 |
% Of Establishments
0%
17%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
48
Total SBA Loans
$5.0M
Total Loan Volume
$105K
Average Loan Size
9 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.92%
Average Interest Rate
168
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA size standard[10] for NAICS 517410 is $44 million in average annual receipts, meaning satellite telecom firms below this revenue threshold qualify as small businesses for federal programs. Firms can access SBA 7(a) loans[11] for ground station equipment, earth terminal installations, and working capital, while SBA 504 loans[12] support teleport facility and office real estate purchases. Most small firms in this code operate ground stations or resell transponder capacity rather than owning satellites.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TD Bank, National Association | 16 | $1.9M | $118K |
| 2 | Northeast Bank | 16 | $1.6M | $99K |
| 3 | Lendistry SBLC, LLC | 8 | $822K | $103K |
| 4 | First Bank | 8 | $760K | $95K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 517410?
NAICS 517410 covers establishments providing telecommunications via satellite systems. This includes satellite broadband ISPs, transponder lessors, direct broadcast satellite TV providers, satellite backhaul operators, maritime and aviation connectivity firms, and government satellite communications contractors.
How is NAICS 517410 different from 517111?
NAICS 517410 covers carriers transmitting via satellite systems in orbit, while 517111 covers carriers using wired infrastructure on the ground. Satellite operators serve remote areas unreachable by fiber or cable; wired carriers serve dense population centers, per Census Bureau classifications[13].
What is the SBA size standard for satellite telecom?
The SBA sets the size standard for NAICS 517410 at $44 million in average annual receipts over the preceding five fiscal years. Firms below this threshold qualify as small businesses for federal contracting and lending, per the SBA size standards table[10].
What NAICS codes are related to satellite telecom?
Related codes include 517111 (wired carriers), 517112 (wireless carriers), 517810 (other telecom), 334220 (broadcast equipment), 336414 (spacecraft manufacturing), and 928110 (national defense). Each connects through infrastructure, manufacturing, or service delivery relationships.
What industries are closely related to satellite telecom?
Closely related industries include wired carriers (517111) and wireless carriers (517112) as terrestrial competitors and backhaul customers, equipment manufacturers (334220) for ground systems, and spacecraft builders (336414) for satellite platforms.
What activities are included in satellite telecom?
Activities include satellite broadband delivery, transponder leasing, video distribution, direct broadcast television, maritime connectivity, aviation Wi-Fi, military communications, disaster recovery links, and ground station management. The FCC[5] licenses spectrum and orbital positions.
Can satellite telecom companies get SBA loans?
Where are satellite telecom companies concentrated?
Corporate headquarters cluster in the Washington, D.C. metro area, Colorado Springs, and Southern California near aerospace industry hubs. Ground stations are located in rural areas with unobstructed sky coverage across the Mountain West, Southwest, and Southeast, per Census Bureau County Business Patterns[14].
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]Federal Communications Commission fcc.gov
- [6]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [7]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [8]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [9]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [10]SBA size standard sba.gov
- [11]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [12]SBA 504 loans sba.gov
- [13]Census Bureau classifications census.gov
- [14]Census Bureau County Business Patterns census.gov
Disclaimer
This publication has been prepared by Fair Market Value (“Fair Market Value”) for informational purposes only. It is provided on an “as-is” and “as available” basis. Fair Market Value makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, completeness, or accuracy of the data or information contained herein. This publication is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, professional financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Users should consult with qualified professionals before making any financial or business decisions based on the information presented.
To the extent permitted by law, Fair Market Value disclaims all liability for loss or damage, direct and indirect, suffered or incurred by any person resulting from the use of, or reliance upon, the data in this publication.
Copyright © 2026 Fair Market Value. All rights reserved. All data, information, articles, graphs, and content contained in this publication are copyrighted works and Fair Market Value hereby reserves all rights. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded to a third party, or distributed without the prior written permission of Fair Market Value.