Inmarsat bought out and delisted from stock exchange
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Capitalism in space: The long established communications satellite company Inmarsat has been bought out by a consortium called Connect Bidco and delisted from stock exchange.
Nor is Inmarsat alone:
Inmarsat is the third satellite operator to delist from public markets this year, following Hong Kong-based AsiaSat and London-based Avanti in September.
Inmarsat reported a loss of $89.1 million on $1.06 billion in revenue for the first nine months of the year. The company claimed $36.1 million in profits on $327.3 million in revenue for the months of July, August and September — it’s last public quarter before the buyout.
This story and the quote above explain what is happening. Established satellite companies, that traditionally have built big geosynchronous satellites, are having increased trouble making money as the industry shifts to smaller satellite and constellations in low Earth orbit.
Please consider donating to Behind the Black, by giving either a one-time contribution or a regular subscription, as outlined in the tip jar below. Your support will allow me to continue covering science and culture as I have for the past twenty years, independent and free from any outside influence.
Regular readers can support Behind The Black with a contribution via paypal:
If Paypal doesn't work for you, you can support Behind The Black directly by sending your donation by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman, to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
Capitalism in space: The long established communications satellite company Inmarsat has been bought out by a consortium called Connect Bidco and delisted from stock exchange.
Nor is Inmarsat alone:
Inmarsat is the third satellite operator to delist from public markets this year, following Hong Kong-based AsiaSat and London-based Avanti in September.
Inmarsat reported a loss of $89.1 million on $1.06 billion in revenue for the first nine months of the year. The company claimed $36.1 million in profits on $327.3 million in revenue for the months of July, August and September — it’s last public quarter before the buyout.
This story and the quote above explain what is happening. Established satellite companies, that traditionally have built big geosynchronous satellites, are having increased trouble making money as the industry shifts to smaller satellite and constellations in low Earth orbit.
The question that’s not answered is why Connect Bidco would want to buy Inmarsat. What’s their benefit in this?
I have been following the small sats for amateur radio and I know SpaceX’s plans for using small sats for internet access. When HF radio is not used, on remote places like islands or vessels or just in the wilderness, I see Inmarsat satellite phones used. Does anyone know of a small sat company that wants to do satellite phone service?
To Diane’s question,
Reading about Bidco, they are just a an investment company. Are they just looking for a company to make their portfolio look diverse? Looks like they picked up Inmarsat up cheap. I hope they are not one of those investment firms that buy tech companies, strip it by selling off divisions and intellectual properties over time.
“On 25 March 2019, Inmarsat plc announced it had agreed with Connect Bidco Ltd, a private equity-led consortium, the terms of a recommended cash acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Inmarsat plc. Subsequently, on 10 May 2019, the Inmarsat shareholders agreed to the potential takeover. The consortium is a Joint Venture owned in equal shares by four large financial investment groups: Apax (part of a group which took Inmarsat private in 2003 and publicly floated it in 2005), Warburg Pincus, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), and the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (OTPPB).”
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/proposed-acquisition-of-inmarsat-plc-by-connect-bidco-ltd-public-interest-intervention
“UK Government Accepts Connect Bidco’s Offer of Voluntary Undertakings in Relation to Inmarsat’s UK-Based Operations”
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-government-accepts-connect-bidcos-offer-of-voluntary-undertakings-in-relation-to-inmarsats-uk-based-operations
PDF at the link