Inmarsat PLC reported a profit of $31.3 million in the first half of 2006, down from a profit of $42.8 in the first half of 2005, the company reported Aug. 4. Revenues fell from $253.6 million in the first half of 2005 to $245.9 million in the most recent six months.

Maritime sector revenue improved 5 percent to $141 million in the period, which closed June 30, due to strong sales and use of Fleet products. The growth in the Fleet services helped data services revenues improve from $82.1 million in the first half of 2005 to $90.8 million in the same period in 2006. Voice business for the maritime sector slipped 3 percent to $50.2 million and has been hurt by the process of switching from analog to digital service, which Inmarsat hopes to complete by the end of 2007.

Revenue from the land sector fell from $65.8 million to $59.7 million primarily due to lower demand for services in the Middle East, which was offset partially by an increased demand for Regional-Broadband Global Area Network service triggered by the launch of the first two Inmarsat-4 satellites. Land voice revenue continues to slide due to competition from Mobile Satellite Service operators.

Aeronautical sector revenues jumped 36 percent to $14.4 million due to growth in the Swift64 service, as terminal activations were up more than 30 percent in the first half of 2006.

Leasing revenue fell from $31 million in the first half of 2005 to $27.3 million in the first half of 2006 due to the expiration of several short-term leases early in 2006.

“Our first half performance delivers solidly on our expectations that growth in our maritime data and aeronautical businesses would be sustained in 2006,” Andrew Sukawaty, Inmarsat’s chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “Importantly, we also saw improved trends during the half in both the maritime voice and land data sectors. With the prospect of an increasing contribution from BGAN and an improved outlook for leasing following the signing of new business late in the first half, we remain well-positioned to achieve our goals for the year.”