EchoStar completes $26B acquisition of DISH Network

EchoStar has announced the completion of its $26 billion acquisition of DISH Network. The deal combines two of the nation's largest providers of satellite and wireless services into one telecoms giant.

Under the terms of the agreement, DISH Network has become a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar. All outstanding shares of DISH Network's common stock have been converted into shares of EchoStar stock, valuing the transaction at approximately $26 billion. The conversion rate for...

3 January 2024 | 5G

SES ends Intelsat acquisition talks

SES has announced that it has ceased merger talks with Intelsat, ending plans for further consolidation in the satellite internet sector.

The potential combination of the businesses, which was reported in March, would have created a significant player in the industry. According to Bloomberg, the transaction would have been valued at over $10 billion, including debt.

SES confirmed the end of discussions in a statement, while Intelsat stated that it regularly engages in...

22 June 2023 | Hot Topics

Viasat completes Inmarsat acquisition

Viasat has successfully completed its acquisition of London-based Inmarsat, just a week after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) dismissed a competition complaint filed by SpaceX.

The significant merger brings together two organisations with complementary technology assets, resources, and capabilities, creating a global communications provider with an expanded portfolio of services.

Mark Dankberg, Chairman and CEO of Viasat, said: 

“We are...

1 June 2023 | Networks

Ericsson completes $6.2B acquisition of Vonage after clearing hurdles

Ericsson has finally completed its $6.2 billion acquisition of cloud communications provider Vonage after clearing some major hurdles.

The Swedish vendor first announced its biggest-ever acquisition in November last year.

Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson, said: “The core of our strategy is to build leading mobile networks through technology leadership. This provides the foundation to build an enterprise business. The acquisition of Vonage is the next step...

22 July 2022 | 5G

Lumine Group snaps up connectivity monetisation firm TOMIA

Someone counting a fan of US dollars.

Lumine Group, a division of Volaris Group focused on the communications and media vertical, has acquired TOMIA, an innovator in global connectivity monetisation solutions.

TOMIA’s software optimises and orchestrates critical inter-carrier business processes including data and financial clearing, network roaming, real-time campaign management and interconnect solutions.

Many of the industry’s leading service providers are said to rely on TOMIA’s technology to...

20 June 2022 | Networks

Altice fuels takeover concerns as its BT ownership increases to 18%

BT Tower

Altice, the telecoms group of French billionaire Patrick Drahi, has increased its ownership of BT to 18 percent from 12.1 percent.

Drahi’s growing interest in BT has fuelled concerns amongst the company’s leadership and the UK government, with a Downing Street spokesperson stating the “situation is being monitored carefully”.

The French billionaire, known for being a prolific dealmaker, shocked the industry in June when his company paid £2.2 billion for a 12.1...

16 December 2021 | Legislation & Government

FCC: Verizon can acquire TracFone subject to ‘demanding conditions’

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted Verizon approval to acquire TracFone, but it will be subject to “demanding conditions”.

Verizon announced its intention to acquire TracFone Wireless for $6.25B back in September 2020.

TracFone is the largest reseller of wireless services in the US and has around 21 million subscribers. The proposed deal naturally caught the eye of regulators.

One of the major concerns is that Verizon could hike prices...

23 November 2021 | Legislation & Government

Ericsson acquires cloud communications provider Vonage for $6.2B

Ericsson has entered an agreement to acquire cloud communications provider Vonage for $6.2 billion.

Ericsson intends to expand its wireless enterprise offerings globally and offer existing customers an increased share of a market that’s set to hit $700 billion by 2030. Ericsson’s acquisition of Vonage will help it achieve that goal.

Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson, says:

“The core of our strategy is to build leading mobile networks through...

22 November 2021 | Telecoms

CMA green lights £31B merger of telecoms giants Virgin and O2

The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has given the green light to a £31 billion merger of telecoms giants Virgin and O2.

Provisional approval of the deal was granted last month but today’s announcement clears the companies to form a combined entity that can better compete against BT/EE after their own £12.5 billion merger in 2016.

Virgin and O2 both sell wholesale services to a number of mobile operators in the UK. In the case of Virgin, their wholesale...

20 May 2021 | Legislation & Government

Virgin and O2’s merger is granted provisional approval

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has granted provisional regulatory approval of Virgin’s proposed merger with O2.

In November last year, the European Commission – which, pre-Brexit, had regulatory oversight over the deal – referred the proposed merger to the UK’s competition regulator.

Andrea Coscelli, Chief Executive at the CMA, said at the time:

“These are incredibly important UK markets, that continue to evolve, and the deal needs to be...

14 April 2021 | Legislation & Government