BOSTON & HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TA Associates, a leading global growth private equity firm, has partnered with its portfolio company SpeedCast Ltd (SpeedCast), a Hong Kong-based global network and satellite communications service provider, to complete the acquisition of Pactel International (Pactel), a leading satellite communications service provider based in Australia.

Pactel provides satellite communications solutions throughout Australia and the Pacific. The Company offers Internet, private networking and voice services to a diverse group of customers, including large oil & gas operators, telecom companies, governments and multinational mining companies. Pactel is well known for its expertise and ability to deliver complete communications solutions, including complex data networks and IT solutions. Founded in 1999, Pactel is headquartered in Sydney, with additional offices in Perth, Australia and Jakarta, Indonesia.

“As a well-established, long-time provider of reliable satellite solutions, Pactel is an ideal fit with our consolidation strategy and growth plans of strengthening SpeedCast’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Edward F. Sippel, Managing Principal – Asia Pacific, TA Associates Asia Pacific Ltd. “Through the Pactel acquisition and our earlier investments, we have created a business of scale that can even more effectively serve the needs of satellite communications customers. We anticipate there will be additional consolidation opportunities to grow SpeedCast’s leadership position in this fragmented industry in Asia-Pacific.” Mr. Sippel and Michael S. Berk, a Managing Director at TA Associates, are both members of the Board of Directors of SpeedCast.

“We are very pleased to complete the acquisition of Pactel,” said Pierre-Jean Beylier, CEO, SpeedCast. “This acquisition further strengthens our position in Australia with new points of presence and infrastructure across the continent, while also offering deep inroads into the expansive Pacific Island market. We will leverage Pactel’s outstanding management team and SpeedCast's expertise to continue offering unprecedented levels of service and support to our customers in the region.”

TA completed a buyout of SpeedCast in September 2012 with a plan to execute a consolidation strategy in the Asia-Pacific satellite communications industry. The buyout of Pactel follows the December 2012 acquisition of Australian Satellite Communications (ASC), and the January 2013 buyout of Netherlands-based Elektrikom Satellite Service.

TA Associates has been actively identifying opportunities and closing investments in both Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. The firm recently completed a significant investment in Melbourne, Australia-based Nintex Group Pty. Ltd., a global provider of workflow software solutions. Together with the Pactel and ASC acquisitions, TA has been involved in three investments in Australia in the last six months. In addition to its 2012 buyout of Hong Kong-based SpeedCast, TA has also invested in two other companies operating in China and five companies in India. These investments span industries from technology to healthcare to mining services, and have been both minority investments and buyouts in growth companies.

About TA Associates

Founded in 1968, TA Associates is one of the largest and most experienced global middle-market growth private equity firms. The firm has invested in more than 425 companies around the world and has raised $18 billion in capital. With offices in Boston, Menlo Park, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong, TA Associates leads buyouts and minority recapitalizations of profitable growth companies in the technology, financial services, business services, healthcare and consumer industries. More information about TA Associates can be found at www.ta.com.

About SpeedCast

SpeedCast is a leading global network and satellite communications service provider offering high- quality managed networks services in over 35 countries throughout Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and Africa; and a global maritime network serving customers worldwide. SpeedCast is owned and controlled by U.S. entities. With 13 international sales & support offices and 25 teleport operations, SpeedCast has a unique infrastructure to serve corporate and carriers' requirements globally. SpeedCast has distinguished itself with a strong operational expertise and a highly efficient support organization, which are the foundation of SpeedCast's success. For more information, visit www.speedcast.com.

About Pactel International

Pactel is an Australian-based global satellite communications provider, supplying connectivity across all areas of the Asia-Pacific region. Offerings range from commercial and corporate to carrier-grade networks that support services such as Internet, private WAN, telephony and voice and mobile GSM. For more information, visit www.pactelint.com.