Emerging Markets Communications

Emerging Markets Communications (EMC) is a connectivity and content provider based in Miramar, Florida.

Company overview

EMC was founded in 2000 by Abel Avellan,[1] who is the company’s CEO.[2] The company provides satellite-distributed connectivity and content services to maritime vessels and remote terrestrial locations,[1] as well as offshore oil and gas operations.[3] EMC also has port-based wireless networks that enable incoming or nearby vessels to access HD connectivity.[4]

EMC also operates SpeedNet,[5] a web browsing technology that accelerates webpage load times over satellite connections to combat satellite latency. It also provides live streaming for pay-per-view events, such as sports games, on the mobile devices of ship passengers.[6]

Users

In 2008, EMC formed an $85 million agreement with Arabsat, providing EMC with 10 years of access to Arabsat’s satellite network.[7] The two companies launched the Trio platform in 2015, a bundled satellite service.[8] EMC has a long-term strategic partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line, providing Wi-Fi services for passengers, crew and vessel operations.[5] EMC is used by the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, as well as private companies and public corporations.[7]

Acquisitions and ownership

In 2008, EMC received $17 million from The ComVest Group. [9] In 2015, EMC acquired Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), whereupon the companies merged under EMC’s name and the company’s headquarters moved from Miami to Miramar, Florida. The combined company operates in 140 countries and has 52 field support centers in Europe, North America, South America and Africa. EMC had 300 employees, adding MTN’s 265 to its organization.[10] That year, EMC also acquired General Industry Systems (GIS) AS, adding its support centers and technical teams to its network.[11]

In 2016, Global Eagle Entertainment’s (GEE) agreed to acquire EMC for $550 million in a cash and stock deal, totaling $30 million in cash and 6.6 million shares of GEE stock upon the deal’s closing, followed by an additional $25 million in 2017. EMC’s majority owner, ABRY Partners, will receive an equity stake in GEE as a result. GEE CEO Dave Davis will become CEO of the combined company, and EMC founder Abel Avellan will be the company’s president and chief strategy officer.[1]

External links

References

  1. 1 2 3 http://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Global+Eagle+Entertainment+(ENT)+to+Acquire+Emerging+Markets+Communications+in+$550M+Cash+and+Stock+Deal/11601764.html
  2. ↑ "Ignition-backed MTN to be acquired by Emerging Market Communications". 29 April 2015.
  3. ↑ "West Africa oil and gas operations require more reliable communications".
  4. ↑ "Shipowners invest in multi-band antennas and enhanced WiFi".
  5. 1 2 "Cruise Lines Compete For Wi-Fi Supremacy". 5 May 2016.
  6. ↑ "EMC Offering Upgraded Internet Experience Over Satellite - Cruise Industry News - Cruise News".
  7. 1 2 "Arabsat and Emerging Markets Communications sign $85 million deal".
  8. ↑ Hawkes, Rebecca. "Arabsat, EMC to launch triple-play service over satellite".
  9. ↑ "ComVest Has Provided $17 Million in Financing to Emerging Markets Communications, Inc. – Comvest Partners".
  10. ↑ Sun-Sentinel, South Florida. "EMC buys MTN Communications of Miramar".
  11. ↑ "Rotor & Wing Magazine :: Emerging Markets Communications Acquires General Industry Systems AS".
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