Speedcast
Speedcast is a global communications provider specializing in satellite connectivity, managed networks, and communications services for maritime, energy, government, enterprise, and other remote operations.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Speedcast is a communications technology company focused on satellite connectivity and managed communications networks. Its services are designed for organizations operating across geographically dispersed, infrastructure-constrained, or mobile environments, including maritime fleets, offshore energy installations, governments, humanitarian operations, and enterprises with remote sites. The company combines satellite capacity, terrestrial connectivity, network operations, cybersecurity, cloud and information-technology services, and field support into managed communications solutions. The business was founded in September 1999 by Thomas Choi. AsiaSat became a primary shareholder in 2000 and acquired full ownership in 2007. The company became Speedcast Ltd. in 2010 and was sold by AsiaSat to private-equity firm TA Associates in 2012. During 2012 and 2013, Speedcast acquired Australian Satellite Communications, Elektrikom Satellite Service, and Pactel International, creating a broader international operating group. Speedcast expanded rapidly through a series of acquisitions. It purchased Oceanic Broadband in 2014 and completed several transactions in 2015, including Geolink Satellite Services, Hermes Data Communications International, NewSat, SAIT Communications, ST Teleport, and Newcom International. It subsequently acquired WINS, Harris CapRock, UltiSat, and Globecomm. These transactions broadened the company’s geographic reach and added capabilities in maritime connectivity, remote-site communications, government services, satellite teleport operations, and specialized network integration. The company was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in August 2014 under the ticker SDA. Its expansion and the integration of acquired businesses increased the scale of its operations, but the company later encountered financial and operational difficulties. In early 2020, Speedcast said it was seeking a new chief executive after the departure of Pierre-Jean Beylier, while its board warned that its 2019 financial results might not meet previous guidance. Trading in the company’s shares was suspended on 3 February 2020. Speedcast International filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States on 23 April 2020. Speedcast completed its restructuring and emerged from Chapter 11 on 11 March 2021 under the ownership of Centerbridge Partners, L.P. Joe Spytek served as chief executive during the post-restructuring period, and Jim Frownfelter was identified as chief executive in January 2024. The company’s brand remains associated with global managed satellite communications, particularly connectivity for maritime and other remote operating environments. Publicly available reference material does not establish a current headquarters, current ownership structure beyond Centerbridge’s post-restructuring ownership, or a complete current executive roster.
History
Speedcast was founded in September 1999 by Thomas Choi as a communications company focused on satellite-based connectivity. AsiaSat became a primary shareholder in March 2000 and acquired all of the company’s shares in November 2007. The business became Speedcast Ltd. in 2010 and later entered a major expansion phase under private-equity ownership. TA Associates completed its acquisition of Speedcast from AsiaSat in September 2012. Speedcast then built a larger group through acquisitions. Australian Satellite Communications was acquired in December 2012, Elektrikom Satellite Service in January 2013, and Pactel International in April 2013. These transactions created a broader operating platform spanning Australia, Europe, and other international markets. In June 2014, Speedcast acquired Oceanic Broadband, an Australian systems integrator. The company was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in August 2014 under the ticker SDA. Expansion accelerated in 2015, when Speedcast acquired Geolink Satellite Services, Hermes Data Communications International, NewSat, SAIT Communications, ST Teleport, and Newcom International. The acquisitions added satellite communications, mobile-satellite services, teleport infrastructure, maritime capabilities, and regional coverage in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Speedcast continued its acquisition strategy in 2016 and 2017. WINS Limited, a European provider of broadband satellite communications and information-technology services for maritime customers, was acquired in August 2016. Harris CapRock, which specialized in communications for remote environments, joined Speedcast on 1 January 2017. In July 2017, Speedcast announced an agreement to acquire UltiSat, supporting the creation of a government-focused division. In December of that year, the company worked with the British Government on a shared LTE network providing 5 Mbit/s service to residents of Adamstown in the Pitcairn Islands. In late 2018, Speedcast acquired Globecomm for a reported US$135 million. The deal was presented as a strategic opportunity to expand Speedcast’s communications capabilities, although Globecomm later experienced weakness in maritime business and delays involving government projects. The scale and complexity of Speedcast’s acquisition-led growth contributed to later financial pressure. The company’s financial position became increasingly difficult around 2019 and 2020. Pierre-Jean Beylier resigned as chief executive in February 2020 after the board cautioned that the company’s 2019 results might fall outside previous guidance. Peter Shaper and Joe Spytek served as interim co-chief executives. Trading in Speedcast shares was suspended on 3 February 2020, and Speedcast International filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States on 23 April 2020. Speedcast announced on 11 March 2021 that it had completed its restructuring and emerged from Chapter 11 under the ownership of Centerbridge Partners, L.P. Joe Spytek became chief executive during the post-restructuring period. Jim Frownfelter was identified as chief executive in January 2024. The company continues to be described as a global satellite communications and managed-network provider serving maritime, energy, government, enterprise, and remote-site customers.
