A Strategic Realignment in the Satellite Skies
SES first announced its intent to acquire Intelsat in April 2024, reviving discussions that had previously collapsed in June 2023. With a deal that’s now back on track, the companies are framing the merger as a strategic imperative—a bid to boost global satellite coverage and counter surging competition from Starlink and Project Kuiper.
The boards of both SES and Intelsat have approved the transaction. More than 73% of Intelsat shareholders have pledged to vote in favor, clearing the minimum 50% threshold required for the deal to proceed.
Despite their united front, regulatory greenlights remain a hurdle. In addition to the CMA, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must also approve the acquisition.
Racing Against Starlink and Kuiper in a Crowded Orbit
SES and Intelsat have made it clear to regulators: this merger isn’t just business—it’s survival. In their submission to the FCC, they highlighted the urgency of consolidation, citing that nearly 700 satellites have been launched since the deal was announced, with hundreds more on the horizon.
The satellite sector has rapidly morphed into a battlefield, with Musk’s Starlink and Bezos’ Project Kuiper launching massive constellations to dominate the skies. The SES-Intelsat deal mirrors other high-stakes moves like Viasat’s $7.3 billion acquisition of Inmarsat, completed in May 2023.
