sieht gar nicht so schlecht aus ;o)
Link : http://www.apstar.com/apt_news/detail.asp?NewsID=286
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Hong Kong, September 11, 2006 -- 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-month period ended 30 June 2006 (the ¡°Period¡±).
The Group's turnover amounted to HK$ 207,996,000 for the six-month period ended 30 June 2006 (2005: HK$144,252,000). Loss attributable to shareholders amounted to HK$ 21,139,000 (2005: HK$10,390,000). Basic loss per share was HK 5.12 cents (2005: HK2.51 cents). The Board of the Company does not recommend any payment of interim dividend for the six months ended 30 June 2006 (2005: Nil).
Mr. Ni Yifeng, Executive Director and President of the Group, said, ¡°During the Period, competition in the transponder market in the region remained fierce. The commencement of operation of APSTAR VI in June 2005 did help to improve the Group's competitive edges in the market. During the Period, the utilization rates of APSTAR V and APSTAR VI were 69.9% and 40.4%, respectively.
During the Period, the Group's in-orbit satellites, together with their corresponding telemetry, tracking and control systems, have been operating under normal condition. APSTAR VI, a high-power satellite located at 134¡ãE, 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. With a sound customer base of CCTV and other renowned Chinese broadcasters and thereby commanding a strong neighborhood effect, APSTAR VI is expected to become one of the most popular multilingual and multicultural satellite platforms in the Asia Pacific region.
APSTAR V, located at 138¡ãE orbital slot, is another high-power satellite of the Group. Its 38 C-band transponders cover China, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands, Guam and Hawaii, while its 16 Ku-band transponders cover mainly China, India, and Korea. 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.
Mr. Ni said, ¡°The commencement of operations of APSTAR V and APSTAR VI have enabled the Group to provide the latest advanced and comprehensive satellite communication and broadcasting services to its customers, thereby improving the Group's competitiveness in the market.¡±
Meanwhile, the Group has endeavoured to extend its market reach. APT Satellite Company Limited, a subsidiary of the Group, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Intelsat Limited (¡°Intelsat¡±) in December 2005. The agreement allows Intelsat to access the Asia Pacific market through the Group's satellites of APSTAR V and APSTAR VI, while the Group will have access to Intelsat's satellite capacity. As part of the alliance, the two companies have also agreed to explore additional growth initiatives such as IPTV and uplink services in the Asia Pacific region, including China.
"The formation of the strategic alliance with Intelsat will significantly strengthen the Group's market reach, thereby enabling us to provide more comprehensive services to our customers,¡± Mr. Ni said.
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 broadcasting and uplink services under the Satellite TV Uplink and Downlink License. As at 30 June 2006, APT TV uplinked and broadcasted up to 64 satellite TV channels for broadcasters in the Asia Pacific region, representing an increase of approximately 21% as compared to the year-end of 2005. Together with its satellite telecommunications services and data center services, the Group is now poised to provide ¡°one-stop¡± services, expanding its customer base and enhancing its competitiveness.
As to future prospects, Mr. Ni commented, ¡°The economic growth in the Asia Pacific region including China will continue to drive the demand of transponders in 2006. We expect steady growth in new customers and transponder utilizations, as well as in our telecommunications or broadcasting businesses. However, market competition and price pressure due to over-supply of transponders will still be a concern. The Group expects that APSTAR V and APSTAR VI will continue to boost the competitive edges and expand the market shares of the Group in the second half of 2006.¡±
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About APT Satellite Holdings Limited
APT SATELLITE HOLDINGS LIMITED (the ¡°Group¡±) is listed on both The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Having started its operation in 1992, the Group provides high-quality services in satellite transponders, satellite communications and broadcasting services for the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors in Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States. The Group currently operates the APSTAR system, including APSTAR V, APSTAR VI, and APSTAR IIR, through its own Satellite Control Center in Tai Po, Hong Kong. In line with its business development strategies, the Group has established its satellite TV broadcasting platform. Together with its satellite telecommunications services and data center services, the Group provides reliable ¡°one-stop¡± satellite broadcasting services and telecommunications services to customers. The Group endeavors to leverage the advantages of strategic alliances with its business partners for future growth. For more information, please visit www.apstar.com.
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Brian Lo APT Satellite Holdings Limited Tel: (852) 2600 2336 Email: investors@apstar.com Mobile: (852) 9185 2239 Fax: (852) 2522 0419
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