Apax acquisition creates satellite solutions for maritime fleets

(PARIS, FRANCE — September 6, 2007) Apax Partners France today announced that it has successfully completed its acquisition of Telenor Satellite Services and is incorporating the company into the new Vizada brand.

Vizada is a provider of broadband fixed satellite solutions for maritime and land-based customers. Vizada’s services will be organized into two lines of business, Mobile Satellite Services (MSS), offering standardized communications solutions, and Fixed Satellite Solutions (FSS), selling VSAT (very small aperture terminals) and integrated hybrid networks.

Using satellite network operators, Vizada will custom design VSAT and integrated hybrid networks for large corporate, public and intergovernmental organizations with multiple remote sites. Maritime fleets can use FFS to extend corporate IT functions to commercial shipping, cruise and ferry companies as well as super yachts.

Vizada’s MSS business works closely with a network of more than 400 reseller partners to distribute communications via mainly the Inmarsat, Iridium and Thuraya satellite systems.

“Vizada combines the resources of talented employees, superior technology and global infrastructure to provide the best satellite communications solutions, service and support to each Vizada reseller and end-user, now and well into the future,” said Vizada Group CEO and Chairman Michael Collins.

By Professional Mariner Staff