SES Finalized $3.1 Billion Intelsat Acquisition

SES has finalized the announced acquisition of Intelsat. The company said it has thus created a multi-orbit powerhouse in the satellite connectivity space after finishing a $3.1 billion deal.

The enlarged company has a network of around 90 geostationary (GEO) and almost 30 medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, alongside an extensive ground network and what it describes as strategic access to low Earth orbit (LEO) capacity. SES noted it is now placed to deliver services over a range of spectrum bands and, once fully integrated, would be in a “strong competitive position to better serve the evolving needs of its customers, including governments, aviation, maritime, and media across the globe”.

The company operates across the satellite communications segment with big-name rivals including Eutelsat and SpaceX’s Starlink. Its $3.1 billion deal to buy Intelsat was announced in April 2024 and has since been signed off by various regulators, including those in the European Union and the US. Announcing completion of the deal, SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh said it had created a stronger company, built for the future. He added that the move brings together a mix of talented people, network infrastructure, spectrum, innovation, and global relationships that will allow them to deliver next-generation connectivity and space-enabled services in smarter and quicker ways.

It will also provide operating benefits with SES anticipating synergies of €2.4 billion, of which around 70% are expected in the first three years. Savings are expected to be delivered by streamlined operations, optimised capacity costs, and procurement gains. SES also pointed to the strategic integration of satellite fleets and ground infrastructure. Luxembourg-based SES plans to maintain a significant presence in the US, where Intelsat was headquartered.