News Analysis

by Omkar Nikam

Strasbourg, France, May 3, 2021--A region heavily reliant on natural resources, the Middle East and Africa represent two large distinct regions, and then therein, several sub-regions each. Both regions have abundant natural resources which have in-turn help drive its growth for many sectors: broadcast and media being one of them. Though the transition from analog to digital is proceeding at a slower pace, most of the countries like Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt, and Tunisia have already started their transition to digital. While UAE, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Israel are some of the countries to have completely adapted digital broadcasting.

Carlsbad, Calif., April 30, 2021-- Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), today announced it completed the purchase of Euro Broadband Infrastructure Sàrl ("EBI"), the wholesale broadband services business created as part of Viasat's former partnering arrangement with Eutelsat Communications.

London, UK, April 29, 2021: The Space sector has seen a record-breaking number of Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) deals announced in the first quarter of 2021, worth more than US$ 7 Billion collectively. Research conducted by Seraphim Capital reveals that the ‘SpaceTech’ industry has become one of the most sought-after markets for SPAC mergers.

Paris, France, April 27, 2021--Satellite operator Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) has entered into an agreement with OneWeb for the subscription of approximately 24% equity stake, becoming a leading shareholder of the company alongside the UK Government and Bharti Global. Eutelsat will invest US$ 550 million in OneWeb, with closing expected in H2 2021 subject to regulatory authorizations.

Ottawa, Canada, April 20, 2021 –C-COM Satellite Systems Inc., (TSXV: CMI and OTCQB: CYSNF) al provider of commercial grade mobile auto-deploying satellite antenna systems, announced today its financial results for the first quarter ended February 28, 2021. The company has generated revenues of CDN$ 4,719,279 and net income after taxes of CDN$ 1,466,580, or four cents per share. This compares with revenues of CDN$ 1,240,630 and a net loss after taxes of CDN$ 186,573, or 0 cents per share as reported in 2020. This Q1 2021 performance represents gains of 280% and 886%, respectively, over Q1 2020’s levels.

McLean, Va., April 20, 2021 – Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) today reported financial results for the first quarter of 2021 and reiterated its full-year 2021 outlook. Net loss was US$ US 5.2 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2021, as compared to net loss of US$ 31.7 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2020. This decrease in net loss was primarily the result of the absence of debt extinguishment costs, which were incurred in the year ago period with Iridium’s refinancing of its senior unsecured notes.

Houston Tex., , April 12, 2021--Marlink Group, backed by Apax Partners sas, has obtained final regulatory approvals to acquire 100% of ITC Global from Panasonic. The Marlink and ITC Global management teams are preparing for a swift closing of the transaction in the coming weeks.

Rochelle Park, NJ, April 8, 2021--Orbcomm, a global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by GI Partners, a leading US-based investor in data infrastructure businesses, in an all-cash transaction that values Orbcomm at approximately US$ 1.1 billion, including net debt.

Toronto, Canada, April 7, 2021--MDA Ltd., a provider of advanced technology and services to the burgeoning global space industry, today announced the successful closing of its previously announced an initial public offering (IPO) of common shares of the company. Pursuant to the Offering, MDA issued 28,571,500 Common Shares at a price of CDN$ 14.00 per Common Share for gross proceeds to the company of approximately CDN$ 400 million.

The April 2021 issue of  the Satellite Executive Briefing magazine focusing on the Non-GEO Satelllite Market is now available.  Featuring:

Is 2021 the Year Smallsat IoT Takes Off?  by Hub Hurlings

Prospects in the Cubesat Market by Mayank Halmare

Space Tourism: Fueling Commercial Demand Across Space Market Verticals by Omkar Nikam

Executive Spotlight: Bart Van Poucke, VP-Product Management, ST Engineering iDirect

TECHBrief: Retrofiting ACU 7200 with sat-nms ACU2-19V2 by Michael Ulbricht

Company Spotlight: Mission Microwave Continues Growth and Moves into a New State-of-the-Art Facilty

In the Land of Virtual by Robert Bell

10,000 Viewers and Counting: Dubai, Singapore and DC Calling by Martin Jarrold

PLUS Product and Services Spotlight, Mergers and Acquisitions, Executive Moves, Market Briefs, Vital Statistics, Satellite Markets Stock Index and many more. Click here to read or download the file