Page 88 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2023

SATELLITE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Tanzania Announces Plan to Build Its Satellite

In the last twelve months, several African Africa's annual space industry report, the comes in the context of accelerated digital
countries, including Kenya, Zimbabwe, value of the industry is expected to reach transformation. Space technology could be
Egypt, Uganda, and Angola have launched $22.64 billion in 2026, up from $19.49 used to improve the coverage of telecom
satellites into space. Other countries such billion in 2021. The same report indicates and broadband Internet services, especially
as Côte d'Ivoire and Tanzania are finalizing that African nations allocated a total of in rural or remote areas that are hardly
plans for the launch. Tanzania plans to $534.9 million to space programs in 2022 accessible to mobile operators. Satellites
build its satellite, local media outlet The compared to $523.2 million in 2021. In April can also be used for Earth observation to
Citizen reported, quoting President Samia 2023, the Ivorian government indicated its improve the performance of several sectors
Suluhu Hassan. Details such as the type of first satellite would be launched by August such as agriculture, fisheries, meteorology,
satellite or the engineering team were not 2024. A few days earlier, Kenya launched its natural resource management, security...
disclosed. However, negotiations to realize first satellite, Taifa-1. In the past 12 months, According to the latest figures from the
this ambition are already underway, we Zimbabwe, Uganda, Egypt, and Angola have Tanzania Communications Regulatory
learn. The announcement comes at a time also launched satellites. In addition, Russia Authority (TCRA), the country has 61.9
when African governments are showing is negotiating with some African countries million cell phone subscribers and 33.1
increasing interest in space programs like Algeria, Nigeria, and South Africa to help million Internet users.
and increasing investment in the sector. them build and launch satellites into space.
According to the 2022 edition of Space In This surge in space investment in Africa

Viasat Closes Inmarsat Acquisition

Carlsbad-based satellite communications on a fully diluted basis, with no Inmarsat closing price on Friday 5 November 2021
giant Viasat announced the completion of shareholder receiving shares representing (i.e. when the deal was agreed). The deal
its acquisition of British firm Inmarsat on 10% or more. The 46.36 million shares also involved the assumption of USD3.4
31 May. Mark Dankberg, chairman and CEO of Viasat common stock were originally billion of net debt, for an overall valuation
of Viasat, commented: ‘The combination valued at USD3.1 billion based on the of USD7.3 billion.
of our companies brings together the
people, technology, innovation, network
assets, spectrum resources and global
partnerships needed to help connect the
world more affordably, securely and reliably.
Together, we believe we are positioned to
offer customers a multi-layered network
that gives them the right connectivity at the
right time, place and price.’ Under the terms
of the purchase agreement, at the closing
of the transaction, Inmarsat’s shareholders
received an aggregate of USD551 million
in cash, subject to adjustments, and
approximately 46.36 million shares of
common stock. The cash portion of the
purchase price was reduced from USD850
million after Inmarsat paid a USD299 million
special dividend to its shareholders in April
2022. The shares issued to the Inmarsat
shareholders at the closing represented
an aggregate of approximately 37.6% of
the total shares of Viasat common stock

88 MAY-JUNE 2023