Intelsat Gains New EpicNG Commitments

Intelsat’s new McLean, Va. headquarters. Photo: Intelsat

[Via Satellite 10-30-2015] Intelsat reported signings of six additional contracts for its High Throughput Satellite (HTS) platform EpicNG during its third quarter 2015 earnings.

“These contracts span applications including enterprise, fixed and wireless infrastructure, media and mobility,” said Stephen Spengler, CEO of Intelsat. “Of the contracts we are disclosing today, one in particular represents a significant commitment by a global provider of broadband services that focuses on markets including the energy, government and cruise industries. This contract is the largest single commitment for broadband infrastructure ever received by Intelsat.”

Intelsat reported total revenue of $580.8 million and Earnings Before Net Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) of $452 million, or 78 percent of revenue, and Adjusted EBITDA of $458.1 million, or 79 percent of revenue, for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2015.

Intelsat’s launch schedule remains on track, with two media satellites, two Intelsat EpicNG satellites, and an Intelsat EpicNG payload expected to launch in the next year. The company’s average fill rate for its approximately 2,150 station-kept transponders was 75 percent at Sept. 30, 2015, as compared to approximately 2,200 station-kept transponders for the prior quarter of 2015. The decline in station-kept transponder count reflects the transition of Intelsat 10 to inclined orbit operations.