EADS to buy satellite communications service provider Vizada for $960 mn

EADS today agreed to buy satellite communications service provider Vizada from French private equity firms Apax Partners and Altamir Amboise, for $960 million.

This will be EADS largest acquisition since its €2.75-billion purchase of BAE Systems in 2006.

The company, which was formed by the merger of Telenor Satellite Services and France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications, provides mobile and fixed connectivity services from multiple satellite network operators through a network of 400 service provider partners.

Its Vizada Solutions, designed to add business value to basic connectivity, is delivered through Vizada's global teleport network – five state-of-the-art satellite facilities strategically positioned around the world.

Vizada works with leading network providers in the industry, including, Inmarsat, Iridium, Thuraya, Eutelsat, Intelsat, Loral, New Skies, and SES Americom.

Vizada has become the world leading provider of maritime satellite communications services, for which there is a growing demand and multiple development potential in various subsectors such as commercial, fishing, leisure and military, said EADS in a statement.