Eutelsat Communications and key OneWeb shareholders have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create a leading global player in connectivity through the combination of both companies in an all-share transaction.
Pursuant to the MoU, Eutelsat will combine its 36-strong fleet of geostationary (GEO) satellites with OneWeb’s constellation of 648 low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, of which 428 are currently in orbit. The transaction would be structured as an exchange of OneWeb shares by its shareholders with new shares issued by Eutelsat, such that, at closing, Eutelsat would own 100 per cent of OneWeb, excluding the special share of the government of the UK. OneWeb shareholders would receive 230 million newly issued Eutelsat shares representing 50 per cent of the enlarged share capital.
The potential transaction builds on the deepening collaboration between Eutelsat and OneWeb, which began with the equity stake acquired by Eutelsat in OneWeb in April 2021, the global distribution agreement between Eutelsat and OneWeb announced in March 2022, and the new exclusive commercial partnership, addressing mainly the European and global cruise markets, signed on July 26, 2022.
Commenting on the combination, Dominique D’Hinnin, chairman, Eutelsat, said “I am delighted to announce this new and significant step in the collaboration between Eutelsat and OneWeb. Bringing together our two businesses will deliver a global first, combining LEO constellations and GEO assets to seize the significant growth opportunity in connectivity, and deliver to our customers solutions to their needs across an even wider range of applications. This combination will accelerate the commercialisation of OneWeb’s fleet, while enhancing the attractiveness of Eutelsat’s growth profile. In addition, the combination carries significant value creation potential, anchored on a balanced mix of revenue, cost and capex synergies. The strong support of strategic shareholders of both parties is a testament to the huge opportunity that this combination offers and the value that will be created for all its stakeholders. This is truly a game changer for our industry.”
Meanwhile, Sunil Bharti Mittal, executive chairman, OneWeb, said “Having played a pioneering role in providing connectivity in the emerging world, I am excited about the possibilities of connecting the unconnected. The combination of Eutelsat and OneWeb represents a significant development in that direction as well as a unique GEO/LEO combination. The positive early results of our service together with our strong pipeline represent a very exciting opportunity in the fast-growing satellite connectivity segment, especially for customers requiring a high speed, low latency experience. Our customers are actively seeking a combined GEO/LEO offering leading us towards this important step. Bharti, as the lead shareholder of OneWeb, along with other key shareholders, is looking forward to playing a meaningful role in providing expanded connectivity through the combination of OneWeb and Eutelsat.”
Further, Eva Berneke, CEO, Eutelsat, said “Our initial investment in OneWeb was underpinned by our strong belief that the future growth in Connectivity will be driven by both GEO and LEO capacity. This belief has intensified as our relationship with OneWeb has deepened, first by raising our stake in the company, and then with the global distribution agreement signed a few months ago. We are now moving to the next level, with a full combination that will ensure the potential of the GEO/LEO integration is fully realised, supported by compelling financial, strategic, and industrial logic. This ground-breaking combination will create a powerful global player with the financial strength and technical expertise to accelerate both OneWeb’s commercial deployment, and Eutelsat’s pivot to connectivity. The combined entity will be geared towards profitable growth, with strong medium-term cash flow generation and a rapid deleveraging driven by strong forecast EBITDA growth. The benefits for our customers and strategic partners, who are at the centre of our strategy, are both significant and unique. This is also a very exciting opportunity for our employees who will be key to the success of this transformation.”
Also, Neil Masterson, CEO, OneWeb, said “Just 20 months ago, OneWeb resumed its mission to connect the unconnected and remove the barriers to connectivity that hold back many of the world’s underserved economies and communities. Since then, we have turned this vision into reality and become the second largest LEO satellite operator in the world. Today’s announcement is another bold step in OneWeb’s remarkable journey. It is a testament to the resilience, execution and innovation of our teams, the strong demand we have seen since launching our commercial services, and the close collaboration we have forged with our partners to provide high-speed, low latency connectivity for governments, businesses, and communities. This combination accelerates our mission to deliver connectivity that will change lives at scale and create a fast-growing, well-funded company which will continue to create significant value for our shareholders.”
Eutelsat and OneWeb will address the considerable connectivity market opportunity, which is fuelled by the growing needs of customers in both the business-to-business and business-to-consumer segments for consistent, reliable connectivity. These market segments are forecast to grow by three and five times respectively over the next decade, to reach a combined value of circa $16 billion by 2030, with growth being served by both GEO high-throughput satellite (HTS) and LEO capacity. The combination of the network density, compelling economics and high throughput of GEO with the low latency and ubiquity of LEO, creates the optimal solution to address an even wider range of customer needs, thereby expanding the addressable market.
Moreover, the operations of Eutelsat and OneWeb are highly complementary. A clear roadmap has been designed to develop over time a complementary GEO/LEO service including a common platform, hybrid terminals and a fully mutualized network creating a one-stop-shop solution for customers, providing them with a unique offering and a seamless user experience.