- 2021
Speedcast emerges from restructuring
[1]Speedcast completed its restructuring and exited Chapter 11 on 11 March under Centerbridge Partners ownership.
- 2020
Trading suspended and Chapter 11 filed
[1]Trading was suspended on 3 February, followed by Speedcast International’s Chapter 11 filing on 23 April.
- 2018
Globecomm acquired
[1]Speedcast acquired Globecomm in late 2018 in a transaction reported at US$135 million.
- 2017
Government communications division expanded
[1]Speedcast announced its agreement to acquire UltiSat, supporting the creation of a new government division.
- 2014
Speedcast lists on the ASX
[1]Speedcast became publicly traded on the Australian Securities Exchange under ticker SDA in August 2014.
- 2012
TA Associates completes buyout
[1]TA Associates acquired Speedcast from AsiaSat in September 2012.
- 2010
Company becomes Speedcast Ltd.
[1]The business adopted the Speedcast Ltd. corporate form.
- 2007
AsiaSat acquires full ownership
[1]AsiaSat purchased all remaining shares in November 2007.
- 2000
AsiaSat becomes a primary shareholder
[1]AsiaSat became a primary shareholder in Speedcast in March 2000.
- 1999
Speedcast founded
[1]Thomas Choi founded Speedcast in September 1999 as a satellite communications company.
Products and positioning
A global managed communications partner for organizations that require reliable connectivity across ships, offshore facilities, remote industrial sites, government locations, and other environments where conventional terrestrial networks are limited.
Satellite communications
Maritime connectivity
Speedcast provides connectivity and communications services for commercial vessels, offshore platforms, and other maritime users. The offering is built around satellite broadband and managed network operations, with supporting information-technology services intended to connect crews, vessels, operational systems, and shore-based organizations across international routes.
Managed networks
Remote-site communications
These services support energy, mining, industrial, and other customers operating outside reliable terrestrial-network coverage. Speedcast combines satellite capacity, network design, monitoring, service management, and field support to provide communications for offshore installations, remote facilities, and geographically distributed operations.
Government and public-sector communications · 2017
Government communications
Speedcast’s government-oriented activities provide satellite and managed communications for public-sector, defense-related, humanitarian, and emergency-response environments. The acquisition of UltiSat was associated with the formation of a dedicated government division and expanded the group’s ability to serve specialized public-sector requirements.
Satellite infrastructure
Satellite network and teleport services
The company operates and manages satellite communications infrastructure, including teleport and network capabilities obtained through acquisitions such as ST Teleport and other satellite service providers. These capabilities support the delivery, monitoring, and integration of communications services across multiple regions and customer sectors.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017Adamstown shared LTE network
Pitcairn Islands
Speedcast partnered with the British Government to provide residents of Adamstown on the Pitcairn Islands with a shared LTE network using a 5 Mbit/s service.
