News Analysis

Singapore, May 10, 2013 — Singaporean telco StarHub has reported a 3 percent rise in Q1 net profit to US$73.24 million (S$91 million) compared with the same period a year ago. However, its group operating revenue for the period fell 2 percent to US$466.83 million (S$580 million) while EBITDA grew 3 percent to US$146.47 million (S$182 million) from US$142.45 million (S$177 million) previously.

Sydney, Australia,  May 9, 2013-- Mobile satellite communications company Inmarsat has acquired TC Communications Pty Ltd. based in Australia. Inmarsat will integrate the company into its existing operations with a particular focus on supporting its expanding Global Government and Enterprise Business Units, according to a company statement.

Washington, D.C., May 9, 2013 — Intelsat S.A. reported revenues of US$ 655.1 million and a net loss of US$ 7.8 million, or $0.09 per share, during the first quarter of 2013.  Intelsat also reported an EBITDA or earnings before net interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization, of US$ 496.8 million, and Adjusted EBITDA1 of US$ 505.8 million, or 77 percent of revenue, for the first quarter. The company said it has contracted backlog amounting to $10.4 billion at the end of the quarter.

Petah Tikva, Israel, May 8, 2013 — Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. said revenues rose 8 percent to US$ 82.8 million while EBITDA increased to US$ 5.1 million, up 74 percent, during the first quarter of 2013.

Longmont, Colo., May 8, 2013--DigitalGlobe, Inc. has reported first-quarter loss of $60.6 million or $0.96 per share, compared to a profit of $3.8 million or $0.08 per share in the same period last year. First quarter 2013 revenue increased 47 percent to $127.6 million, although it disappointed analysts who expected revenues of up to $136.80 million.

Paris, France, May 8, 2013 — Eutelsat Communications posted US$422.76 million (€322.9 million) revenues for the third quarter of fiscal year 2012-2013, up 4.6 percent, and recorded nine-month revenues of  US$1.25 billion (€956.5 million), up 5 percent from the same period last year.

El Segundo, Calif., May 7, 2013 —DirecTV increased its first quarter 2013 revenues by 8 percent to $7.58 billion beating analysts expectations, although net income was down $690 million or $1.20 per share compared to $731 million or $1.07 per share a year ago.

by Peter I. Galace

New Delhi, May 7, 2013 — India has renewed calls to attract foreign investments to upgrade its industries to world standards. But attracting greater capital from abroad will not be easy as unclear rules, corruption, and bribery remain a fixture in the Indian business and politics. This is especially true for telecom, broadcasting and ICT investor companies who have done business in the Asian subcontinent during the last half decade.

Ottawa, Canada,  May 3, 2013 — Telesat Holdings Inc.’s first-quarter revenues increased by 12 percent year-over-year to US$217 million (CAD 219 million) while EBITDA increased 12 percent to US$ 168 million (CAD 170 million).

McLean, VA., May 2, 2013 — Iridium Communications Inc. on Friday reported a net income of $14.9 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2013 compared to $12.4 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2012. Operational EBITDA for the first quarter was $46.8 million compared to $43.9 million for the prior-year period, representing year-over-year growth of 7 percent and an OEBITDA margin of 53 percent.