News Analysis

Viasat Completes Acquisition of Remaining Stake in its European Broadband Joint Venture, Inclusive of the KA-SAT Satellite and Ground Assets

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.

Q1 2021 sees record breaking number of SpaceTech SPACs worth US$ 7 Billion

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.

Eutelsat Enters LEO Space through Investment in OneWeb

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.

C-COM Improves Results from 1st Q 2020 to 2021

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.

Iridium Narrows Losses in 1st Quarter 2021 and Affirms 2021 Outlook

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.

Marlink Group Obtains Regulatory Approval to Acquire ITC Global

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.

Orbcomm Enters into Agreement to be Acquired by GI Partners

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.

MDA Completes IPO

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.

Is 2021 the Year Smallsat IoT Takes Off?

by Hub Urlings

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, April 6, 2021--Will 2021 be the year that a new generation of smallsat Internet of Things (IoT) networks take off?  Smallsats offer ubiquitous low-cost and low power connectivity for the global IoT industry. If it is up to some of the new operators, it sure will be, as the launch activities in the first quarter of 2021 demonstrate.