7th Jul 2015 07:00
Satellite Solutions Worldwide Group plc
("SSW" or the "Company")
Acquisition of one of Ireland's largest Satellite Broadband Providers
Satellite Solutions Worldwide Group plc (AIM: SAT), the satellite broadband provider that trades in Europe under the Europasat brand, announces it has acquired the customer base of Onwave Ltd ("Onwave"), the highly regarded Irish satellite broadband provider.
Onwave, founded in 2008, is one of the largest providers of satellite broadband in Ireland, with more than 2,300 residential and business customers. This acquisition therefore provides SSW a market leading position in Ireland with scope for significant growth, both domestically and overseas.
The latest data, from a market research consultancy Point Topic, estimates there are over 300,000 Irish households with less than 2 Mbps broadband connections, equivalent to approximately 18% of total households in Ireland, making it one of Europe's largest potential market places for satellite broadband solutions.
The consideration for the acquisition of the customer base and related assets is a total of approximately €900K. Onwave will also provide support services for a period of 12 months to ensure a smooth transition of the customer base. The acquisition is expected to be immediately earnings enhancing
The acquisition of Onwave is the first acquisition the Company has made since listing on AIM in May 2015 and follows the Company's stated strategy of acquiring assets to increase its user base, consolidate the fragmented market, and deliver significant growth in the near-term.
In addition, SSW has recently signed a new two-year business-to-business agreement with RTE, Ireland's national public service broadcaster. SSW will provide RTE with scalable uncontended Ka bandwidth across Europe, North Africa and Middle East. This agreement complements the Onwave acquisition and provides the Company additional presence and influence in Ireland.
SSW's CEO Andrew Walwyn commented: "I am delighted to announce SSW's first acquisition since listing on AIM. Onwave is an established company with tremendous potential, and perfectly illustrates our strategy of identifying and acquiring existing operators in key European markets thereby being a leading consolidator in the market place. With many further opportunities in the pipeline, we are confident this is the first of a number of acquisitions and strategic alliances over the coming months."
Enquiries:
Satellite Solutions Worldwide Group PLC | www.satellitesolutionsworldwide.com |
Andrew Walwyn, Chief Executive Officer | Via Walbrook PR |
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Strand Hanson (Financial & Nominated Adviser) |
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Andrew Emmott / Ritchie Balmer
| Tel: +44 (0)20 7409 3494 |
Arden Partners plc (Broker) |
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Catherine Miles / Kam Bansil
| Tel: +44 (0)20 7614 5900 |
Walbrook PR (PR advisers) | Tel: +44 (0)20 7933 8790 |
Paul McManus / Paul Cornelius |
About SSW
Established in 2008 SSW offers a broad range of satellite broadband services with customers across 31 countries. With solutions targeting B2C and B2B users, and with products developed specifically for the broadcasting/SNG, Police and Military markets, SSW's brand Europasat is a leading independent provider of satellite broadband internet services across Europe.
Listing on the London Stock Exchange as SSW Group plc (AIM:SAT) on 12th May 2015, and with a track record of strong organic growth in its subscriber base and recurring revenues, the directors of SSW believe there is a major opportunity to consolidate the businesses organic growth with acquisitions throughout the fragmented European satellite broadband market.
Working closely with satellite owners and operators, SSW targets customers in the 'digital divide' with solutions that deliver up to 22 Mbps (rising to 30 Mbps later this summer) satellite based broadband services to almost any premises, whether residential, commercial or industrial across Europe, irrespective of location or local infrastructure.
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