The satellite communications industry is undergoing a radical transformation, driven by Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) and Middle-Earth Orbit (MEO) constellations. This shift enables global IoT connectivity, direct-to-smartphone services, and high-speed broadband, moving beyond niche markets into mass-market connectivity. However, this growth creates a critical challenge: legacy billing and BSS (Business Support Systems) are failing under the complexity. Managing and monetizing these global services profitably is the new frontier, and it requires a modern BSS platform capable of handling dynamic pricing, diverse markets, and immense scale. For satellite providers, and telecom network operators, investing in an agile BSS for satellite services is no longer optional, it's the key to unlocking orbital potential into terrestrial profit.
Legacy billing systems were designed for a simpler era and now create critical roadblocks for modern satellite operators, leading to inefficiencies and revenue leakage.
Modern satellite services introduce complexity that old systems cannot handle.
Hybrid Models: Billing for satellite and terrestrial networks (like 5G NTN) requires a convergent system legacy platforms lack.
Dynamic Pricing: Real-time pricing based on latency, data consumption, or link priority is impossible with rigid, pre-set tariffs.
Diverse Markets: Serving B2B (maritime IoT, backhaul), B2C (broadband), and B2G sectors simultaneously requires a flexible BSS platform that legacy software cannot provide.
Legacy systems buckle under the weight of thousands of satellites and millions of IoT endpoints. They cannot process the high-volume, real-time data required for accurate usage-based billing, causing operational inefficiencies.
The industry verticals with the most use cases for satellite communications include government. Use cases for government and public administration include defence and military operations, maritime communications, geolocation security, first responders, and mission-critical communications. Agriculture has a wide range of use cases for satellite, given the growth of IoT in agriculture and farming and the difficulty of ensuring connectivity in hard to reach locations. Mining, heavy equipment, weather and environment sensors, present numerous use cases for satellite. For telecom operators the coverage of connectivity provided by satellites make for unique consumer use cases and propositions, where connectivity is available regardless of location. For example: Travel eSIM satellite, calling your loved ones in conflict/ war zones, or ensuring connectivity for scientific expeditions on remote locations or in rural areas. As telecom operators typically don't own satellites, most partner with existing satellite suppliers (Ex Vodafone and AST Space).
To thrive, operators need a cloud-native BSS built on five core pillars.
1. Convergent & Real-Time BillingThe ability to charge by session, megabyte, or minute, consolidating satellite and terrestrial usage, rating and charging under a single platform. This ensures accuracy for any service and provides an accurate snapshot of traffic on a network. Read about Lifecycle Software's Converged Charging System.
2. Unlimited Commercial Agility
A dynamic product catalogue allows you to launch new plans, like a "Maritime Data Pass," in days, not months. It supports both consumer and business segments. This enables innovative satellite service monetization.
3. Ecosystem & Partner OrchestrationNative support for B2B2X models and complex revenue sharing is essential for partnerships with constellation operators and resellers.
4. Cloud-Native, Scalable PlatformA platform built to scale elastically is non-negotiable to match the rapid growth of your satellite network and subscriber base. Cloud nativeness, TMForum OpenAPIs and containerization are network architecture characteristics that must be accompanied by tight security controls and safety standards.
5. A Unified Customer ExperienceA self-service portal where customers can manage hybrid subscriptions and view real-time usage reduces support costs and empowers users.
The theory is clear, but where does it deliver tangible impact?
Maritime & In-Flight Connectivity: Companies like Marlink and Viasat use modern BSS solutions to bill for data by specific route and guarantee speeds with premium pricing.
Global IoT & M2M: Operators supporting companies like Myriota need a modern system to monetize millions of sensor transmissions with event-based pricing.
Rural Residential Broadband: As seen with operators like Starlink, managing millions of subscriptions requires a highly automated and scalable BSS for satellite broadband.
The competitive advantage in the new space race will be won as much in the back-office as in orbit. The ability to launch services rapidly and bill with precision is what separates market leaders.
At Lifecycle Software, our Nexus platform is a modern BSS and OCS engineered specifically for these challenges. Our cloud-native platform provides the foundation satellite operators need to monetize complexity and scale with confidence.
Ready to ensure your commercial operations are as advanced as your satellite technology? Speak with our specialists to discover how our modern BSS can power your success.