Apax Buys Telenor Services

PARIS, OSLO, Norway, and ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Apax Partners France today announced that it has successfully completed its acquisition of Telenor Satellite Services and is incorporating the company into the new Vizada brand.

Apax now combines the resources of two industry veterans - the former Telenor Satellite Services (TSS) and the former France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications (FTMSC) under the Vizada brand - maintaining continuity of service for existing customers while creating a new market leader in the global satellite communications industry. FTMSC was rebranded Vizada in June 2007. Vizada provides customized and off-the-shelf communication solutions, an extensive global distribution network and several decades of satellite experience.

Instantly becoming a market leader in the global satellite communications industry, Vizada serves customers through a worldwide network of more than 400 distribution partners. It is one of the world's largest providers of two-way satellite communications services.

Vizada offers both mobile and fixed satellite communications services from multiple satellite systems such as Eutelsat, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Iridium, Loral, New Skies, SES Americom, and Thuraya, among others.

Going forward, Vizada's services will be organized into two lines of business, each providing customers with the most appropriate and cost-effective communications solutions: Mobile Satellite Services (MSS), offering standardized communications solutions, and Fixed Satellite Solutions (FSS), selling VSAT (very small aperture terminals) and integrated hybrid networks.

"Vizada combines the resources of talented employees, superior technology and global infrastructure to provide the best satellite communications solutions, service and support to each Vizada reseller and end-user, now and well into the future," said Vizada Group CEO and Chairman Michael Collins.

Apax Partners

Telenor Group (Nasdaq: TELN)