SpeedCast

Last updated

Speedcast
TypePrivate
Industry Satellite communication
Founded1989
Headquarters
Houston, Texas
,
United States
Area served
 Worldwide
Key people
Joe Spytek, CEO
Number of employees
1200
Website speedcast.com

Speedcast is an Australian company specializing in communications satellite technology. According to their website, they claim to have "more satellite capacity than any other service provider (C, Ka, Ku, X, L) combined with an extensive multi-technology terrestrial and offshore network (fiber, LTE, microwave)." Speedcast has grown through organic and inorganic growth to be one of the major satellite service providers in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Europe and Africa regions; with a global maritime network serving customers worldwide. The company serves over 350 customers across more than 2,000 terrestrial sites in approximately 50 countries and more than 1,187 maritime vessels and offshore rigs.

Contents

Trading of Speedcast has been suspended from the ASX since 3 February 2020. [1] On 23 April 2020, Speedcast International filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the USA. [2] On 11 March 2021, Speedcast announced the completion of its restructuring and emerged from Chapter 11 proceedings under the ownership of Centerbridge Partners, L.P. [3]

History

Speedcast was founded in September 1999 (it became Speedcast Ltd. in 2010). AsiaSat became a primary shareholder in Speedcast in March 2000. In November 2007, AsiaSat purchased all outstanding shares to become 100% owner of Speedcast. [4] Speedcast has launched a variety of satellite telecommunications services to customers. [5]

TA Associates, a global growth private equity firm, completed a buyout of Speedcast Ltd, from (“AsiaSat”) in September 2012. [6]

In 2012-2013, Speedcast completed the buyout of three satellite communications companies:

These group of companies formed the new Speedcast Group.

In June 2014, Speedcast announced the acquisition of Oceanic Broadband an Australian integrator and solutions provider. [7]

In August 2014, Speedcast listed on the Australian Stock Exchange under the ticker SDA.

In 2015, Speedcast acquired 6 different companies:

The following year, in August 2016, Speedcast signed the acquisition of WINS Limited, a provider of innovative broadband satellite communications and IT solutions for the maritime sector in Europe. [14]

On 1 January 2017, Harris Caprock, former communications provider specializing in services to remote and harsh conditions, was acquired by Speedcast. [15]

On 23 July 2017 brought the announcement that SpeedCast agrees to acquire UltiSat with the intent to create a new government division. [16]

In December 2017 the British Government partnered with SpeedCast to give the residents of Admastown, Pitcairn Islands a 5Mbit/s shared LTE Network.

Speedcast acquired Globecomm for US$135 million in late 2018, noting at the time that it was a good strategic opportunity. Globecomm subsequently suffered a decline in maritime business and delays to government projects in the pipeline. [17]

In February 2020, Speedcast started looking for a new CEO after PJ Beylier resigned from the post. Beylier’s resignation came as the company’s board warned its shareholders that its financial results for the 2019 financial year may not be within the company’s guidance. Board directors Peter Shaper and Joe Spytek will act as interim co-CEOs of the company. [18]

On 23 April 2020, Speedcast filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. [2]

On 11 March 2021, Speedcast announced the completion of its restructuring and emerged from chapter 11 proceedings under the ownership of Centerbridge Partners, L.P. [3]

Key personnel

Thomas Choi founded Speedcast in 1998 as CEO, and later Pierre-Jean Beylier was hired to lead the sales and marketing activities. He later became CEO in July 2004. He resigned from his post in Feb 2020 after disappointing results were reported. Joe Spytek became CEO in January 2021. [19]

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20200203/pdf/44ds29g147hlch.pdf
  2. 1 2 https://spacenews.com/speedcast-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy/
  3. 1 2 "Speedcast | Speedcast Announces Successful Completion of Restructuring and Emergence Under New Ownership by Centerbridge". RealWire. 11 March 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  4. ↑ "AsiaSat to pay $3.4m for Speedcast stake". Telecom Asia Net. telecomasia.net. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  5. ↑ "Speedcast About Us". Speedcast Ltd. 20 July 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  6. ↑ "TA Associates Completes Buyouts of Speedcast Ltd". Speedcast Ltd. 24 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  7. ↑ "Speedcast acquires Oceanic Broadband". TeleGeography. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  8. ↑ "SDA announces acquisition of Geolink Satellite Services". asx.com. 25 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  9. ↑ "Speedcast acquires Hermes Datacomms". asx. 16 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  10. ↑ "Acquisition of NewSat Teleport and Satellite service business". asx.com. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  11. ↑ "Speedcast acquires SAIT Communications". asx.com. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  12. ↑ "Speedcast acquires ST Teleport". asx.com. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  13. ↑ "Speedcast acquisition of Newcom International". asx.com. 29 December 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  14. ↑ "Acquisition of WINS Ltd and Equity Raising". asx.com. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  15. ↑ "SDA to acquire Harris CapRock and complete equity raising". asx.com. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  16. ↑ "SpeedCast to Acquire UltiSat and Create a new Government Division" (PDF). asx.com. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  17. ↑ "Speedcast CEO resigns after "challenging" year". ARNnet.com.au. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  18. ↑ "Speedcast CEO resigns after 'challenging' year". ARNnet.com.au. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  19. ↑ "Speedcast Ready to Emerge from Chapter 11 With New CEO - Via Satellite -". Via Satellite. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
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