SES Faces CMA Investigation Over Intelsat Purchase
Deal News | Apr 15, 2025 | EIN
The UK's Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has commenced a Phase 1 investigation into SES regarding its proposed acquisition of Intelsat Holdings, a deal valued at €2.8 billion. The investigation will examine potential competition impacts, as the CMA is concerned that the merger may lead to a significant reduction in competition in UK markets. Interested parties can submit comments for the assessment until April 20th, 2025, with a decision on a Phase 2 investigation expected by June 12th, 2025. In parallel, the EU's Defence and Space Commissioner, Andrius Kubilius, spoke in favor of industry mergers within the space sector, albeit while mentioning the importance of balancing large-scale consolidations with opportunities for SMEs. While he did not directly address the purported merger talks between Airbus and Thales Alenia, Kubilius emphasized the need for Europe to enhance its rocket launch capabilities to compete with global players like Elon Musk.
Sectors
- Telecommunications
- Aerospace & Defense
Geography
- United Kingdom – The CMA is conducting an investigation into the SES-Intelsat merger, focusing on the potential impact within the UK market.
- European Union – The EU's Defence and Space Commissioner supports mergers in the space sector, highlighting the aerospace industry's role within the EU.
- Luxembourg – SES, the acquiring company, is based in Luxembourg.
Industry
- Telecommunications – The article involves satellite communication companies, SES and Intelsat, which are part of the telecommunications industry.
- Aerospace & Defense – The article discusses potential mergers in the aerospace sector, specifically mentioning entities like Airbus and Thales Alenia which operate within this industry.
Financials
- 2.8 billion – The purchase price proposed by SES for acquiring Intelsat.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| SES | Acquirer | Company | A Luxembourg-based satellite and terrestrial telecommunications network provider. |
| Intelsat | Acquisition Target | Company | An international satellite services provider. |
| Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) | Regulatory Body | Government | The UK regulatory agency responsible for overseeing mergers and ensuring competitive markets. |
| European Union | Regulatory Support | Government | Represents the collective interests of EU member states in regulatory affairs, especially in sectors like aerospace and defense. |
| Andrius Kubilius | EU Defence and Space Commissioner | Person | An EU official advocating for strategic mergers in the space industry. |
| Airbus | Potential Merger Entity | Company | A leading global aerospace company, |
| Thales Alenia | Potential Merger Entity | Company | A major player in the space and satellite technology sectors. |