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Analysts anticipate a surge in smaller-scale connectivity M&As this year as large telcos digest the mega-deals that authorities have already cleared, and those that may need remedies to overcome regulatory hurdles. UBS analysts noted that T-Mobile US and Sprint would likely have to sell...  |
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2019 is to be a decisive year for Skynet 6, the UK’s next series of government communication satellites and likely one of the largest satellite connectivity projects in Europe for the next several years. Even by the standards of typically cautious defence projects, planning for Skynet 6 has evidently proven particularly difficult. The reasons....  |
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Iridium Communications hopes to refinance its colossal ECA-backed debt this year as its next-generation connectivity network nears completion, clearing the way for M&A and other partnership opportunities. If Iridium’s creditors are receptive to refinancing, options that could provide the company with some breathing room might…  |
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Higher-than-expected spectrum costs in an increasingly competitive European telecoms market could force more telcos in the region to sell assets this year to shore up their finances. Analysts believe that Vodafone could sell a minority stake...  |
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Investment fervor around using satellite spectrum for terrestrial connectivity is boosting Globalstar’s search to monetise multiple bands to help fill an impending funding gap. The MSS satellite operator hopes to get close to...  |
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Unrelenting demand for connectivity will continue to drive capex investments among the four major US carriers in 2019, promising mid- to high single-digit growth for the tower industry. Analysts believe the country’s towercos will largely be able to shrug off any impact from...  |
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Analysts expect Qualcomm to consider M&A in 2019 to save diminishing royalty rates at its technology licensing unit QTL, partially caused by legal disputes with Apple as regulatory challenges in several markets mount. A sales slowdown in China is also weighing on Apple as...  |
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Swedish venture Ovzon’s order for a broadband satellite gives the GEO market a much-needed lift, and prospects for financing it this time are high as SES secures €400m (US$459m) in loans to back its next-gen fibre-from-the-sky constellation. Ovzon bought the small satellite from Maxar Technologies’ SSL division, which has been looking at options for divesting its...  |
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US fixed broadband market growth in coming years makes cablecos Charter Communications and Comcast attractive investment targets, although they could face fierce competition from T-Mobile US and Sprint if their wireless merger gets final approval. T-Mobile’s pending US$26bn takeover of Sprint was greenlit...  |
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2019 will be a milestone year for the satellite industry, with multiple moving parts across the value chain promising further changes for a market that is already transitioning towards connectivity services. Analysts from Northern Sky Research delve into the opportunities and risks that investors should consider as they look at the...  |
