Hughes Communications Inc. lost $4.4 million in its 2006 second quarter after taking a charge for the write-off of equipment related to its June decision to shift its primary business focus to the broadband market, Hughes announced Aug. 11.

Hughes recorded an $11.9 million charge to reduce the net book value of its narrowband products. The charge was included in cost of hardware products sold and primarily relates to the company’s VSAT segment. Excluding the charge, Hughes would have posted a profit of $7.5 million, up for a profit of $4.1 million in the 2005 second quarter.

Hughes reported revenues of $208.5 million in the 2006 second quarter, which closed June 30, up from a revenues of $200 million in the 2005 second quarter.