German Cartel Office OKs ND SatCom Acquisition by SES Astra

BETZDORF, Luxembourg, July 5, 2006/Satnews Daily/ ― The German Federal Cartel Office has approved the full acquisition of the satellite communications supplier ND SatCom by SES Astra.

SES Astra, an SES Global company (Paris:SESG) announced in May to increase its shareholding in ND SatCom from 25.1 to 100 percent by acquiring the 74.9 per cent share from the German-based high-tech group Augusta Technologie AG. The acquisition allows SES Astra to enter the fast growing government sector and take advantage of the growth potential for its core satellite infrastructure business.

ND SatCom is a supplier of satellite-based broadband network solutions for government customers, broadcasters and enterprises. It is based in Friedrichshafen, Germany, employs 240 people globally, has major regional centers in Abu Dhabi, Beijing and Dallas, Texas, and conducts business in over 130 countries.

In 2005, ND SatCom generated revenues of $102.2 million (EUR 80 million) of which approximately 70 percent derived from the government sector.

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