Consolidation in the satellite sector has always been an interesting topic, but for two years or so there was very little activity – until now. Recently, we have seen a ramp-up of activity with Arabsat acquiring Greek satellite operator, Hellas-Sat; the offering of Optus satellite business up for sale; and Eutelsat acquiring Satmex, the Mexican satellite operator in a deal worth $1.1 billion. It has been fascinating to watch, particularly as operator’s look to expand into new markets and take themselves out of their relative “comfort zones.”
From an industry perspective it is always exciting to see how such acquisitions will pan out. In this edition of Via Satellite, our “Perspective” feature focuses on Michel de Rosen who talks in detail about Eutelsat’s acquisition strategy, providing a fascinating insight into the Satmex deal as well as Eutelsat’s strategy in Latin America. It really feels like a new era for Eutelsat now, and no longer can it be considered only as a Europe, Middle East and Africa player. The operator is now present in Asia and if the Satmex deal gains regulatory approval, it will be a major player in Latin America as well.
Giving an insightful analysis about this acquisition, I am delighted to announce a new addition to Via Satellite’s pool of contributing columnists, Sarah Simon, of the investment bank Berenberg. It is well worth a read.
In this edition we also look at the U.S. government sector, still an exciting one for satellite despite more restraint in terms of spending. Additionally, in the run-up to OilComm, we put the spotlight on the oil and gas market, which is one of those verticals that remain attractive for satellite companies given the needs for communications and video. We also bring you the first of a two-part feature in our “Tech Corner,” where we look at issues surrounding power density.
