SES Cleared for Acquisition of Intelsat
Transaction Could Close As Soon as Thursday
The FCC has given final regulatory approval to SES for its proposed acquisition of Intelsat.
"Customers will benefit from a more competitive portfolio of solutions with end-to-end offerings in valuable Government and Mobility segments."
Adel Al-Saleh, SES
On 30 April 2024, SES and Intelsat announced an agreement for SES to acquire Intelsat for a cash consideration of $3.1 billion (€2.8 billion). The transaction was subject to receipt of relevant regulatory clearances and other relevant requirements which all have now been obtained.
As a result, SES plans to close the transaction on or about Thursday, 17 July 2025.
The acquisition has been in the works since at least 2023, when the two companies revealed that they had been discussing the combination. Those discussions ended in June of 2023, but in April, 2024, SES announced that it would be acquiring Intelsat in a transaction consisting of cash and "certain contingent value rights."
The combination is expected to create a stronger multi-orbit operator with greater coverage, improved resiliency, expanded suite of solutions, enhanced resources to profitably invest in innovation, and benefit from the collective talent, expertise, and track record of both companies, according to the company.
"Customers will benefit from a more competitive portfolio of solutions with end-to-end offerings in valuable Government and Mobility segments, combined with value-added, efficient, and reliable offerings for Fixed Data and Media customers," SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh said when the deal was announced in 2024. "This combination is also positive for our supply chain partners and the industry in creating new opportunities as satellite-based solutions become an increasingly integral part of the wider communications ecosystem."
The FCC said in a document announcing the decision that the approval of the transaction "builds on the Commission’s efforts to promote the provision of robust and competitive satellite services to the public. It has the potential to lower costs, improve quality, and increase investment. It also will create a more vigorous multi-orbit competitor in the satellite communications marketplace."