The combination of Eutelsat with OneWeb is forecast to generate substantial value. Average annual revenue synergies are estimated at circa €150 million after four years, with hybrid GEO/LEO offerings providing a premium service to customers as well as improving the fill rate. Synergies from joining organisational forces are expected to generate annual run-rate savings of over €80 million pre-tax after five years, mostly through cost duplication avoidance. Capex optimisation is expected to generate average savings estimated at circa €80 million per annum, from year one. This would be achieved by leveraging the hybrid GEO/LEO satellite infrastructure and through the improved purchasing power of the combined entity. These sources of incremental value creation represent a balanced split between revenues, costs and capex. Taken together they equate to a net present value of over €1.5 billion after tax.
The transaction provides a platform for both entities to create value while transforming their respective growth profiles and cash generation potential. The combined entity would have revenues of circa €1.2 billion and EBITDA of circa €0.7 billion in the fiscal year 2023. Revenues are forecast to grow at a low double-digit compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next decade. EBITDA is expected to grow at a mid-teen CAGR over the medium to long term, outpacing sales growth, with EBITDA margin levels moving gradually back in line with best-in-class GEO standards. The capex of the combined entity is estimated on average at some €725 million to €875 million per annum over the period of fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2030.
Further, Eutelsat’s strong cash flow generation will provide both visibility and funding to develop OneWeb’s fleet at minimal risk. Combined EBITDA – capex, standing at circa -€0.2 billion in fiscal 2023 is expected to be back in positive territory by fiscal 2025 to 2026. Eutelsat will temporarily suspend its dividend, and cash flow will be focused on the deployment of the Gen 2 constellation while maintaining a strong balance sheet. Leverage, which would stand at circa 4 times net debt / EBITDA post transaction, is expected to be reduced on the back of strong EBITDA growth, backed by a disciplined financial policy, with an objective of leverage of circa 3 times in the medium term. Eutelsat will pay its dividend in respect of fiscal 2022 with a scrip option. Thereafter, the dividend will be suspended for fiscal 2023 and 2024.
The number of new Eutelsat shares to be received by existing OneWeb shareholders would not be affected by the payment of the €0.93 per share dividend with a scrip option for fiscal 2022 to be proposed at the upcoming annual general meeting of Eutelsat. Trading under its existing name, OneWeb will continue to operate the LEO business, with OneWeb’s headquarters remaining in the UK. Meanwhile, Eutelsat will continue to be headquartered and domiciled in France, listed on Euronext Paris and would apply for admission to the standard segment of the UK official list of the UK Financial Conduct Authority and to trading on the London Stock Exchange, subject to meeting the applicable eligibility requirements and the approval of the UK Financial Conduct Authority.
Moreover, the combined entity will have a balanced ownership structure with a substantial free float alongside anchor public shareholders and supportive private investors. The board of directors of the combined group would consist of 15 members including ten independent directors. Seven directors, in addition to the CEO of Eutelsat, would be proposed by Eutelsat and its key shareholders and seven directors would be proposed by OneWeb and its key shareholders, the number of directors proposed by each of key Eutelsat and OneWeb shareholders being commensurate to their shareholding in Eutelsat post transaction. It is contemplated that, post-closing, a shareholder agreement between Eutelsat key shareholders and OneWeb key shareholders which does not qualify as a concerted action be in place. It would in substance provide for the right for each party to propose 1 director if its shareholding is at least 7.5 per cent, and 2 directors if its shareholding is at least 15 per cent, as well as a 6-month lock-up period.
Dominique D’Hinnin would be proposed as chairman of the combined entity and Sunil Bharti Mittal as co-chairman (vice-president). Eva Berneke would continue as CEO of the combined entity.
The MoU has been unanimously approved by each of Eutelsat’s and OneWeb’s board of directors and the envisaged transaction is fully supported by both parties’ long-term investors, namely Bpifrance, Fonds Stratégique de Participations, Bharti, HMG, SoftBank and Hanwha. CMA CGM, a shareholder of Eutelsat, is also supporting the proposed combination. It will be submitted to the French Eutelsat Works Council information and consultation process.
The MoU provides for customary exclusivity commitments by Eutelsat and key Eutelsat and OneWeb shareholders. The transaction will be subject to clearance from relevant regulatory authorities. The transaction will also be conditional on approval by Eutelsat’s shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of Eutelsat, to take place by end of first half 2023. Bpifrance and Fonds Stratégique de Participations have undertaken to vote in favour of the transaction-related resolutions at this EGM, subject to usual conditions. The transaction is expected to close by the end of first half of 2023.
With its uniquely superior GEO/LEO offerings, complementing high throughput with low latency, the combined entity will help bolster the satellite communication capabilities of India, catering to the varied range of needs of the private industry as well as the government. Coming at a crucial time when the Indian space policy is on the anvil, the new entity shall provide further impetus to the recently signed agreement on space coordination between India and France. As the largest shareholder in the combined entity, Bharti will continue its full interest in Oneweb, via Eutelsat. Oneweb India will also become a subsidiary of the Eutelsat JV post FDI clearances, and with its unique capabilities of covering all unconnected white spaces, is confident of furthering the objective of a digitally connected India.
