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Eutelsat’s first half revenue up 6.4 per cent
MUMBAI: European satellite operator Eutelsat has reported results for the first half ended 31 December, 2005. Revenue was up 6.4 per cent at 395 million euros
It managed to attain operating free cash flow at 155 million euros. The company also said that it improved its financial flexibility improved.
Key business highlights:
— Momentum gained in data and value-added services, increased demand from video applications
— Strategy validated by new contracts
— Visibility further enhanced: backlog up 29 per cent to 4.0 billion euros, representing 5.3 years of sales
— Fill rate of satellites stands at 76.6 per cent
Video Applications revenue rose by 1.3 per cent reflecting notably the continuous increase of TV channels broadcast by Eutelsat (+75 channels growth from 30 June to 31 December 2005). With a limited number of analogue channels (14 as of December 31, 2005), the group has almost completed the transition towards digital broadcasting.
Only seven per cent of video capacity is still in analogue. Data services revenue was up 7.9 per cent, notably due to strong growth in value-added services (+25.8 per cent), reflecting business development with corporate and institutional customers and sustained activity in emerging countries. Multi-usage leases increased by 4.2 per cent owing principally to a more favourable dollar/euro exchange rate.
Eutelsat says that its operational performance validates the growth strategy defined by the group to maximise revenue per transponder for Western Europe and emerging markets through consolidation of the group’s leadership position in video services by developing video neighbourhoods in addition to the Hot Bird neighbourhood to serve growing markets such as Africa and Russia and Eastern Europe (16 degrees East). The company is also deploying and developing broadband solutions.
Eutelsat CEO Giuliano Berretta said, “These results reflect our ability to deliver a strong financial and operational performance and to achieve an EBITDA margin of more than 78 per cent. With new contracts secured for video broadcasting and value-added services, we continue to see growth across our key business applications, which increases our backlog by nearly 30 per cent to four billion euros. This is equivalent to more than five years of revenue.
“In addition, the success of our Initial Public Offering, together with our sustained cash flow generation, has allowed us to reduce our indebtedness by some 915 million euros, adding flexibility to finance our development plan. Given the robustness of the first half performance, I am confident in our ability not only to increase our revenue growth objective for 2005-2006 to 2.5 per cent, but also to raise to above 4.5 per cent our compound annual revenue growth rate projection for the following three fiscal years, with the acceleration of the
procurement of Hot Bird 9 and the relocation of Hot Bird 3 following the launch of Hot Bird 8.
“Eutelsat has established its unique competitive presence with its high-quality customer base and leading market share positions in Western Europe and emerging markets in Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. I am sure that Eutelsat Communications is, and will continue to be the Fixed Satellite Services provider of choice, as we continue to invest in our first-class fleet in order to consistently offer the right satellites for the right markets,” adds Berretta.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
