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Tag: C

  • SES seals Intelsat takeover, creating satellite giant with 120-bird fleet

    SES seals Intelsat takeover, creating satellite giant with 120-bird fleet

    LUXEMBOURG:  Satellite heavyweight SES has wrapped up its acquisition of Intelsat, creating a turbocharged space communications firm with a 120-strong satellite arsenal spanning geostationary (Geo), medium Earth orbit (Meo), and strategic access to low Earth orbit (Leo) assets. The announcement was made on 17 July 2025. 

    The deal instantly boosts SES’s clout in high-growth verticals, with around 60 per cent of revenues now flowing from aviation, maritime, government, and media clients. The expanded fleet includes roughly 90 Geo and nearly 30 Meo satellites, with the new entity operating across a rich spectrum of bands including C, Ku, Ka, military Ka, X, and UHF—enabling tailored, premium-grade connectivity solutions globally.

    “Today, we’re not just merging two companies — we’re creating a stronger company, built for the future. I want to extend a warm welcome to all new employees, customers, and partners,” said SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh. “In this new chapter, we are bringing together a powerful mix of talented people, network infrastructure, spectrum, innovation, and global relationships that will allow us to deliver next-generation connectivity and space-enabled services in smarter and quicker ways.”

    The financials are just as skyward. The merged outfit expects pro forma revenue of €3.7 billion growing at a low- to mid-single digit CAGR between 2024 and 2028. Adjusted EBITDA is pegged at €1.8 billion with mid-single digit growth including synergies, while adjusted free cash flow is set to top €1 billion by 2027–2028 (pre-IRIS2).

    A hefty €8 billion contract backlog provides strong revenue visibility, while cost synergies—valued at a net present value of €2.4 billion—are expected to deliver an annual run rate of €370 million, with 70 per cent realised within three years. Savings will come from merged fleets, streamlined ops, and smarter procurement.
    SES, which remains headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on both the Paris and Luxembourg bourses ), will maintain a key base in McLean, Virginia. The firm has set its sights firmly on emerging frontiers including IoT, direct-to-device comms, space situational awareness, quantum key distribution, and inter-satellite data relays. Annual capex (excluding IRIS2) is expected to average €600–650 million through 2028.

    SES has also signalled intent to raise its base dividend once it achieves sub-3x net leverage, expected within 12–18 months.

    Legal and financial advisors on the transaction read like a who’s who: SES leaned on Guggenheim Securities, Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, and legal bigwigs from Gibson Dunn to Hogan Lovells. Intelsat was advised by PJT Partners, with legal counsel from Skadden, Wiley Rein, and Elvinger Hoss Prussen.

    The move solidifies SES’s place among the top tier of global satellite operators—now armed with more firepower, deeper pockets, and sharper intent to lead the new space race.

  • Prank for a cause; Ola banks on April 1st phenomenon to crowdfund toilets for 20,000 people

    Prank for a cause; Ola banks on April 1st phenomenon to crowdfund toilets for 20,000 people

    MUMBAI: Ola, one of the world’s largest ride-hailing platforms, today launched a nationwide crowdfunding campaign to enable building toilets across India to positively impact over 20,000 people across India. Launched under Ola’s ‘My Ride. My Cause’ program, users will be able to contribute Re. 1 per ride from April 2nd until October 2nd, 2019. Ola has partnered with Gramalaya, an approved key resource centre from the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, who will use the proceeds in their on-going efforts to build toilets for the underprivileged across India.  

    The announcement follows the launch of Ola’s April Fool’s video, “Ola Restrooms”, which aimed at building awareness around the need for accessible and hygienic lavatories in India. Highlighting the need for more public toilets in the country, the digital campaign introduces ‘Ola Restrooms’, a new solution that seeks to address the dearth of facilities. Known for its unconventional campaigns, Ola used the occasion to draw attention to a social issue and turn it into a cause based initiative.

    Speaking about the initiative, Anand Subramanian, Sr. Director – Marketing Communications said, “Since inception, Ola has been committed to supporting causes that deeply impact our cities and citizens. Access to toilets and sanitation can significantly improve hygiene and quality of life for people. Through this campaign, we aim to heighten awareness amongst educated audiences and enable them to contribute meaningfully.” He further added, “We are proud to partner with the team at Gramalaya who have been leading efforts to build sustainable sanitation infrastructure for the past 30 years in rural India.” 

    S.Damodaran, Founder & CEO of Gramalaya, said, “Sanitation provides safety, security and privacy for women and adolescent girls and we envision a society where everyone has access to safe sanitation facilities that empower individuals and communities. Gramalaya has successfully demonstrated sustainable sanitation models over the past 30 years and plans to expand these facilities to other parts of India. We are grateful to Ola for facilitating the crowdfunding campaign to help us achieve the goal of making India cleaner and healthier.”

    There is a dire need to eliminate open defecation and urination in India, which is a leading cause of diarrheal infection affecting women and children in rural India. Lack of adequate toilets that adhere to the scientific sanitary standards is detrimental to India’s mission to be free of Open Defecation by 2019. Through this initiative, Ola aims to bridge the gap with the support of millions of users that take rides on the Ola platform every day.

    Here’s how customers can start contributing:

    Step 1: Once a ride is booked, customers will be able to see an option to contribute INR 1 on the ride booking screen

    Step 2: Upon clicking ‘see how,’ customers will be able to see detailed information about Gramalaya and how their contributions will be used

    Step 3: The button at the bottom of the screen that says ‘Donate INR 1 on every ride’ enables the contributions

    Step 4: Once accepted, customers will see their contribution towards the initiative in the ride details screen for every ride. Customers can choose to opt in and out at any point of time
    Step 5: Alternatively, customers can activate contributions from the ‘Donations’ section, under Profiles in the global menu

  • Kodak Alaris ropes in Cássio Vaquero as regional director

    MUMBAI: Kodak Alaris has roped in Cássio Vaquero as its new regional director, information management division, for Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Based in Singapore, Vaquero succeeds Susheel John, who has been elevated to a global leadership role with Kodak Alaris in Rochester, New York.

     

    In his new role, Vaquero will head the Asia-Pacific operations with a special focus on creating deeper relationships with customers and partners across important sectors such as government, banking and financial services. 

     

    “Asia Pacific is an exciting marketplace for our business and Cássio has the experience and energy to unlock that power for us,” said Kodak Alaris CEO Ralf Gerbershagen. “He brings a great mix of entrepreneurial spirit and trusted expertise to the table. Two traits that are core to everything we do here at Kodak Alaris,” he added.

     

    Vaquero has been with the company for 15 years and has held a range of high profile marketing and sales positions. In his previous role, Vaquero was director of Kodak Alaris’ information management business in the Latin America Region (LAR), with responsibility for sales, marketing, service, and business operations. 

     

    “The Asia-Pacific region has a mix of developed and emerging markets with different adoption rates for information management solutions. The region is full of growth opportunities and offers us a really exciting challenge,” said Vaquero.

     

    “I look forward to sharing ideas and best practices across Asia Pacific and Latin America and helping our customers and partners unlock the power of our information management portfolio for their organisations,” he concluded.