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EUTELSAT COMMUNICATIONS THIRD QUARTER 2010-2011 REVENUES INCREASE 10%

FULL YEAR 2010-2011 REVENUE EXPECTATIONS REVISED UPWARD



Paris, May 10, 2011 – Eutelsat Communications (ISIN: FR0010221234 - Euronext Paris: ETL), one of the world’s leading satellite operators, today published its financial report for the third quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2011.


Revenues by business application:


3rd quarter ended March 31

Change

9 months ended March 31

Change

In millions of euros

2010

2011

in %

2010

2011

In %

Video Applications

189.6

198.5

+4.7

551.0

590.5

+7.2

Data & Value Added Services

52.0

58.9

+13.3

148.4

175.7

+18.4

Multi-usage

25.1

32.6

+29.9

69.6

90.0

+29.3

Other revenues

0.7

3.2

NM

3.4

10.1

NM

Subtotal

267.4

293.2

+9.6

772.3

866.3

+12.2

Non-recurring revenues

0.9

2.0

NM

4.0

4.7

NM

Total

268.3

295.2

+10.0

776.3

871.0

+12.2


Commenting on the Group’s third quarter 2010-2011 revenues, Michel de Rosen, CEO of Eutelsat Communications, said:

We are delighted to report third quarter revenue growth of 10%. This growth was driven by further strong momentum in all our markets; an exceptionally strong contribution from our Multi-usage activity as demand from government agencies was high; and by the continued optimisation of our in-orbit resources, with the fill rate standing at above 90% since 31st December 2010. We are raising our objective for the full year and now expect to deliver revenues of over €1,160 million. Looking ahead, demand remains strong in all of our regions and our significant fleet expansion plan in the coming years will ensure that we are well-positioned to capture this growth.”


THIRD QUARTER REVENUE ANALYSIS


Note: Unless otherwise stated, all growth indicators or comparisons are made against the third quarter of the previous fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. The share of each application as a percentage of total revenues is calculated excluding “Other revenues and Non-recurring revenues”.


Eutelsat Communications reported excellent third quarter and nine month revenues, with growth fuelled by all of its activities, which continued to benefit from the in-orbit resources launched over the past two years.

Revenues rose 10% (9.5% at constant currencies) in the third quarter. This growth is a reflection of the sustained high fill rate of its fleet, at over 90% since December 31, 2010; a strong commercial performance; as well as excellent operational efficiency which helped to optimise the allocation of orbital resources to the most dynamic markets. The quarter also benefited from “other” and “non-recurring” revenues, notably, the favourable effect from currency hedging contracts and a late satellite delivery penalty credit. The Video Applications business grew by nearly 5%, while Data and Value-Added Services and Multi-usage each reported double-digit growth, despite comparisons to a strong previous year.


VIDEO APPLICATIONS (68.4% of revenues1)

Revenues from Video Applications rose 4.7% to €198.5 million.

Eutelsat continued to execute its strategy of reinforcing video neighbourhoods throughout its coverage zone, further underscoring the importance that satellites hold in the broadcast value chain.

The Group’s flagship video neighbourhood, HOT BIRD™, occupying the orbital position 13° East, used by 15 television platforms in Europe, parts of the Middle East and North Africa, reinforced its leadership position in the third quarter. Contracts signed during the quarter included one with Italy’s pre-eminent network operator, to support broadcast of its TV channels via the DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) network, as Italy transitions to a fully digital broadcast environment.

Two other key video neighbourhoods attracted new customers. At the 16° East position, notably covering Central Europe, the leading telecom operator in Croatia selected Eutelsat to optimise the footprint of its TV platform in areas beyond its DSL network, particularly in the Adriatic archipelago. Elsewhere, one of Russia’s principal suppliers of uplinking services for pay-TV platforms and channels selected Eutelsat’s video neighbourhood at 36° East, the leading orbital position serving Russia, to launch a new platform.

Video Applications continues to benefit from positive long-term global trends including the growing number of homes equipped for DTH-TV (Direct-to-Home TV) and the increasing number of TV channels worldwide. At March 31, 2011, Eutelsat’s satellites carried 3,835 channels, up from 3,539, a year earlier, an increase of 8.4%. The number of HD channels broadcast by the fleet stood at 210, up from 120, an increase of 75% over the previous twelve months.


DATA and VALUE-ADDED SERVICES (20.3% of revenues)

Revenues from Data and Value-Added Services stood at €58.9 million, rising 13.3%.

As in previous quarters, Data Services revenues delivered double-digit growth (+15.6%) to €47.3 million, highlighting the quality of Eutelsat’s coverage of strategic information routes between North America, Europe, Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East.

New commercial activity, particularly on four of Eutelsat’s satellites, reflected the continued strong demand for Data Services:


Value-added Services recorded growth of 4.7% to €11.5 million. This activity covers broadband access solutions for consumers and professionals. The new generation Tooway™ broadband offer is on track for availability by mid-2011 with the entry into service of Eutelsat’s KA-SAT, Europe’s first High Throughput Satellite.


