Please select your home edition
Edition
A+T Instruments BFD 2024 Leaderboard

Viasat completes acquisition of Inmarsat

by Viasat 31 May 2023 13:33 BST
Viasat closes acquisition of Inmarsat, new global communications partner created © Viasat

Viasat Inc., (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, today announced the completion of its acquisition of Inmarsat.

The combined company enhances our scale and scope to continue to drive growth in the increasingly dynamic and competitive satellite communications industry. The company's assets, once fully integrated, are expected to increase the pace and scope of innovation in the global satellite connectivity sector, offering new and improved capabilities to customers that will address the ever-increasing speed, flexibility, reliability, coverage and security they demand.

"We are thrilled to welcome Inmarsat's employees, customers, shareholders and partners into the Viasat ecosystem," said Mark Dankberg, Chairman and CEO, Viasat. "The combination of our companies brings together the people, technology, innovation, network assets, spectrum resources and global partnerships needed to help connect the world more affordably, securely and reliably. Together, we believe we are positioned to offer customers a multi-layered network that gives them the right connectivity at the right time, place and price.

"Thanks to all those who worked so tirelessly and thoroughly to complete this transaction," said Dankberg. "I'd also like to thank the Viasat team and the leadership team at Inmarsat, especially the contributions of Rajeev Suri, Inmarsat CEO, and Andy Sukawaty, Inmarsat Chairman. Rajeev and Andy will be joining the Viasat Board of Directors as representatives of the prior Inmarsat private equity ownership consortium. I look forward to their continued contributions to the company."

In connection with the appointment of Rajeev and Andy, The Baupost Group will no longer serve in a non-voting observer capacity to the Viasat Board of Directors. "I would like to thank The Baupost Group, and in particular Seth Klarman and Greg Ciongoli, for their valuable contributions to boardroom discussions over the last five years, and for their strategic insights and support of the Inmarsat acquisition," said Dankberg.

The combined company will continue to be led by Mark Dankberg as Chairman and CEO and Guru Gowrappan as President. Viasat also reconfirmed that its new global international business headquarters will be in London. Corporate headquarters will continue to be in Carlsbad, California. Further decisions regarding organizational structure and leadership will be determined as part of the ongoing integration process.

"Our goal is to be the undisputed leader in satellite communications with a sharp focus on providing the best products and services for our customers," said Gowrappan. "We are more than the sum of our parts. This combination broadens the global fixed and mobile services available to customers in an industry-defining moment. We intend to move quickly to bring the best from each company together in a way that creates much deeper value for our stakeholders and ensures we deliver on our synergy commitments."

"Satellite communications is a hugely significant and strategic global market for the U.K. space sector, now poised for an exciting next phase," said George Freeman MP, the U.K.'s Minister of State at the Department of Science, Innovation & Technology. "The combination of Viasat and Inmarsat creates a global leader in satellite communications here in the U.K. It brings significant investment, hundreds of new highly skilled jobs and will serve as a catalyst for substantial economic growth. Having met both companies, I look forward to working with them as we use the U.K.'s regulatory freedom and leadership to support advanced technologies to boost the space economy's productivity, profitability and sustainability."

The closing of the Inmarsat acquisition enables the companies to bring together spectrum, satellite, and terrestrial assets, including 19 satellites in space spanning Ka-, L- and S- bands. These complementary assets are expected to deliver connectivity and key safety services across maritime, aviation, government and consumer markets with speed and reliability of connection front of mind.

Under the terms of the purchase agreement, at the closing of the transaction, Inmarsat's shareholders received an aggregate of $551 million in cash, subject to adjustments, and approximately 46.36 million shares of common stock. The cash portion of the purchase price was reduced from $850 million to $551 million after Inmarsat paid a $299 million special dividend to its shareholders in April 2022. The shares issued to the Inmarsat shareholders at the closing represent an aggregate of approximately 37.6% of the total shares of Viasat common stock on a fully diluted basis, with no Inmarsat shareholder receiving shares representing 10% or more. In connection with closing of the acquisition on May 30, 2023, Viasat drew down on approximately $1.35 billion of its committed financing package, including a $617 million secured term loan facility and a $733 million unsecured bridge loan. The lower financed amount reflects in part the reduction in the cash component of the purchase price.

Advisors
PJT Partners served as financial advisor to Viasat. Latham & Watkins LLP and Linklaters served as legal advisors to Viasat. Barclays, J.P. Morgan Securities plc and Trinity Advisers acted as financial advisors to Inmarsat. Kirkland & Ellis, Clifford Chance and Steptoe & Johnson LLP served as legal advisors to Inmarsat and its majority shareholders.

Related Articles

60th Anniversary Congressional Day 2
Monnin in the hunt for semi-final spot Switzerland's Eric Monnin and his Capvis Swiss Match Racing Team delivered a faultless performance today, the second day of the 60th Long Beach Yacht Club Congressional Cup. Posted today at 4:26 am
21st Sandberg PalmaVela Day 1
Magic Carpet E wins two from two on her debut The Maxi class officially opened racing today at the 21st Sandberg PalmaVela, completing two W/L races in which the newest elite 100-footer, Magic Carpet E, dominated with two clear victories in what was its first-ever races. Posted on 1 May
52 SUPER SERIES Saint-Tropez Cup Day 2
Gladiator back on winning form Disappointed to miss out on winning the 2024 circuit title after coming into the last event of the season with a solid points lead, Tony Langley's world champions Gladiator crew started their assault on the 2025 title on the best possible footing. Posted on 1 May
Northamptonshire Youth Series preview
It's just over a week to go to the first of this year's events It's just over a week to go to the first of this year's events. We're starting off at the beautiful Middle Nene Sailing Club. It really is a spectacular gem of a sailing club tucked alongside the River Nene. Posted on 1 May
Salcombe Gin Spring Regatta at Parkstone
The fleet waited patiently for wind to arrive The run up to the weekend of the Salcombe Gin Spring Regatta, organised by Parkstone Yacht Club, was not looking promising, with very light winds forecast. The fleet of 14 yachts across 3 classes were greeted with zero wind in Poole Harbour. Posted on 1 May
Easter Regatta at Netley Sailing Club
The club was buzzing with energy as campers filled the grounds and the refurbished bar opened Netley Sailing Club was buzzing with energy as campers filled the grounds and the refurbished bar for the opening night of the Easter Regatta. Posted on 1 May
Transat Paprec Day 12
Charlotte Yven & Hugo Dhallenne: "Now, it's all in the mind too!" He checked in mid-morning, and you could hear the joy in his voice — Hugo Dhallenne is doing what he loves most: racing at sea. He's at the front of the fleet in the Transat Paprec and fully enjoying this adventure alongside Charlotte Yven. Posted on 1 May
Blackwater SC cadet training weekend
Sunshine, sailing and ice-cream for 70 sailors The Blackwater Sailing Club proudly hosted an inspiring, busy and successful Cadet Training Weekend 26-27 April welcoming more than 70 enthusiastic young sailors from aged 8 to 18 for two days of skill-building, fun and adventure on the water. Posted on 1 May
Brain injury survivor to return to sailing
In support of Headway, the charity which helped him British sailor Robin Elsey-Webb is making a powerful return to offshore racing this year with the launch of Kernow Ocean Racing/ BlackDog Collaboration. Posted on 1 May
Final call for a long weekend
Place orders today before 15:30 to get delivery in time to go sailing Your time on the water is precious, and the last thing you want is to be kept away from sailing because you're waiting on new kit. In stock orders placed 1 May, before 15:30 with next day delivery will be shipped in time for the bank holiday weekend. Posted on 1 May