[Satellite Today 05-08-09] Hughes Communications closed the 2009 first quarter with 455,000 consumer broadband subscribers, adding 53,000 gross subscribers and 22,000 net subscribers in the first three months of the year, the company announced May 7.
First quarter revenue improved 1 percent to $240.2 million, with North America broadband sales contributing $165.6 million and international broadband business accounting for $44.9 million.
Despite the gains, Hughes posted a $4.7 million loss in the period, as operating income in North America fell from $5 million in the 2008 first quarter to $1.8 million in the most recent quarter.
    “I’m especially pleased with our performance in the consumer business as well as the steady growth in our broadband enterprise business. Our services revenue mix continues to grow very well and in line with our overall strategy. I continue to be optimistic about our near and long-term future,” Pradman Kaul, Hughes CEO, said in a statement