MULTI-USAGE (11.3% of revenues)

Revenues from Multi-usage services rose 29.9% to €32.6 million on the back of stronger-than-anticipated demand from governments, notably to serve regions in Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, with new short term contracts signed. The Eutelsat fleet is particularly well-placed to respond to periodic peaks in demand from users of Multi-usage services in these regions.


OTHER AND NON-RECURRING REVENUES

Other revenues of €3.2 million related primarily to gains on foreign exchange hedging contracts as well as some technical service revenues. Non-recurring revenues included indemnities with respect to penalties for late satellite delivery.

 

YEAR-TO-DATE REVENUE (9 months ending March 31, 2011) AND FY 2010-2011 OUTLOOK


At €871.0 million, year-to-date revenues were up 12.2% (10.2% at constant currencies) compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Following the strong performance of the third quarter, particularly in Multi-usage, as well as the sustained dynamism of Eutelsat’s markets over the first nine-months, the Group now expects its full year 2010-2011 revenues to be above €1,160 million, compared to the previous objective of above €1,120 million.


IN-ORBIT renewal and expansion programME -- DRIVING LONGER TERM GROWTH


Pursuing an ambitious expansion strategy in targeted, dynamic markets, the Group will benefit from the entry into service of three satellites: KA-SAT (launched on December 26, 2010), W3C and ATLANTIC BIRD™ 7, both due to be launched later in 2011.

An additional four satellites are currently under construction: W6A, W5A, EUROBIRD™ 2A and W3D. These satellites are scheduled to be launched between September 2012 and June 2013.

 

Recent EVENTS

 

 

* * *

Financial calendar

The financial calendar below is provided for information purposes only. It is subject to change and will be regularly updated. Note publication of results will be after close of market unless otherwise indicated.

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A. With capacity commercialised on 27 satellites that provide coverage over the entire European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa, India and significant parts of Asia and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite operators in terms of revenues. At March 31, 2011, Eutelsat’s satellites were broadcasting more than 3,800 television channels to over 200 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Group’s satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications services, TV contribution markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets for Internet Service Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight markets. Eutelsat's broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates access to high speed Internet services through teleports in France and Italy that serve enterprises, local communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ 700 commercial, technical and operational employees from 28 countries.



www.eutelsat.com

For further information



Press



Vanessa O’Connor 

Tel. : + 33 1 53 98 37 91

voconnor@eutelsat.fr

Frédérique Gautier 

Tel. : + 33 1 53 98 37 91 

fgautier@eutelsat.fr

Investors & Analysts



Lisa Finas 

Tel. : +33 1 53 98 35 30

investors@eutelsat-communications.com

Appendix

Revenue breakdown by application (in percentage of revenues)*


3 months ended 31 March

9 months ended 31 March


2010

2011

2010

2011

Video Applications

71.1%

68.4%

71.7%

69.0%

Data & Value-Added Services

19.5%

20.3%

19.3%

20.5%

……..of which Data Services

15.3%

16.3%

15.0%

16.4%

…….of which Value-Added Services

4.1%

4.0%

4.3%

4.1%

Multi-usage

9.4%

11.3%

9.0%

10.5%

Total

100%

100%

100%

100%

*excluding other revenues and one-off revenues (€1.6 million in Q3 2009-2010, €5.2 million in Q3 2010-2011 and €7.4 million year-to-date 2009-2010, €14.8 million year-to-date 2010-2011 ).

Quarterly revenues by business application


2009 - 2010

2010-2011

In millions of euros

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Video Applications

180.8

180.6

189.6

191.0

195.5

196.5

198.5

Data & Value-Added Services

47.7

48.7

52.0

55.3

58.9

58.0

58.9

Data Services

36.9

37.3

40.9

42.2

47.2

45.9

47.3

Value-Added Services

10.7

11.5

11.0

13.1

11.7

12.1

11.5

Multi-usage

22.9

21.5

25.1

28.6

28.8

28.6

32.6

Other Revenues

1.7

1.0

0.7

(4.0)

2.4

4.5

3.2

Subtotal

253.0

251.8

267.4

270.9

285.6

287.5

293.2

Non-recurring Revenues

--

3.2

0.9

--

--

2.7

2.0

Total

253.0

255.0

268.3

270.9

285.6

290.2

295.2

Estimated satellite launch schedule

Satellite

Estimated launch

Transponders

W3C

September 2011

53 Ku/3 Ka

ATLANTIC BIRD™ 7

September – December 2011

50 Ku

W6A

September – November 2012

40 Ku

W5A

October – December 2012

48 Ku

W3D

January – March 2013

53 Ku/3 Ka

EUROBIRD™ 2A*

April – June 2013

16 Ku/7 Ka

Note: Satellites generally enter into service one to two months after launch.

* Partnership satellite with ictQATAR, transponders indicated for Eutelsat portion only



1 Revenues (€290.0 million Q3 2010-11 and €856.2 million 9-months 2010-11) exclude “Other revenues” and “Non-recurring revenues”.

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