ABS buys Mabuhay Satellite

**Bacteria**

ABS buys Mabuhay Satellite
Chris Forrester
08-11-2009

Hong Kong-based Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) has bought Mabuhay Satellite Corp. (MSC), which is based in the Philippines. Terms were not revealed, and the agreement is subject to regulatory approval.

MSC's Agila-2 satellite is a Space Systems/Loral FS-1300 spacecraft launched in Aug 1997. The satellite has a payload consisting of 24 Standard C-Band and 6 Extended C-Band transponders covering Asia from India to Philippines, Japan to Indonesia, and a C-band spot beam over Hawaii to provide connectivity to the USA. It also has 24 Ku-band transponders covering the Philippines, Coastal China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong providing capacity for TV distribution, DTH and VSAT services.

Gabriel Z. Pimentel, CEO of MSC , said: “ABS, while one of the youngest satellite operators in Asia, has been very progressive with its recent procurement of the ABS-1A, and ABS-2 satellites as part of its fleet’s expansion. We are happy with this acquisition, which leverages the satellite operations capabilities developed through the years by Mabuhay Satellite. This will not only ensure future continuity of Mabuhay’s Subic Space Center but will thrust it into growth as this facility is further expanded to support ABS growing satellite operations needs.”

“We are very pleased and excited to work with MSC to conclude this transaction. The acquisition of MSC is very strategic for ABS because of the many synergies it creates in combining MSC's range of applications, operational expertise and business relationships with our future growth and long-term objectives. ABS will maintain all of Mabuhay's operations in the Philippines and the staff will be integrated with the ABS team,” said Mr Tom Choi, CEO of Asia Broadcast Satellite. “We feel that this is the perfect complementary marriage of the two companies.”

ABS is a fast-growing satellite operator. It operates the ABS-1 and ABS-1A satellites at 75°EL, it connects 4/5th of the world’s population covering all of Asia, the CIS region, the Middle East, most of Africa and Eastern Europe.

Back in July ABS bought the KoreaSat-2 craft, originally launched in January 1996, and renamed the satellite ABS-1A which it operates in inclined orbit from 75 deg East. ABS ordered ABS-2 in June 2009, for delivery by Space Systems/Loral in 2012 and for launch by Arianespace.

Regards,

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