Eutelsat Communications posted revenue of
EUR 295.4 million in the first quarter ended September in 2011-2012, growing at
3.4 percent.
Revenues grew despite limited available
in-orbit Ku-band capacity.
Video applications revenue grew to EUR
195.5 million from EUR 198.2 million, showing a growth of 1.4 percent.
Revenue from data and value added services
increased to EUR 58.9 million from EUR 59.6 million, clocking 1.2 percent
growth. Multi-usage revenue increased to EUR 28.8 million from EUR 36.2
million, registering growth of 25.9 percent.
“The revenue growth reflects a temporary
transitional period for the Group until current capacity constraints, resulting
from two years of stronger than expected up-take of our in-orbit resources, are
alleviated. Two new satellites, ATLANTIC BIRD 7 and W3C, will enter into full
commercial service during the second quarter.
“Both of these satellites cover
fast-growing video markets including the Middle East, North Africa
and Central Europe. The W3C satellite will also significantly expand our
capacity to serve data markets in Europe, Africa, the Middle East,
and Central Asia,” said Michel de Rosen, CEO of Eutelsat.
The availability of these replacement and
expansion resources, and a further five satellites to be launched between now
and June 2014, will enable Eutelsat to meet continued solid underlying demand
in our markets.
VIDEO APPLICATIONS (67.4 percent of
revenues)
Revenues from Video Applications rose 1.4
percent to EUR 198.2 million. This result reflects capacity constraints
occasioned by the rapid take-up of in-orbit capacity that became available in
2009-2010, and the 12 month delay in the arrival of new capacity at 16° East
following the non-availability of the W3B satellite.
The number of TV channels across Eutelsat’s
fleet continued to increase, demonstrating the dynamism of television broadcasting.
At September 30, 2011, Eutelsat’s fleet was transmitting a total of 3,952
television channels, up 252, from 3,700 last year. The number of channels
broadcast in High Definition reached 239, up 24 percent, from 192.
7″ West, with coverage of the Middle East
and North Africa, saw the number of channels increase by 45. The 7″ West
neighborhood now carries 394 television channels, comprising a mix of Arab
language content and international channels;
36′ East covering Russia and Sub-Saharan
Africa, saw an increase in the number of TV channels (up 117) and now
broadcasts a total of 686 channels. These markets benefitted in 2010 from the
arrival of the W7 satellite, which more than doubled capacity.
DATA AND VALUE ADDED SERVICES (20.3 percent
of revenues)
Data Services revenues grew by 2.5 percent
to EUR 48.3 million, following recent years of double-digit growth, fuelled by
the entry into service of the W2A satellite in May 2009, and the W7 satellite,
in January 2010. Carrying Ku-band and C-band capacity to serve Africa, the
Middle East and Central Asia, these satellites enjoyed record ramp-up
reflecting the dynamism of these markets.
With two wide beams covering Europe, the
Middle East, Africa and Central Asia facilitating GSM backhaul, enterprise
networks, and Internet backbone connectivity, the W3C satellite is scheduled to
enter into service on 9 November, and will provide additional resources to meet
the demand of data customers.
Value added services revenues were EUR 11.3
million, down 3.9 percent. This reflected an unfavourable year-on-year
comparison base for D-STAR revenues, as the first quarter last year was boosted
by the sale of terminals to support the rollout of the French railway (SNCF)
in-train Internet access service to part of its network. The maritime business
using D-STAR terminals to connect ships at sea to high-speed internet saw
growth driven by the demand on cruise ships in the Mediterranean.
MULTIUSAGE (12.3 percent of revenues)
Revenues from Multiusage services stood at
EUR 36.2 million, up 25.9 percent. Demand for government services
remained strong, driven by the renewal of capacity from existing contracts as
well as new contracts signed during the quarter on satellites covering North
Africa and the Middle East.
By Telecomlead.com Team
editor@telecomlead.com
