[Satellite TODAY 02-17-10] Norwegian operator Telenor posted an increase in net profits in its 2009 fourth quarter, reporting earnings of $420 million, up from its $332 million in 2008, according to results released Feb. 16.
    Results were driven by profits generated by business affiliates in Russia and Ukraine, which increased to $136 million from $33.8 million in the same period of 2008, which resulted in increased dividends paid to Telenor.
    In 2009, Telenor merged telecoms Kyivstar in the Ukraine with OAO Vimpel Communications (VIP) in Russia, ending a costly legal battle between the two companies and enabling them to generate profits.
    Despite the profit boost, fourth quarter sales slipped to $4.1 billion, down from $4.4 billion in 2008, due to increased investment in the rollout of services in India. Telenor said it looks to offset these losses in 2010 with tighter cost-control measures.
   “We expect market recovery in Asia, while Central and Eastern Europe remain challenging,” Telenor CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas said in a statement.

Related Stories-

NSS-12 Enters Service   Satellite Today   January 20, 2010
[Satellite TODAY 01-20-10] NSS-12 has entered into commercial service, SES World Skies announced Jan. 18. NSS-12, manufactured by Space Systems/Loral (SSL) and placed at 57 degrees East, aims to deliver DTH service through four regional…

Kanal Official Faces Decision on Bringing HD to Viewers in Sweden   Via Satellite   January 1, 2010
Kanal 5 and Kanal 9 are two of the biggest commercial FTA TV channels in Sweden. Kanal 5, broadcast out of the United Kingdom, targets an audience between 15-44 years of age and reaches 87 percent of the Swedish population via satellite…

Thor 6 Satellite Completes In-Orbit Testing   Satellite Today   December 16, 2009
[Satellite TODAY 12-16-09] Telenor Satellite Broadcasting s (TSB) Thor 6 satellite has completed all necessary in-orbit and ground related testing will begin commercial service in late December, the operator announced Dec. 15.