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Furthermore the report said that launch services revenue grew to $4 billion in 2007, increasing nearly 19 per cent from 2006.

Total satellite global revenues in 2007 were $AUD 130.8 billion, representing an average annual growth of 11.5 per cent for the period from 2002-2007 and sales in consumer hardware resulted in a 19 per cent rise in ground equipment revenues over the previous year, posting 2007 revenues of almost $40 billion.

The SIA said more satellites were launched in 2007 than in 2006 but satellite manufacturing revenues dipped slightly reflecting the higher number of microsatellites that have recently been launched.

SIA president Patricia Cooper says, "Consumer demand for satellite television and satellite radio continues to drive both services and equipment revenues, but we're also seeing steady performance in satellite transponder services and mobile applications."

Satellite pay TV subscribers increased by about 13 per cent over 2006 levels, surpassing the 100 million mark globally for the first time.

Satellite carriage of High Definition Television (HDTV) continued to grow rapidly. The number of HDTV channels worldwide grew by 150 per cent from 2006 to May 2008. Satellite-delivered HDTV channels are also forecasted to grow 350 per cent by 2013.

The SIA said it commissioned the Futron Corporation to conduct its eleventh annual State of the Satellite Industry Report with Futron polling over 70 satellite companies to determine aggregate revenue, employment, and output indicators.