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For the year Intelsat reported revenues of $992.0 million, and
net income of $274.1 million. The company reported EBITDA as adjusted,
or earnings before interest, other income, taxes, depreciation and
amortization (EBITDA) of $713.6 million or 72 per cent of revenue.
Excluding $34.4 million in contract termination expenses, EBITDA
was $748.0 million or 75 per cent of revenue.
Specific achievements include:
- Taking advantage of distressed telecom asset values, built a
global network of teleports, points-of-presence, and fiber connections
that complements Intelsat's global satellite system, and introduced
GlobalConnexsm Solutions services on this hybrid infrastructure
- Completed the build out of a global sales and marketing organisation,
now comprising offices in 13 key markets around the world, and added
key resources to increase focus on the broadcasting market segment;
- Successfully placed the Intelsat 903, 904, 905, and 906 satellites
into orbit, followed by the successful launch of the Intelsat 907
satellite on February 15, 2003, completing the Intelsat IX series
launch programme and continuing Intelsat's legacy of engineering
and operational excellence.
CEO Intelsat Conny Kullman said,"In 2002, Intelsat confronted significant
marketplace obstacles. This posed a challenge to meeting our financial
goals, but the company still delivered its 29th consecutive year
of profitability. Our three-year, $2.3 billion satellite fleet renewal
programme is nearing its end, and our global satellite fleet now
enjoys an average remaining life of 11.0 years-one of the youngest
and most technically advanced in the industry.
With reduced capital expense requirements going forward, we enter
2003 with a $4.0 billion backlog, and a truly global platform in
terms of customer base, network reach and breadth of services. While
near-term market conditions are expected to remain difficult, Intelsat
maintains a strong balance sheet and a highly profitable business
model that enable the company to execute fully on its business strategies
and position it to generate growth as market conditions improve."
In focusing its resources to capture market share in the video
segment, the company is looking to build upon its growing base including
the eight DTH platforms and 350 channels broadcast by the Intelsat
system today. Intelsat recently announced Occasional Video Solutions,
state-of-the-art network facilities that combine sophisticated value-added
video services with Intelsat's hybrid ground and satellite system,
targeting broadcasters who require local connectivity on a global
scale.
Kullman continued elaborating on the strategy thus, "Our recently
announced planned investments in North American broadband services
company WildBlue Communications, Inc., and DTH television provider
Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting Limited in Hong Kong, are examples
of our strategy to make modest investments in fixed satellite services-related
businesses that we believe represent the best growth opportunities
in the industry.
We see these investments, which may also include organic growth
initiatives, as keeping Intelsat at the forefront of important innovations
that will drive demand for satellite services in the future. Lastly,
we continue to believe that consolidation is inevitable in our industry.
As one of the largest and most financially sound satellite services
providers, Intelsat has the size, scale and resources to evaluate
and pursue the opportunities that make optimal strategic and financial
sense."
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