Eutelsat Communications has increased net income by 18.5% and added 3.4% to its revenues as the Paris-based satellite operator reported its first half results ending December 31, 2007. The company reported an EBITDA of €349.2 million, an increase of 5.9%, on revenues of €429.4m.
Chairman and CEO Giuliano Berretta highlighted the “remarkable success” of the operator’s new video neighbourhood at 9 degrees East and announced plans to expand the 7 degrees East neighbourhood that has been the subject of interference claims with SES-Sirius. “This commercial success and the very favourable outlook for our markets lead us to revise upward our financial objectives for the current fiscal year,” he said. “We have also decided to expand our investment programme with the addition of a seventh satellite to our launch programme to the end of 2010. The W3B satellite is aimed at consolidating the success of our 7 degrees East neighbourhood, which already broadcasts 200 channels.”
The new satellite will be co-positioned with W3A and increase the available capacity at the neighbourhood by close to 50% as well as providing back-up for W3A.