[Satellite Today 05-11-09] Inmarsat reported profits of $39.1 million in its 2009 first quarter, an increase of more than 35 percent from the previous year, the company announced May 7.
Inmarsat’s revenues increased 10 percent to $163.4 million, with maritime revenues increasing 2.3 percent,  driven by an 11 percent growth in active terminals sales. Land mobile sector revenue improved nearly 11 percent due to BEGAN growth, and aeronautical services jumped 32 percent compared to the same quarter a year ago due to adoption of the Swift 64 service.
    “We have been able to sustain growth in maritime revenues despite the challenges facing the global shipping industry. With these factors in mind, we remain confident in our revenue growth objectives for the full year,” CEO Andrew Sukawaty said in a statement.
    Separately, Inmarsat announced the appointment of Janice Obuchowski as an additional non-executive director to its board.
    Obuchowski, who also sits on the board of Orbital Sciences and CSG Systems, previously served as assistant secretary for communications and information at the U.S. Department of Commerce leading the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under former President George H. W. Bush.