SpeedCast

Speedcast International Limited 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 Group 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.

Speedcast International Limited
TypePublic
ASX: SDA
IndustrySatellite communication
Founded1999
Headquarters
Sydney
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Pierre-Jean Beylier (resigned 3 Feb 2020)
ServicesOver 90 Satellite Beams
Number of employees
1200
Websitespeedcast.com

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]

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.[3] Speedcast has launched a variety of satellite telecommunications services to customers.[4]

TA Associates, a global growth private equity firm, completed a buyout of Speedcast Ltd, from (“AsiaSat”) in September 2012. [5]

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

  • Australian Satellite Communications ("ASC") based in South Australia in December 2012;
  • Elektrikom Satellite Service ("Elektrikom") based in The Netherlands in January 2013;
  • Pactel International ("Pactel") based in Australia in April 2013.

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.[6]

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

In 2015, Speedcast acquired 6 different companies:

  • On February 25, 2015, Speedcast Ltd announced the official acquisition of Geolink Satellite Services (GEO), a provider for satellite communications and solutions worldwide.[7]
  • On March 16, 2015, Speedcast acquired Hermes Datacommunications International (HMS), a recognised leader in the global Oil and Gas telecommunication sector.[8]
  • In July 2015, the company acquired Newsat Limited, a satellite communication provider in Australia,[9] and SAIT Communications, a supplier of Mobile Satellite services in the Southern European maritime market.[10]
  • On November 13, 2015, ST Teleport, the satellite communications provider based in Singapore, was acquired by Speedcast.[11]
  • One month after, on December 29, 2015, Speedcast announced the official acquisition of Newcom international (NCI), a satellite communications service provider specializing South and Central America.[12]

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.[13]

On January the 1st of 2017, Harris Caprock, former communications provider specializing in services to remote and harsh conditions, was acquired by Speedcast.[14]

July 23 brought the announcement that SpeedCast agrees to acquire UltiSat with the intent to create a new government division.[15]

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. [16]

In Feb 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. [17]

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

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.

References
  1. https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20200203/pdf/44ds29g147hlch.pdf
  2. https://spacenews.com/speedcast-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy/
  3. "AsiaSat to pay $3.4m for Speedcast stake". Telecom Asia Net. telecomasia.net. 2007-11-15. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  4. "Speedcast About Us". Speedcast Ltd. 2010-07-20. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  5. "TA Associates Completes Buyouts of Speedcast Ltd". Speedcast Ltd. 2012-09-24. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
  6. "Speedcast acquires Oceanic Broadband". TeleGeography. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2014-06-22.
  7. "SDA announces acquisition of Geolink Satellite Services". asx.com. 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  8. "Speedcast acquires Hermes Datacomms". asx. 2015-03-16. Retrieved 2015-03-16.
  9. "Acquisition of NewSat Teleport and Satellite service business". asx.com. 2015-07-10. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  10. "Speedcast acquires SAIT Communications". asx.com. 2015-07-28. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
  11. "Speedcast acquires ST Teleport". asx.com. 2015-11-13. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  12. "Speedcast acquisition of Newcom International". asx.com. 2015-12-29. Retrieved 2015-12-29.
  13. "Acquisition of WINS Ltd and Equity Raising". asx.com. 2016-08-08. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  14. "SDA to acquire Harris CapRock and complete equity raising". asx.com. 2016-11-01. Retrieved 2016-11-01.
  15. "SpeedCast to Acquire UltiSat and Create a new Government Division" (PDF). asx.com. 2016-11-01. Retrieved 2016-11-01.
  16. "Speedcast CEO resigns after 'challenging' year". ARNnet.com.au. 2020-02-03. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
  17. "Speedcast CEO resigns after 'challenging' year". ARNnet.com.au. 2020-02-03. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
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