SpaceX is urging regulators to reconsider the £5.5bn takeover of Viasat. The company is seeking to challenge the deal, which was previously approved and closed in May.
This week, SpaceX again entered the fight against the £5.5bn takeover of Viasat. The company is challenging the US regulators’ decision to green-light Viasat’s merger with British satellite company Inmarsat, according to a Daily Telegraph report. SpaceX has filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to “expeditiously review and rescind” the takeover verdict issued in May.
SpaceX claims that the acquisition is “contrary to the public interest” because of Viasat’s “blatant disregard” for regulations, according to its filing with the FCC. The company said the regulator “improperly” did not consider its claims the first time they were approved by regulators. Viasat satellites are used for maritime communications and defense. Although the deal is now closed, SpaceX wants to further consider transferring control of the satellites to Inmarsat.
Elon Musk has previously said that Viasat is interfering with Starlink satellites and violating licensing terms. In response, Viasat accused Starlink of raising the risk of orbital collisions by launching thousands of small satellites. Elon Musk wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that Starlink “poses a hazard to Viasat’s profits, more like it.”
Viasat provides satellite broadband, in-flight Wi-Fi and military communications. However, the company suffered a series of setbacks earlier this year. Two of its satellites failed shortly after launch. Analysts and industry reports estimate the value of the two crafts to be in excess of $1 billion. If they suffer a total loss, part of this amount will be covered by insurance.
