[Satellite TODAY Insider 03-28-11] AsiaSat reported a 25 percent increase in its full-year 2010 revenues at $187.31 million compared with its prior year results. The improved performance drove $89.16 million in profits for the operator by the end of the year, AsiaSat announced in its latest financial results issued March 24.
    AsiaSat’s utilization rate for transponders across its fleet increased 8 percent during 2009 to reach 73 percent.
    The operator’s two-way satellite broadband service subsidiary SpeedCast also enjoyed a healthy year, with full-year 2010 revenues reaching $26.43 million – an increase of more than 21 percent compared with the same stage last year. SpeedCast’s 2010 net profits jumped 60 percent to $2.95 million.
    SpeedCast CEO Pierre-Jean Beylier told Satellite TODAY Insider that the operator expects even stronger growth in 2011. "We see key contributors continuing to be maritime and growth in value-added-service sales, as well as Middle East and Africa regions."
    It was a busy year for the regional operator. AsiaSat CEO William Wade took over for former CEO Peter Jackson halfway through 2010 as the company was planning the launch of its AsiaSat-7 satellite with ILS for late 2011. AsiaSat-7 is configured as a replacement for one of the operator’s flagship satellites, AsiaSat-3S, located at 105.5 degrees East. Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) will manufacture AsiaSat-7 with C- and Ku-band transponders, designed for a lifespan of 15 years.
    Wade previously told Satellite TODAY Insider that with the company in a strong financial position, it may be in the market for acquisitions to boost its market position in Asia. "People have been talking about consolidation in Asia for a long time. The climate has not been conducive for it, mainly from a political standpoint, but I think the region is looking more attractive now so we are looking at potential targets."

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