Satcom Direct Communications completes acquisition of Airbus U.S. Government business unit, operates as COMSAT.

Wednesday 9th March 2016

Global aeronautical communications provider Satcom Direct Communications, Inc. (SDC), has closed its purchase of Airbus DS SatCom Government, Inc. (ASGI), expanding its market presence and offerings to the U.S. government sector. ASGI has been renamed Satcom Direct Government, Inc. and to acknowledge its heritage as part of COMSAT Mobile, will do business as "COMSAT." The close of the acquisition is being celebrated at the Satellite 2016 conference occurring now in Washington, D.C.

SDC has acquired all of ASGI's business operations as well as two satellite earth stations located on the East and West Coasts of the United States. With a direct lineage from the COMSAT organization that was created by the Communications Satellite Act of 1962, the company has played an important role in the satellite industry from its inception to present day.

"The COMSAT name is synonymous with innovative technology and commitment to the satellite communications industry. Because this legacy will be carried on in the company as part of Satcom Direct, it seemed natural to reinstate the brand," said David Greenhill, president of SDC. "More than 60 percent of the COMSAT staff has roots in the original COMSAT organization and its influential programs. Indeed, even Satcom Direct was founded by offering COMSAT services to the aviation market."

Created at the dawn of the satellite communications industry, COMSAT's key milestones include being a founding member of Intelsat; operating the Marisat fleet network, which provided the first mobile satellite communications services to the United States Navy; and founding the initial operating system of Inmarsat from the company's two earth stations.

"This acquisition is a big step forward in expanding our presence in the U.S. government market and we look forward to the benefit it brings for existing and new customers," said Greenhill. "These new assets, combined with SDC capabilities, enable us to offer fixed and mobile satellite services in Ku, Ka, L, C, and X bands in multiple markets, including and beyond aviation."

Satcom Direct and Satcom Direct Communications:

Satcom Direct, a U.S.-based company, is the leading provider of satellite voice and broadband data solutions for flight deck and cabin communications serving business and general aviation.

Satcom Direct Communications (SDC) focuses on satellite communications support for the United States' military and government including senior leadership aircraft, command and control, intelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance (ISR), and other mission-critical airborne platforms. The company is a premier Inmarsat Distribution Partner, Iridium Service Partner, and ViaSat Yonder's preferred reseller, supporting more than ninety percent of all corporate flight departments worldwide. Satcom Direct continues to advance its services through mobile applications and value adds - from flight deck datalink to cabin communications - making Satcom Direct the leader in aeronautical satcom service.

Satcom Direct Communications provides services primarily to U.S. military and government operations. For more information regarding Satcom Direct Communications, visit www.satcomdirect.com, e-mail government@satcomdirect.com or call the SDC support office in Alexandria, VA at +1.703.549.3009.

To view Satcom Direct's portable satellite communication equipment and services, including satellite phones and BGAN units, visit www.satcomstore.com, e-mail mobileops@satcomdirect.com or call +1.321.777.0771

About COMSAT:

Headquartered in Herndon, Va., is part of Satcom Direct (SD), the leading provider of satellite voice and broadband data solutions for flight deck and cabin communications serving business, military, government, and heads of state aircraft.

With a direct lineage from the COMSAT organization that was created by the Communications Satellite Act of 1962, the company has played an important role in the SATCOM industry from its inception to present day. COMSAT offers a broad array of advanced solutions to meet U.S. military and commercial requirements, including fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, homeland security systems, public safety communications, defense electronics and avionics, and threat detection.

COMSAT's key milestones include being a founding member of Intelsat; operating the Marisat fleet network, which provided the first mobile satellite communications services to the United States Navy; and founding the initial operating system of Inmarsat from the company's two earth stations.