The company had acquired a 10 percent stake in ND SatCom in 2002, and then increased its shareholding to 25.1 per cent in April 2005, with an option to acquire the remaining stake.

SES ASTRA acquired the majority stake for a price of 35.6 million euros ($45.4 million). The transaction is subject to the necessary regulatory approvals.

The purchase agreement includes a contingent additional consideration, depending "on the award and value of a significant government contract opportunity," the company said in a statement, but that consideration cannot exceed 36 percent of the ND SatCom stock purchase price.

ND SatCom supplies satellite-based broadband network solutions for government customers, broadcasters and enterprises. Based in Friedrichshafen, Germany, the company employs 240 people globally, with major regional centers in Abu Dhabi, Beijing and Dallas, Texas, and it conducts business in over 130 countries.

In 2005, ND SatCom generated revenues of 80 million euros ($102 million), of which approximately 70 percent derived from the government sector.

"Enhancing the government services offering is a key strategic objective of SES", said Ferdinand Kayser, SES ASTRA's president and chief executive officer. "The acquisition of ND SatCom allows SES ASTRA to enter the fast-growing government sector."

As a leader in this sector, Kayser continued, "ND SatCom is very well positioned and rapidly grows its presence, mainly in the EMEA region, complementing the strong position of Americom Government Services in North America. Through this transaction, we will provide a combined ground and space offering to the government sector and take advantage of the growth potential for our core infrastructure business, in particular the recently acquired New Skies assets."

Karl Classen, the CEO of ND Satcom, called the acquisition of his company by SES ASTRA "a perfect strategic fit for both parties and will provide us with additional development opportunities."

Classen noted that SES ASTRA had been a strategic investor in ND SatCom for many years and supported the development of the company into a leading international player. "ND SatCom will represent a key element in SES ASTRA`s ambitions to increase its presence in the government sector and reinforce SES group`s global government activities," he said.

The ASTRA Satellite System delivers satellite television services to some 107 million households in Europe. The ASTRA constellation currently comprises 13 satellites, transmitting in excess of 1,600 analogue and digital TV and radio channels, plus multimedia and Internet services.

ASTRA's two prime orbital positions for DTH services are 19.2 degrees east longitude and 28.2 degrees east. The company also offers professional services, such as direct-to-cable, satellite newsgathering and occasional use from a satellite at 23.5 degrees east.

SES GLOBAL wholly owns SES ASTRA in Europe, SES AMERICOM in the United States and New Skies Satellites in the rest of the world. The company also holds strategic participations in AsiaSat in Asia, Star One in Latin America, SES Sirius in Europe, Ciel in Canada and Quetzsat in Mexico.

Americom Government Services provides network solutions and bandwidth to the U.S. government and its contractors. SES GLOBAL's entire constellation comprises 43 satellites.

Related Links
ND SatCom
SES ASTRA

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