GlobaBaker & McKenzie has advised ViaSat, Inc., a global broadband services and technology company, on the Swiss aspects of its new joint venture with Eutelsat Communications, combining ViaSat’s industry-leading broadband technologies and consumer Internet Service Provider business expertise with Eutelsat’s European broadband business.

The joint venture will consist of two businesses coordinating efforts to expand the European broadband market. Wholesale services will be focused on providing wholesale broadband services in the European and Mediterranean regions to the newly established retail services business and existing Eutelsat distributors. Eutelsat will contribute its current European broadband business including the KA-SAT satellite, while ViaSat will continue to provide selected broadband technologies for KA-SAT gateways and terminals.

ViaSat will acquire a 49 percent interest in the wholesale business for a consideration of EUR 132.5 million. Retail services will be focused on building a direct-to-consumer ISP business in Europe and will be owned 51 percent by ViaSat and 49 percent by Eutelsat. Completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, and is currently expected to occur in the second quarter of 2016.

The Baker & McKenzie team advising on Swiss law was led by Zurich partner Alexander Fischer and associate Matthias Trautmann. Alexander Fischer said: "It was a pleasure advising ViaSat on this ambitious project which will expand wholesale broadband services and launch a new and innovative consumer retail service in Europe."