SES Gains EU Approval for Intelsat Acquisition
Deal News | Jun 06, 2025 | EIN
Ses, under the leadership of CEO Adel Al-Saleh, is likely to receive the approval from the European Union to acquire its rival Intelsat for $3.1 billion, according to insiders. This marks a significant move in SES's strategy to bolster its competitiveness against broadcast alternatives such as internet-based streaming platforms. Currently, SES operates approximately 70 satellites across Medium-Earth and Geostationary orbits. Completing this acquisition would expand SES's satellite count to over 100 in Geostationary orbit and 26 in Medium-Earth orbit. Concerns have been raised by industry bodies like The National Association of Broadcasters and NCTA - The Internet & Television Association, focusing on potential market concentration risks, especially concerning the control of C-band spectrum. Nonetheless, merging SES and Intelsat could strengthen their position against streaming services. While SES prepares for the official approval from the EU, anticipated by June 10, they also require the nod from the US Federal Communications Commission to finalize this deal.
Sectors
- Satellite Communications
- Broadcasting
- Telecommunications
Geography
- European Union – The European Union is the jurisdiction granting antitrust approval for SES's acquisition of Intelsat.
- United States – The acquisition also requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission, a key regulatory body in the United States.
Industry
- Satellite Communications – The acquisition involves SES and Intelsat, both of which are key players in the satellite communications industry.
- Broadcasting – The deal affects the broadcasting industry, as SES and Intelsat's merger could potentially impact broadcast capabilities over C-band spectrum.
- Telecommunications – The merger would influence telecommunications infrastructure, particularly regarding satellite internet services capable of competing with terrestrial internet streaming services.
Financials
- $3.1 billion – The acquisition price SES is willing to pay to acquire Intelsat.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| SES | Bidding Company/Buyer | Company | SES is a satellite operator headquartered in Luxembourg, seeking to acquire Intelsat to strengthen its competitive position. |
| Intelsat | Target Company | Company | Intelsat is a satellite service provider and the target of SES’s $3.1 billion acquisition. |
| European Union | Regulatory Body | Government | Responsible for granting antitrust approval for the SES acquisition of Intelsat. |
| Federal Communications Commission | Regulatory Authority | Government | The U.S. regulatory authority that needs to approve the SES and Intelsat merger. |
| Adel Al-Saleh | CEO of SES | People | Chief Executive Officer leading SES through the acquisition process. |
| National Association of Broadcasters | Industry Body | Organization | Industry association raising concerns about the SES and Intelsat merger. |
| NCTA - The Internet & Television Association | Industry Body | Organization | An industry body expressing concerns regarding the implications of the SES and Intelsat merger. |