Vizada

{{Short description|Worldwide satellite communications service}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox company | name = Vizada Group | logo = | image = Vizada Aussaguel Land Station.jpg | image_caption = Satellite reception antennas at Vizada's Land Earth Station located in Aussaguel, France. | type = Private Company | traded_as = | fate = defunct | predecessor = France Telecom and Telenor | successor = EADS Astrium | foundation =  | founder = | defunct =  | location = Paris, France | locations = | area_served = Worldwide | industry = Communications satellite operators | products = Mobile and fixed satellite services | services = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | assets = | equity = | owner = Apax Partners | num_employees = | parent = | divisions = | subsid = Vizada, Vizada Networks, Marlink | homepage = | footnotes = }}

'''Vizada''' was a Norwegian firm and later subsidiary brand of EADS and Marlink providing satellite communications services. It operated stations that connected satellite communications to terrestrial telecommunications and IP networks. Vizada's services covered maritime, land, and aeronautical services. In 2011, the Vizada Group was acquired by EADS and integrated as a subsidiary of Astrium.<ref name="EADS buys Vizada" />

== History == Vizada was formed in 2007 when private equity firm Apax Partners acquired France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications (FTMSC - a division of France Telecom) and Telenor Satellite Services (a division of Telenor) and merged their operations.<ref name="FTMSC and Telenor merge" /> Apax sold Vizada to EADS for 673 million euros in 2011. EADS would go on to merge Vizada with EADS Astrium, its space subsidiary.<ref name="EADS press release announcing the buyout" />

While operative as a firm, Vizada acquired and reorganized several global telecommunications entities including FTMSC and Telenor Satellite Services, as well as vertically specialized companies such as Sait Communications and TDCom. At the time of its acquisition by EADS in 2011, Vizada provided both mobile and fixed satellite telecommunications to markets including merchant shipping, defense and government, fishing and yachting, oil and gas, mining, and non-governmental organizations.

In 1998, one of Vizada's precursor firms entered into partnership with the Télécoms sans frontières (TSF), which was renewed in 2010.<ref name="Vizada enters a partnership with TSF" />

In 2016 an EADS subsidiary, reorganized and renamed as Airbus Defense and Space, consolidated several products including Vizada under the brand name Marlink.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maritime-executive.com/corporate/marlink-rebrands-as-the-global-pioneer-in-business-critical-communication-soluti|title=Marlink Rebrands As the Global Pioneer in Business Critical Communication Soluti|publisher=The Maritime Executive|date=26 Feb 2016|access-date=11 Aug 2024}}</ref> Airbus Defense and Space then sold its Marlink business and services back to Apax Partners for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/maritime-satcom-consolidation-continues-with-speedcast-purchase-of-eutelsats-wins/|title=Maritime satcom consolidation continues with SpeedCast purchase of Eutelsat's WINS|publisher=Space News|date=8 Aug 2016|access-date=11 Aug 2024}}</ref> As of 2024, Marlink no longer uses the brand name Vizada in any of its products or services.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://marlink.com/search/?search=vizada&sort=relevance&type=all|title=Search our site|publisher=Marlink.com|access-date=11 Aug 2024}}</ref>

== Vizada Group == While it existed as an independent firm, Vizada operated as '''The Vizada Group''' with three subsidiaries: * '''Vizada''' marketed global mobile and fixed satellite communications, partnering with network providers in the industry including Inmarsat, Iridium, Thuraya, Eutelsat, Intelsat, Loral, SES World Skies, and SES Americom. * '''Vizada Networks''' specialized in fixed satellite and hybrid network solutions, operating out of Oslo and Holmestrand in Norway. Vizada Networks partnered with major fixed satellite operators including Eutelsat, Intelsat, and SES World Skies. Vizada Networks had been rebranded from Taide Network, a formerly Telenor product, in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=Taide Changes Name To Vizada Networks|url=https://www.satellitetoday.com/connectivity/2008/07/02/taide-changes-name-to-vizada-networks/|publisher=Via Satellite|date=2 Jul 2008|access-date=11 Aug 2024}}</ref> * '''Marlink''' focused on maritime satellite communication.<ref name="Comsys Vsat markets" />

== See also == * VSAT

== References == {{reflist|2|refs= <ref name="FTMSC and Telenor merge">{{cite web|title= Apax Partners acquires Telenor Satellite Services |publisher= Private Equity Wire|url =https://www.privateequitywire.co.uk/apax-partners-acquires-telenor-satellite-services/|access-date= 11 Aug 2024|date=11 Sep 2007}}</ref> <ref name="Comsys Vsat markets">Comsys maritime vsat markets – 2nd edition</ref> <ref name="Vizada enters a partnership with TSF">{{cite web|title= Vizada strengthens mobile satellite offering for TSF |publisher= Telecompaper|url= https://www.telecompaper.com/news/vizada-strengthens-mobile-satellite-offering-for-tsf--727812|access-date= 11 Aug 2024|date=2 Apr 2010}}</ref> <ref name="EADS press release announcing the buyout">{{cite web|title= Vizada to Merge with EADS Astrium Following $969 Million Acquisition |publisher= Via Satellite|url =https://www.satellitetoday.com/connectivity/2011/08/01/vizada-to-merge-with-eads-astrium-following-969-million-acquisition/|access-date= 11 Aug 2024|date=1 Aug 2011}}</ref> <ref name="EADS buys Vizada">{{cite web|title= EADS's Astrium Satellite Unit Buys Vizada to Build U.S. Presence, Services |publisher= Bloomberg|url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-01/eads-to-buy-apax-satellite-communications-unit-vizada-for-960-million.html|access-date= 23 August 2011}}</ref> }}

== External links == * {{in lang|en}} [http://marlink.com Marlink website]

Category:Communications satellite operators