Washington - Intelsat, a provider of satellite communications services, has put itself on the auction block, with major bidders including the team of EchoStar Communications and Liberty Media, according to various media reports.

The Wall Street Journal reported that bids, which were due on Thursday, were expected to fall in the range of $4.5-$5.5 billion.

Other offers were submitted by private equity firms, The Washington Post reported.

EchoStar owns the DISH Network satellite TV service, while Liberty is expected to take control of rival DirecTV later this year.

Intelsat, which operates 51 satellites and provides satellite capacity to TV networks and wireless carriers, is reportedly $11.5 billion in debt following several mergers and dividend payments to its private equity backers.

Intelsat so far has declined to comment on the situation.

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/2v9r2b (Washington Post)

http://tinyurl.com/34yfqy (WSJ)

http://www.intelsat.com