Viasat set to win unconditional EU okay for Inmarsat deal: Source

BRUSSELS: U.S. company Viasat is set to gain unconditional EU antitrust approval for its $7.3 billion bid for British satellite rival Inmarsat, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said on Thursday.

The companies, which compete with market leaders Panasonic and Intelsat in the market for wi-fi on long-haul flights, announced the tie-up in late 2021.

The European Commission’s decision could come as early as Thursday, although the timing could still change, the person said.

The EU executive, which acts as the antitrust watchdog in the 27-country European Union and is scheduled to decide on the deal by June 29, declined to comment.