MONTREAL: Polarsat, a new, privately-held Canadian company focused on the manufacture of satellite communications equipment, has purchased the assets and product lines of the former broadband division of NSI Global
Polarsat is involved in the Very Small Aperture Terminal segment of satellite communications. VSATs allow customers to securely communicate (via voice, data and video) with branch locations anywhere in the world. The company is targetting the emerging markets in India, China, Africa, and the Middle East.
For the recent acquisition, the firm raised $9 million from three investors active in the satellite-communications industry. It also retained key former NSI employees to ensure a smooth transition and rapid startup.
The investors are Telenor Satellite Networks which provides satellite-based communications and services, Infinium (India). and associates which provides telecommunications and VSAT services in the country. and Agilis Communication Technologies, a subsidiary of Singapore Technologies Electronics which is one of the largest electronic system houses in Asia.
Chairman of Agilis Communication Technologies Seah Moon Ming said, "Polarsat's range of communication products will augment our existing communication solutions. The resulting synergies and expanded line of products will allow us to provide customers around the world with a range of comprehensive communication solutions. This will further grow our business in satellite-based and broadband communications, covering markets in Asia, Europe and the Americas."
Besides its committment to the VSAT Plus II and FlexiDAMA product lines, Polarsat will now be able to accomplish additional research and development with this development. Analysts peg the global potential for this niche market at $350 US million a year, with a 15 per cent annual growth. Polarsat is aiming to be a major player in the VSAT market.