In a deal poised to reshape the competitive contours of the space race, SES SA is set to acquire rival satellite giant Intelsat SA in a $3.1 billion agreement—an ambitious move that has ignited scrutiny from Britain’s top competition regulator amid a flurry of aerospace consolidation fueled by the likes of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
UK’s CMA Zeroes In on Mega-Satellite Merger
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) confirmed Friday that it has launched a phase one investigation into the SES-Intelsat merger, warning that the deal could create a “relevant merger situation” that may lead to a substantial lessening of competition in UK markets.
The probe was triggered as the Luxembourg-based SES, one of the world’s leading satellite operators, moves to solidify its position in the rapidly evolving satellite communications arena.
The CMA said it has notified the companies and is now soliciting public comment on the proposed merger, with an April 29 deadline for submissions. The regulator must decide by June 12 whether to escalate to an in-depth phase two investigation.
