Inmarsat posted a profit of $14.8 million in its 2006 first quarter on revenues of $121.7 million, the company announced May 17. In the same period a year ago, the mobile communications provider earned a profit of $22.6 million on revenues of $127.4 million.

Revenues from mobile satellite communication services were $119.9 million, down from $121.1 million a year ago. Revenues in the maritime sector improved from $66.2 million in the first quarter of 2005 to $69.1 million in the most recent three-month period. Inmarsat attributed the growth to strength in data services, which was offset by a decrease in voice revenues.

Land sector revenues fell from $35 million in the first quarter of 2005 to $30 million in the first quarter of 2006 due to the decline in BGAN high-speed data traffic following a reduction in traffic in the Middle East and competition from VSAT services.

Growth in the use of Switf64 high-speed data services in the government aircraft and business jet markets helped Inmarsat’s aeronautical sector post a revenue gain of $1.6 million to $7 million in the first quarter of 2006. Leasing revenues slipped from $14.5 million to $13.8 million in the first quarter of 2006 due to short-term leases not being renewed.

“Our overall revenue performance for the first quarter was solid and met our expectations, despite some weakness in leasing revenues,” Andrew Sukawaty, Inmarsat’s chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “… We see the first quarter performance as fully consistent with our 2006 outlook and with continued positive feedback from potential BGAN end customers, we feel well positioned to meet our goals for the year.”

BGAN service was launched in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia in December, and Inmarsat received approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission March 12 to launch the service in the United States.