Satellite industry veteran Mark Rigolle appointed CEO of ABS amid company changes

WEB DESK: Satellite industry veteran Mark Rigolle has been appointed as the new CEO of for Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) on Monday following the departure of Amit Somani earlier this year.

According to reports, Rigolle will assume the role on April 29. Previously, he served as the chief operating officer (COO) for Rivada Space Networks’ low Earth orbit constellation.

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The Asia Broadcast Satellite is a regional satellite operator based in Dubai, UAE. It provides connectivity and broadband services across various regions. The company recently rebranded from “Asia Broadcast Satellite” to “Agility Beyond Space”.

Somani’s departure in January came after less than two years with ABS due to “personal reasons”, as per company statement. ABS underwent others changes during same time period, including a name change. Rigolle’s appointment signals the ABS’s push towards building long-term relationships in the industry under new ownership, although the details of the ownership structure have not been disclosed.

ABS reported increased revenue from sales to other operators in its latest earnings report, with a focus on strategic partnerships for its spectrum rights covering multiple regions.

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According to industry analysts, ABS hopes to leverage Rigolle’s expertise in the evolving realm of fixed satellite services, especially in the face of growing competition from SpaceX’s LEO network and other industry contenders. Analysts say his appointment is “crucial” for ABS’s growth strategy.