[Satellite Today 05-14-09] Intelsat’s revenues rose 10 percent to $631.8 million, according to the operator’s first quarter 2009 financial results released May 13.
    Intelsat also saw a wider first-quarter loss of $557.6 million from $412.7 million the previous year, over a $499.1 million write-down, the company said.
    Intelsat CEO David McGlade said he was pleased with the performance in the quarter and noted that the company is increasingly moving to long-term contracts, highlighting a deal in April to provide communication services for Australia’s military over a 15-year period.
    "Our strategy for long-term growth includes building new revenue streams on satellites that are designed to optimize capacity … Overall, our business is steady in a slower economic environment, and our solid $8.7 billion backlog and recent business activity provide strong visibility for 2009 and beyond," said McGlade, in a statement.
    Intelsat’s backlog of $8.7 billion represents a $100 million drop from the same period in 2008.