Monday 24 September 2012

TA Associates buys out SpeedCast SATCOM company from AsiaSat


Private equity firm TA Associates bought out SpeedCast Ltd. from Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (AsiaSat.) TA enjoyed the full backing of SpeedCast’s management team during its acquisition of the VSAT service provider.


Companies from more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East turn to SpeedCast for VSAT satellite broadband access services, managed networking solutions, and value-added services. SpeedCast also serves the maritime and offshore oil and gas industries through its SeaCast broadband service.

Sixteen teleports and more than 20 VSAT hubs ensure reliable coverage and connectivity for SpeedCast's customers wherever they may be on the planet. The satellite communications company also operates eight sales and support centers. 

Industry analyst Comsys predicts that VSAT service revenues in Asia, the Middle East and Africa will grow at an 8 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next five years. Western markets, meanwhile, are expected to experience a growth rate of 4%.

In particular, the global maritime VSAT market is enjoying strong and steady growth. According to the Comsys report, worldwide maritime VSAT service revenues increased to $800 million in 2009, compared to $400 million back in 2004.

In addition to SpeedCast, TA Associates has acquired seven other investments in Asia. These investments have been both minority investments and buyouts in growth companies in telecommunications, technology, healthcare, and mining services. Five investments came from India while the two other companies, Forgame Tech Co. and Aicent, operate in China.

Friday 14 September 2012

Encompass will provide teleport services for Inmarsat Global Xpress


Encompass Government Solutions entered a long-term contract to provide satellite access station (SAS) services for Inmarsat. Encompass' Teleport facility will extend uplink/downlink services, collocate equipment, and ensure interconnectivity within terrestrial data networks for Inmarsat as the latter rolls out its Global Xpress satellite internet service.

Inmarsat needed a secure teleport site with a suitable environment and minimal risks of disruption by harsh weather conditions and the like. Encompass’ Teleport facility at Lino Lakes, Minnesota -one of two co-primary Teleports in North America- fulfills Inmarsat's requirements.

Encompass will collocate and manage a sizable array of satellite ground segment equipment on behalf of Inmarsat. It will also perform routine maintenance services for Inmarsat's new 13.2m Ka-band antenna.

In addition, Encompass recently built a 2,500 square foot cement building to house the equipment that will manage, control, and provide satellite broadband services to Inmarsat Global Xpress customers.

Furthermore, Encompass will provide SAS services from launch to deactivation of the Global Xpress satellite fleet. This includes 24/7/365 “hot hands” engineering and facilities support at the antenna hub.

Inmarsat's Global Xpress is a next-generation, Ka-band satellite service. It is capable of providing downlink speeds of up to 50Mbps and up to 5Mbps over the uplink.

Two Global Xpress satellites will be launched in 2013. A third satellite will be launched in 2014.


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Tuesday 4 September 2012

SES expands satellite capacity for Caster Networks teleports, VSAT, broadcasting services


A joint announcement by SES and Castor Networks revealed that the latter company has signed a capacity expansion agreement to meet the growing needs for Internet connectivity throughout Southern Africa.

Castor Networks is a Dutch satellite service provider that provides teleport, VSAT, and broadcasting services to European and African customers. Its capacity expansion deal with SES will open up new room on SES’ NSS-7 Ku-band communications satellite.

The additional capacity allows Castor to continue delivering voice and data services to mining, oil, and gas industries, ISPs, and governments in Southern Africa. Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa are some of the countries that benefit from its satellite communications services.

The NSS-7 communications satellite is located at 340 degrees East. European VSAT hubs that are expanding their services into remote Southern African regions can thus take advantage of the Ku-band satellite's excellent position and its Ku-band beam, which is dedicated to covering Southern Africa.