Outcome. The project extended shared mobile connectivity to a remote island community.
Brand decisions
2020
Chapter 11 restructuringStrategyBackground
The company faced financial pressure after rapid acquisition-led expansion, weaker maritime activity, project delays, and concerns about its 2019 financial performance.
Action taken
Speedcast International filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States on 23 April 2020.
Aftermath
The company completed its restructuring and emerged from Chapter 11 in March 2021 under Centerbridge Partners ownership.
2018
Globecomm acquisitionM&ABackground
Speedcast pursued a strategic expansion of its communications infrastructure and customer reach.
Action taken
Speedcast acquired Globecomm in late 2018.
Aftermath
Globecomm later experienced a decline in maritime business and delays affecting government projects in its pipeline, contributing to pressure on the combined business.
Reported acquisition value. US$135 million (Late 2018)
2017
UltiSat acquisition agreementM&ABackground
Speedcast sought to increase its presence in government and specialized public-sector communications.
Action taken
The company announced an agreement to acquire UltiSat in July 2017.
Aftermath
The transaction supported the creation of a new government division.
2014
Australian Securities Exchange listingOtherBackground
After expanding its operating platform through acquisitions, Speedcast pursued public-market access.
Action taken
The company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in August 2014 under ticker SDA.
Aftermath
Speedcast remained publicly traded until trading was suspended in February 2020.
2012
TA Associates acquisitionM&ABackground
Speedcast moved from AsiaSat ownership to private-equity ownership as it prepared for broader international expansion.
Action taken
TA Associates completed its buyout of Speedcast Ltd. in September 2012.
Aftermath
The transaction was followed by a multi-year acquisition program that created a larger global satellite communications group.
Recent events
SatPort completes acquisition of Speedcast teleport business[3]
Reported:
SatPort Infrastructure completed its acquisition of Speedcast's teleport infrastructure business, comprising 12 teleports across 11 countries and five continents.
- Unconfirmed
Speedcast directors to act as co-CEOs[4]
Reported:
Speedcast directors Peter Shaper and Joe Spytek are to act as co-CEOs until a replacement for PJ Beylier is found.
Speedcast warns FY19 earnings may be below prior guidance[4]
Reported:
Speedcast cautioned that its FY19 earnings result could be around 10% below prior guidance.
- Unconfirmed
Speedcast CEO PJ Beylier resigns[4]
Reported:
Speedcast CEO PJ Beylier resigned from the post following what he described as a challenging year.
- Unconfirmed
NBN Co began delivering its Business Satellite Service[5]
Reported:
NBN Co began delivering its Business Satellite Service in collaboration with Speedcast to business and government users in regional and remote parts of Australia. Speedcast designed, built and manages the service network.
Speedcast announces Sebastien Lehnherr's planned departure[6]
Reported:
Speedcast announced that COO Sebastien Lehnherr would leave the company after a transition period in mid-December.
Speedcast announces Jennifer Grigel's planned COO appointment[6]
Reported:
Speedcast announced that Jennifer Grigel had secured the role of Chief Operating Officer, with her appointment planned to commence in early 2020.
Sources8 sources
- 1Speedcasten.wikipedia.org
- 2Speedcast official websitespeedcast.com
- 3SatPort完成收购Speedcast传送站基础设施业务finanznachrichten.de
- 4Speedcast董事将担任联席首席执行官arnnet.com.au
- 5NBN Co开始提供商业卫星服务prnewswire.com
- 6Speedcast宣布Sebastien Lehnherr计划离任abnnewswire.net
- 7NBN Co Launches Groundbreaking Business Satellite Service Created, Designed and Managed by Speedcasttvtechnology.com
- 8NBN Co Launches Groundbreaking Business Satellite Service Created, Designed and Managed by Speedcast (ASX:SDA)abnnewswire.net
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