Cobham Satcom and Gatehouse Satcom’s Network Division to merge

Above: Kenney Schmidt Christiansen, CEO of Gatehouse Satcom and Christophe Duret, CEO of Cobham Satcom.  Courtesy Gatehouse Satcom

This merger marks a major step in accelerating the satellite industry’s transition towards standardised 5G-based connectivity across commercial, government, defence and emerging direct-to-device markets.

The new entity – formed by combining Gatehouse Satcom and the Network Division of Cobham Satcom – will operate as a subsidiary within the Cobham Satcom Group. 

Kenney Schmidt Christiansen, current CEO of Gatehouse Satcom, will continue as CEO for the new, merged entity. Its mission will be to deliver integrated 5G NTN network solutions that strengthen interoperability and enable next generation satellite connectivity.
 
“Joining forces with Cobham Satcom gives us the scale and talent to accelerate our ambitions,” said CEO Kenney Schmidt Christiansen. “Together, we will continue developing world-class 5G NTN software and hardware for commercial, government, and defense customers, now in an even stronger structure supported by Cobham Satcom’s operational scale and network expertise.”

The joint entity brings together Cobham Satcom’s heritage in radio access network platforms and ground infrastructure, with Gatehouse Satcom’s cutting-edge 5G NTN software capabilities. It will develop the 3GPP-compatible 5G NTN software that Gatehouse Satcom has already proven in LEO, MEO and GEO, meeting the fast-growing market needs for satellite operators to provide 5G-NTN-based stand-alone or coexisting legacy services.
 
With renewed investment, expanded capabilities and a unified innovation roadmap, the new entity will maintain the existing product portfolio and expand next generation 5G/6G NTN connectivity solutions to enable our customers to serve maritime, defense, IoT, enterprise and direct-to-device markets worldwide.

Cobham Satcom will hold the majority share of the new entity and will continue serving its core maritime, government and enterprise markets, providing satellite communication offerings and products through its SAILOR, Sea Tel, EXPLORER and TRACKER brands.
 
“This acquisition creates significant strategic opportunities as the satellite communications industry undergoes rapid transformation.” Christophe Duret, CEO of Cobham Satcom, said. “By merging our Network Division’s decades of expertise with Gatehouse Satcom’s groundbreaking 5G NTN capabilities, we’re strengthening our technology roadmap and providing satellite operators and service providers with an unmatched end-to-end platform to support their transition to 5G NTN.”