Four healthy, profitable satellite operators are expected to issue new stock late this year or in early 2003, an event the industry’s backers hope will throw a spotlight on one of the few financial success stories in the struggling telecommunications industry.
Intelsat Ltd. of Washington, Eutelsat S.A. of Paris, SES Global of Luxembourg — three of the biggest, most-established fixed satellite service operators — are expected to offer stock on U.S. exchanges within the next 12 months, depending on market conditions.
In addition, Inmarsat Ltd. of London, the lone success story so far in mobile satellite services, is expected to proceed with an initial public offering (IPO) sometime during the same period. Inmarsat has regularly reported double-digit profit margins to its shareholders from its business of providing narrowband communications to mobile terminals for land, maritime and aeronautical use.
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