|
Achieving Turn-around Profits, Still Faced with Keen Market Competition
Hong Kong, 7 September, 2007 -- APT Satellite Holdings Limited (together with its subsidiaries known as "the Group") (HKEx stock code: 1045; NYSE stock code: ATS), a provider of high-quality satellite transponder, telecommunications and broadcasting services in Asia Pacific, today announced its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2007 (the "Period").
The Group's turnover amounted to HK$230,685,000 for the Period (2006: HK$207,996,000). Profit attributable to equity shareholders amounted to HK$5,023,000 (2006: loss attributable to equity shareholders HK$21,139,000). Basic earnings per share was HK1.22 cents (2006: loss per share HK5.12 cents). The Board of the Company has resolved not to declare any payment of interim dividend for the six months ended 30 June 2007 (2006: Nil).
Mr. Ni Yifeng, Executive Director and President of the Group, said, "The Group's five satellites, APSTAR V, APSTAR VI, APSTAR IIR, APSTAR I and APSTAR IA, together with their corresponding telemetry, tracking and control systems, have been operating under normal condition during the Period. The commencement of APSTAR VI has further strengthened the Group's competitive edge amidst market competition. As of 30 June 2007, the utilization rates of APSTAR V and APSTAR VI were at 67%, and 66% respectively."
APSTAR VI, a high-power satellite located at 134oE, is equipped with 38 C-band transponders and 12 Ku-band transponders, of which its C-band transponders cover China, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, South Pacific Islands, Guam and Hawaii, while its Ku-band transponders serve mainly the China market. Its utilization has been increased to 66% as at 30 June 2007 from 40.4% for the same period in 2006, indicating that the satellite has been well received by customers and the improved competitive edge of APT in the region.
APSTAR V, located at 138oE orbital slot, is another high-power satellite of the Group. Its 38 C-band transponders cover China, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, South Pacific Islands, Guam and Hawaii, while its 16 Ku-band transponders cover mainly China and India. APSTAR V supports various transponder services including DTH broadcasting, Internet and VSAT services within Asia while providing inter-connections between the United States and major Asian cities. APSTAR V has recorded a utilization rate of 67% as at 30 June 2007.
Mr Ni said, "Both APSTAR V and APSTAR VI have provided the latest advanced and comprehensive satellite communication and broadcasting services to customers. An effective improvement of transponder resources and a strengthening of the Group's market competitiveness have boosted the Group's sales of transponder services in the Asia Pacific region."
Two new satellites were launched consecutively in June 2007 and July 2007 for the China market. As a result, market competition in the China market is more intense than before. While APT has been transferring the transmission of satellite television programs at the request of some customers, it has also obtained new customers, and so the Group's revenue will not be adversely affected by such transfer.
The Group provides satellite TV uplink and broadcasting services through APT Satellite TV Development Limited ("APT TV"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group, and has successfully established a satellite TV broadcasting platform to provide br |
