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YahSat to adopt twice-yearly dividend payments

Abu Dhabi-based Yahsat (Al Yah Satellite) will likely adopt a dividend pay-out proposal which will result in dividends being paid twice-yearly. The proposal has been adopted by the company’s directors and will be placed before shareholders at an upcoming AGM. Yahsat, in its statement, said: “Al Yah Satellite Communications Co (Yahsat) listed on the Abu […]

October 11, 2021

Hooray for the human touch

Broadband networks and all that comes with them – CDNs, nodes, edge servers etc – were expected to fall over in the pandemic. The forecast of friction points, and outright failure, as traffic caused by WFH and more time to use entertainment, was so solid that the big streamers voluntarily cut their data intensity, trading […]

October 8, 2021

Intelsat: “SES on a warpath”

The long-running legal dispute between SES and Intelsat over the division of the FCC’s ‘incentive’ payments regarding the C-Band Alliance has provoked another tough response from Intelsat’s lawyers. A filing into Intelsat’s bankruptcy court on October 6 states that “SES has been on a warpath in this proceeding” and had spent millions of dollars “and […]

October 8, 2021

Sky Glass: Ugliest TV ever?

First, kudos for Comcast/Sky for integrating the comprehensive functionality of a modern TV system, but some major black marks for failing to make the sets simply attractive. In my opinion the Sky Glass TVs are a tad expensive: a 65” 4K model will cost a thumping £1049 if bought on a standalone basis. The integration […]

October 7, 2021

Does Drahi have Plan B for Eutelsat?

Patrick Drahi might not have William Shatner in his portfolio of headline-grabbing assets, and rich as he is, Drahi certainly cannot compete with the likes of Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos in terms of cash-at-hand. But few will be surprised if Drahi doesn’t now come up with a Plan B to acquire Eutelsat. Certainly his […]

October 6, 2021

More bidders for Eutelsat?

The bid for Eutelsat by businessman Patrick Drahi, rejected by the satellite company, might well trigger other bidders to enter the picture. Sami Kassab, equity analyst at investment bank Exane/BNPP, poses some interesting suggestions as to potential rival bidders to Drahi. Kassab argues that the key to anyone’s success in the validation of the bid […]

October 5, 2021

Bank reduces Eutelsat’s revenue forecasts

Investment bank Jefferies has adjusted its financial model for satellite operator Eutelsat currently in the middle of a potential takeover by telecoms entrepreneur Patrick Drahi. Jefferies reiterates its ‘BUY’ advice to clients although adjusts downward its share price target of €15.50 (from €18.00) although the operator’s share price has been somewhat overtaken since the Drahi […]

October 4, 2021

Eutelsat bid “raises all boats”

Eutelsat shareholders had a prosperous day on September 30th when the company’s share price rose dramatically by an initial 15.6 per cent (to €11.97), just below Patrick Drahi’s reported €12 bid. Eutelsat confirmed receipt of the bid, and rejected the approach. This suggests either Drahi doesn’t have the backing of state-backed BPI or else – […]

October 1, 2021

Intelsat’s bankruptcy judge rejects call for examiner

Judge Keith Phillips, presiding over Intelsat’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy reconstruction, has rejected the call for an independent examiner to be brought in. The request was made by a small group of equity shareholders to investigate claims of potential mismanagement and other ways to bring in more money for creditors that they say the company has […]

September 30, 2021

Intelsat closer to bankruptcy exit

A large set of documents have been sent to all parties involved in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy reconstruction of Intelsat. Back on September 7th the bankruptcy court handling Intelsat’s affairs issued an order that the Confirmation Hearing on Intelsat’s ‘Disclosure Statement’ and latest ‘Plan of Reorganisation’ from bankruptcy will commence on November 8th. The documents […]

September 29, 2021