INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: Vizada

INDUSTRY INTERVIEW



Bob Baker
President and Chief Operating Officer
Vizada Inc.
 

Bob Baker is president and chief operating officer of Vizada Inc., a division of VIZADA, the worldwide leading provider of satellite communications services. Based in Rockville, Md., the operational headquarters for Vizada Americas, Baker oversees all operational and sales functions supporting the government and commercial markets of North and South America.

Following the September 2007 acquisition of Telenor Satellite Services, Vizada (formerly France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications) has become the leading provider of fixed and mobile satellite communications, with almost $600 million in 2007 revenue and more market share on more satellite network operator systems than any other provider in the world. Access to the world's satellite network operators' (SNO) gateways is made possible through Vizada's Global Teleport Network, which includes its five world-class teleport facilities strategically located in key geographies around the world.

Combining the technical and market expertise of the former TSS and FTMSC organizations, Vizada has more than 40 years of direct satellite innovation experience developing best-fit communications solutions for customers representing a wide range of industries, including the government and military. Together with its 400-plus global alliance of service providers located in almost every country in the world, Vizada serves the needs of numerous Department of Defense and key government agencies throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. In addition, Vizada is a leading supplier of satellite service to the United Nations and its numerous global agencies.

Q: Vizada is a relatively new brand in the Satcom market. How did your company emerge in its current form, and whatever happened to Telenor, which was a leading provider to the U.S. defense business?

A: Vizada is a new brand representing the combined human resource, technical and operational strengths of the two top industry providers-former Telenor Satellite Services and France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications-which came together in September 2007 to form a new and very powerful company. The Vizada brand name was created to represent the convergence of the words "voice" and "data," which are the two essential elements of satellite communications and which form the heart of the solutions we offer.

Today, Vizada offers an unrivalled commercial portfolio of satellite communications solutions, independent of any one satellite operator, to the U.S. government and numerous national defense agencies. With Vizada, customers can expect the same high-quality sales service, technical support and customer care they came to rely on from Telenor. For U.S. government customers, multiple contract vehicles are available for ordering Vizada service, including the newly awarded GSA Satcom II, which allows Vizada to offer a full range of products and services with the best quality and price when compared to the other GSA awardees.

Q: How does Vizada help the defense industry meet its global communication needs?

A: Vizada helps our military and government customers by giving them confidence that no matter where in the world they are operating and no matter what the environment-land, sea or air-they can rely on their communications. Vizada has a long history serving the communication needs of the numerous national governments. As an example, the White House Communications Agency (WHCA) relies on Vizada to provide mission-critical communications every time Air Force 1 takes flight, wherever in the world the president may travel. This past year, WHCA honored Vizada for the outstanding history of service Vizada consistently provides the president of the United States and the WHCA agency.

With service going to more than 7,000 commercial, business and government aircraft, Vizada was also honored in October by Inmarsat as the "best-performing aero distribution partner in 2007." Vizada offers the full range of classic aeronautical services as well as new IP-based services, including the recently launched Inmarsat Swift Broadband. Vizada also has extensive experience providing satellite communications to over 30,000 transoceanic maritime vessels, including the naval forces of most of the world and all of the major commercial shipping fleets.

Q: What makes Vizada different from other satellite service providers?

A: Vizada and its partners offer more service, solution and point-of-purchase choices than any other satellite communications provider in the world. Vizada is a multi-SNO provider, meaning we offer communications services from multiple satellite network operators-Inmarsat, Intelsat, Iridium, Eutelsat, New Skies, Panamsat, Satmex, SES and Thuraya, as examples. Our range in service offerings enables us to recommend the best solution for our customer's requirements rather than limiting the customer's choice.

Vizada also offers Vizada Solutions-leading-edge technologies providing the best in secure communications for our government and military customers. We also offer IP networking, messaging, business tools, prepaid solutions, and fixed to mobile services, all of which are exclusively available through Vizada service providers.

Vizada customers are supported by a global alliance of service provider partners serving the needs of government users and commercial customers operating in local markets worldwide. While other leading satellite providers are now preparing to sell to the market directly, Vizada believes that our philosophy of working closely with our service provider partners is key to the continued high marks we receive for customer satisfaction and repurchase intent. Because of this, Vizada is committed to maintaining active partnerships with its service providers now and into the future. ♦