Viasat / Inmarsat merger inquiry
The CMA is investigating the anticipated acquisition by Viasat of Inmarsat.
Phase 2
Administrative timetable
Date of reference: 14 October 2022
Statutory deadline: 25 May 2023
- (updated 28.3.23)
Contact
Send written representations about any competition or public interest to general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk.
Final report
9 May 2023: The CMA has announced its final decision, we will publish the final report as soon as practical.
- (10.5.23)
- (10.523)
- (9.5.23)
- Press release: Satellite merger approved after in-depth CMA probe. (9.5.23)
Evidence
The publication of the evidence of any party on the CMA’s webpages does not indicate in any way endorsement by the CMA of the views expressed in the evidence or acceptance of that evidence. Publication in this way is designed to assist public understanding of the issues.
Notice of extension for statutory period
- (28.3.23)
Responses to provisional findings
- (28.3.23)
- (28.3.23)
- (28.3.23)
- (28.3.23)
- (28.3.23)
- (28.3.23)
Provisional findings
1 March 2023: The CMA has provisionally cleared the anticipated acquisition by Viasat, Inc. of Inmarsat Group Holdings Limited.
- (2.3.23)
- (2.3.23)
- (1.3.23)
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(1.3.23)
- Press notice: CMA provisionally clears satellite comms deal following in-depth review
Initial submission / response to the issues statement
- (9.12.22)
- (9.12.22)
Issues statement
08 November 2022: The issues statement sets out the scope of the inquiry. It outlines initial theories on what might be adversely affecting competition, but it does not set out findings or conclusions. The deadline for submissions on the issues statement is 5pm, 22 November 2022.
- (8.11.22)
Inquiry group appointed
14 October 2022: The CMA has appointed the inquiry group:
Richard Feasey (Chair), Colleen Keck, David Thomas and Crispin Wright.
Terms of reference
14 October 2022: The CMA has referred the anticipated acquisition by Viasat, Inc. of Connect Topco Limited for an in-depth investigation.
- (17.10.22)
Statutory timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 31 October 2022 | Decision published |
| 6 October 2022 | Decision announced |
| 25 July 2022 to 15 August 2022 | Invitation to comment |
| 9 August 2022 | Launch of merger inquiry |
Reference decision
14 October 2022: The CMA has referred the anticipated acquisition by Viasat, Inc. of Connect Topco Limited for an in-depth investigation, on the basis that, on the information currently available to it, it is or may be the case that this merger has resulted or may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom.
- (14.10.22)
Phase 1
Reference unless undertakings accepted
6 October 2022: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns.
- (31.10.22)
- (6.10.22)
- News Story: Satellite communications deal raises competition concerns (6.10.22)
Launch of merger inquiry
9 August 2022: the CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.
- (9.8.22)
Invitation to comment: closed
25 July 2022: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.
To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party.
These comments should be provided by the deadline set out above.
Contact
Please send written representations about any competition issues to:
Updates to this page
Last updated 10 May 2023 + show all updates
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Full text, appendices and Glossary published.
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Summary of final report published.
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Administrative timetable updated and responses to provisional findings and notice of extension published.
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Full provisional findings report, appendices and glossary published.
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Summary of provisionally findings and notice of provisional findings published.
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Parties' initial submissions published.
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Issues statement published.
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Full text decision published.
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Administrative timetable published.
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Terms of reference published.
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Terms of reference and decision to refer published.
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Summary of phase 1 decision published
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Update to the statutory deadline published.
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Commencement notice published.
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First published.