An Industry In Motion

As we were going press, developments within the global satellite community were at an all-time high. Business strategies were advancing and financial community interest in satellite-enabled services was gaining momentum within many industry sectors.

The fourth quarter kicked off with headline news of Lockheed Martin announcing the sale of its ownership interests in Lockheed Khrunichev Energia International Inc. and International Launch Services Inc. (ILS) to Space Transport Inc. for a reported $150 million. Following the sale, ILS, which will no longer be affiliated with Lockheed Martin, will continue to market the Khrunichev-built Proton and Angara launch vehicles to commercial clients, while Lockheed Martin will retain all rights related to the commercial Atlas vehicle and continue to offer commercial launch services through Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services.

The divestiture was a strategic move by Lockheed Martin, as the company is studying its business structure and is looking to focus more on IT and systems integration. This move is expected to provide Lockheed Martin with a healthier and more predictable financial base with stronger margins, an important metric in the eyes of the investment community. Even though ILS produced a healthy cash flow, it did not provide the predictable margins needed to maintain the interest of Lockheed Martin.

Other companies within the satellite industry also have made moves to gain and keep the attention of investors this quarter.

Within days of the Lockheed Martin announcement, Canadian satellite operator Telesat Canada made headlines of its own with the hiring of Daniel Goldberg as president and CEO. Goldberg, who guided New Skies through a successful IPO and subsequent acquisition by SES Global, is a natural choice to succeed Larry Boisvert, who remains a senior adviser at Telesat.

BCE Inc. has announced plans to move ahead with a $1 billion initial public offering (IPO) of Telesat Canada, as the company’s five operational satellites and sound business operations are an attractive mix for an IPO. In 2005, the company generated $203 million in cash from carrying telephone and TV traffic throughout North and South American and revenues rose 31 percent to $478 million.

Another company that is looking to close 2006 with an investment boost is Globalstar Inc. The company is planning an IPO of 6.5 million shares at a price between $16 and $18 per share. The company has gained significant momentum in recent years as it is one of a few mobile voice and data communications service providers via satellite globally, with an estimated 10.2 percent share of global subscribers in the mobile satellite services industry, as reported by industry analysts.

Globalstar added about 41,000 net new subscribers in 2005 and at the end of June, served about 236,500 subscribers. Likewise, the company reported $127.1 million in revenues in 2005, versus $84.4 million in revenues in 2004.

Similar to the industry, we at Via Satellite are also undergoing changes. As we went to press, my role as editorial and content director came to a close. Words cannot express the gratitude and pride I have had these past years covering the dynamic fluctuations of the global satellite industry. The passion, innovation and excitement delivered everyday by the industry’s executives and engineers fueled me and the Access Intelligence editorial staff to produce publications that you found insightful, informative and significant to your business initiatives. I thank you for entrusting me with the task of reporting your business developments; for giving me interview access and for your patronage each month. I look forward to working with you in my new role within the satellite services sector.