Monday, March 21, 2022

Viasat, Inmarsat Sign Deal With UK As Part Of Merger Effort

Carlsbad-based satellite network operator Viasat and fellow London-based satellite company Inmarsat said this morning that the two have signed an agreement with the UK Government's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), with legally binding agreements to increase jobs and R&D investent in the UK space sector. The two said the agreement is part of the proposed combination of the two companies, which includes expanding highly skilled jobs in the UK, including the design and development of satellites, ground stations and other advanced technologies, creating a UK "R&D centre of excellence", continued plans to invest £300 million in the UK over a 10-15 year period, and more. Viasat and Inmarsat announced a $7.3 billion merger deal in November of 2021.