EMEA Markets - Latest Developments
Inmarsat today confirmed that it had completed regulatory and other approvals in relation to its US$ 45 million purchase of Globe Wireless, the Florida-basedprovider of value-added maritime communications services to the shipping market. As a consequence, Inmarsat has now completed its acquisition of Globe Wireless.
Inmarsat’s acquisition includes the business and substantially all of the assets of Globe Wireless. In the twelve months ended June 30, 2103, Globe Wireless generated revenues of US$91 million and currently has an installed customer base of over 6,000 ships.
Eutelsat Communications today announced the closure of the transaction to acquire 100% of the share capital of Satélites Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V. (Satmex) having obtained all required government and regulatory approvals. As previously oreported, the transaction amounts to US$ 831 million.
The financing requirements in connection with the acquisition are covered following the issuance on December 13, 2013 of 6-year senior unsecured bonds for a total of €930 million which were secured at attractive terms.
Reportbuyer.com just published a new market research report entitled "Online TV & Video Forecasts" which predicts global online TV and video revenues (over fixed broadband networks) will reach US in 2018, a massive increase from the US$ 3.98 billion recorded in 2010 and the $15.94 billion expected in 2013, according to the Online TV and Video Forecasts report from Digital TV Research.
By 2018, 520 million homes in 40 countries will watch online television and video (both paid-for and ad-supported), up from 182 million in 2010.
Production house Endemol has acquired a 33% share of Reshet, one of Israel’s leading broadcasters. The move is Endemol’s second acquisition in the country after taking in April 2013 a controlling share in Israel’s leading independent producer Kuperman, which has now become Endemol Israel.
Aireon LLC, the developer of the world's first satellite-based global air traffic surveillance system, has entered into binding agreements with three new investors and major Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs): ENAV (Italy), the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), and Naviair (Denmark) for US$120 million in new equity into Aireon.
Astrium and Inmarsat have reached a strategic distribution partnership agreement which will see Global Xpress services made available to Astrium Services’s large partner and customer base. Astrium Services will deliver Global Xpress high-speed broadband services through its worldwide distribution channels. The strategic agreement will cover key vertical markets, including the maritime as well as the government and defence sector, initially in Europe.
Inmarsat today announces the acquisition of the business and substantially all of the assets of Globe Wireless LLC Headquartered in Palm Bay, Florida, Globe Wireless is a provider of value-added maritime communications services to the shipping market.
NSR's Broadband Satellite Markets 12th Edition report, released today, forecasts the entire broadband satellite market’s installed base of VSAT sites, broadband access subscribers, trunking and backhaul sites will increase by just over 5 million by 2022 and generate US$9.9 billion in revenues. Fully 87% of this growth will come from new subscribers to satellite broadband access services with the North American, Western European and Latin American markets leading the way.
Israel-based satellite operator Spacecom issued a formal notice to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange that it was open to offers for a sale – or merger – of its company. Spacecom operates the Amos fleet of satellites which covers Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Spacecom has hired investment firm JPMorgan as an adviser for the transaction. Spacecom is controlled by Eurocom Holdings Ltd., which owns several telecom companies in Israel. The note to the stock exchange stated that the process is at an early stage “and there is no certainty that a deal will be carried out”.
Globecomm Systems Inc. a leading communications solutions provider, announced today that an investor group led by Wasserstein & Co. has successfully completed the previously announced acquisition of Globecomm. As a result of the merger, each share of Globecomm common stock (other than shares held by Globecomm as treasury stock and shares as to which holders properly exercised dissenters’ rights) was converted into the right to receive $14.15 in cash, without interest, and Globecomm’s common shares will no longer be publicly traded.
